News Release

IWV Campus

Cerro Coso Offers New Degree in Theatre

August 29, 2006

Cerro Coso Community College is pleased to announce its newest degree program in Theatre. Although the College has been offering theatre courses for years, students are now able to work toward an Associate of Arts Degree in Theatre: Acting. The degree will prepare students to transfer to colleges and universities offering bachelor's degrees in Theatre/Dramatic Arts. The program will also offer community members opportunities for continuing education, cultural enrichment, and creative expression. Additionally, courses in the program will continue to fulfill requirements in the Fine Arts, General Education, Humanities, and Web Design programs.
The Theatre Degree is a performance-based degree with a required minimum of 22 units in core theatre courses. Required courses include Introduction to Play Reading or Introduction to Theatre, Fundamentals of Acting, Beginning Acting, Intermediate Acting, Advanced Acting or Directing, Voice for the Actor, Movement for the Actor, and Theatre Production or Shakespeare Theatre Production. Elective courses include Improvisation, Technical Theatre, Performance Studies, and Creative Drama.

The College is offering several Theatre courses this semester. Whether you are a seasoned performer or just starting out in theatre, Cerro Coso has an acting course for you. The College will offer four levels of Acting Courses, including Fundamentals of Acting (THEA C111), Beginning Acting (THEA C112), Intermediate Acting (THEA C211), and Advanced Acting (THEA C212). The Acting Courses will culminate in a final public showcase.

For those interested in a less structured performance, the College is once again offering the Improvisation Course (THEA C118). Students in the Improvisation Course will develop creativity and spontaneity through fun class activities. Students will showcase their improv skills in public performances. Enroll now to be a part of the hilarious and popular "Who Said What Now?" Improv Troupe.

The College is also offering Voice for the Actor (THEA C145) this semester. Students in the Voice Course will learn relaxation, breathing, and vocal techniques to enhance clarity and expressiveness for performance. Students will also develop skills in vocal characterization and the use of dialects.

Cerro Coso's Theatre Production class will hold auditions the first week of classes for the College's Fall Production of Tina Howe's contemporary comedy MUSEUM. MUSEUM takes place on the final day of a group show of three fictitious contemporary artists being exhibited in a major museum of modern art. Over the course of a day, some forty people walk through the show: art lovers, skeptics, foreigners, students, lost souls, fellow artists, and of course, museum guards. This impromptu gathering of strangers creates some interesting chance encounters. Hilarious, touching and disturbing scenes ensue.

There are over forty parts in the play, with roles for both beginning and advanced actors. No experience is necessary. All interested are encouraged to join the Theatre Production Course (THEA C121). Those interested in working behind the scenes on MUSEUM can sign up for the Technical Theatre Course (THEA C131). Students in the Technical Theatre class will get hands-on experience in areas of technical production including set design, lighting, sound, costuming, makeup and publicity, to name a few. Artists and those with experience in artistic display are especially encouraged to join to the class.

Cerro Coso also has a Drama Club offering the students additional opportunities to perform, socialize, and learn about the theatre and entertainment industries. It's not too late to enroll for Fall Theatre Courses and start working on the new Theatre degree! For more information about Cerro Coso's Theatre Degree or Courses, contact Melinda Fogle Oliver in the College Theatre Department at (760) 384-6114.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Public Information (760) 384-6230