Theatre Arts Track
The Theatre Arts Track at Mount Wachusett Community College provides students with the opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a baccalaureate degree. The Theatre Arts Track offers a student the opportunity to explore the performing arts while completing a core curriculum used for transfer. Students will gain knowledge in a variety of disciplines including math, science, the humanities and the social sciences.
Theatre Arts Track (LAT)
A Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
This program places special emphasis on the performing arts and is an excellent foundation for transfer to theatre and music programs at four-year colleges and universities. Students will benefit from involvement in Theatre at the Mount’s extensive season of plays.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENG 101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| MAT 143 or 163 | Statistics or Pre-Calculus (or higher) | 3-4 |
| THE 101 | Fundamentals Of Acting | 3 |
| Behavioral Social Science Elective 1 | 3 | |
| THE 184 | Technical Theatre Practicum I (Formerly THE284) | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | College Writing II | 3 |
| Lab Science Elective 2 | 4 | |
| MUS 111 | Voice I | 3 |
| THE 185 | Technical Theatre Practicum II (Formerly THE 285) | 3 |
| THE 103 | Introduction To Theatre | 3 |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| SPC 113 | Speech (formerly THE113) | 3 |
| DAN 120 | Musical Theater Dance Styles (formerly MUS120) | 3 |
| ENG 236 | Modern Drama (or Literature Elective -- see list below) | 3 |
| Music/Theatre/Dance Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 290 | Advanced Writing and Research | 3 |
| THE 106 | Fundamentals Of Acting II | 3 |
| World Language or Culturally Diverse Humanities Elective (see list below) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Culturally Diverse Non-behavioral Social Science Elective (see list below) | 3 | |
| Total Credits: | 61-62 | |
- 1
Behavioral Social Science Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation.
- 2
Lab Science Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation.
- 3
Science Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation.
- 4
Any MUS, THE or DAN course.
Literature Electives
| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENG 203 | Twentieth Century American Authors | 3 |
| ENG 205 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG 213 | American Literature I | 3 |
| ENG 214 | American Literature II | 3 |
| ENG 221 | Women's Literature | 3 |
| ENG 224 | Mystery Fiction | 3 |
| ENG 233 | Science Fiction | 3 |
| ENG 235 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| ENG 237 | Queer Voices in Literature | 3 |
| ENG 252 | Shakespeare and Star Wars: A Study of Tragedy through Drama and Film | 3 |
| ENG 261 | The Short Story | 3 |
World Language or Culturally Diverse Humanities Electives
| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| ASL - Any American Sign Language course | 3 | |
| ART 109 | Art History I | 3 |
| ART 110 | Art History II | 3 |
| ART 251 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 252 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 259 | Ceramics I | 3 |
| ART 263 | Drawing I | 3 |
| DAN 133 | Hip Hop/Street Dance Foundation | 3 |
| ENG 221 | Women's Literature | 3 |
| ENG 235 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| ENG 236 | Modern Drama | 3 |
| ENG 237 | Queer Voices in Literature | 3 |
| ENG 261 | The Short Story | 3 |
| FRE - Any French course | 3 | |
| HUM 240 | Comparative Religion | 3 |
| HUM 260 | The Art Of Being Human I | 3 |
| MUS 106 | History Of Jazz | 3 |
| MUS 160 | History of Rock and Roll | 3 |
| PHL 201 | Introduction To Philosophical Issues | 3 |
| PHL 210 | Levels Of Being | 3 |
| PHL 250 | Moral Philosophy | 3 |
| SPA - Any Spanish course | 3 | |
Culturally Diverse Non-Behavioral Social Science Electives
| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| GEO 129 | World And Cultural Geography | 3 |
| HIS 105 | History Of World Civilization I | 3 |
| HIS 106 | History Of World Civilization II | 3 |
| HIS 125 | American Ethnic History | 3 |
See Theatre Arts program student learning outcomes and technical standards.
Student Success Tips
Eligible LAT students should consider entering MWCC’s Honors Program. Honors Program students benefit from a challenging, highly individualized academic experience; a tuition waiver during the final semester; active recruitment by four-year colleges and universities; and the use of the Honors Center. Also, because of the program’s Commonwealth Honors Program status, all MWCC Honors courses are transferable as honors courses within the Massachusetts public higher education system; and MWCC graduates are guaranteed acceptance into the Honors Programs of these colleges and universities. See the Honors Program for more information.
Transfer Options
For transfer options, please click here. It is recommended that you also consult with your academic advisor.
MassTransfer
Students who plan to transfer to a Massachusetts state university or a University of Massachusetts campus may be eligible to transfer under the MassTransfer agreement, which provides transfer advantages to those who qualify.
Please click here for MassTransfer information.
Special Requirements
Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.
Program Student Learning Outcomes for LAT
Upon graduation from this program, students shall have the ability to:
- Formulate clear and precise questions about complex problems and ideas relevant to a variety of disciplines—math, science, the humanities, and the social sciences—and gather, assess, and interpret information to arrive at well-reasoned conclusions and solutions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of complex written texts that demand an appreciation of subtext, irony, metaphor, and the subtlety and nuances of language.
- Successfully complete a substantial research paper that demonstrates the ability to formulate a research question, conduct research using the library’s databases, and synthesize information from a variety of sources into a cohesive and in-depth analysis of a topic.
- Demonstrate knowledge of historic, social, and cultural backgrounds necessary for understanding their own and other societies with an emphasis on important ideas and events that have shaped, and continue to shape, their world.
- Demonstrate scientific literacy, which can be defined as the matrix of knowledge needed to understand enough about the universe to deal with issues that come across the horizon of the average citizen, in the news or elsewhere.
- Demonstrate a broad exposure to, and an understanding of, the differences and similarities in the various academic disciplines within their Liberal Arts education.
- Successfully transfer to a baccalaureate degree granting institution if desired, with the proper educational foundation for transition into a chosen field of study.
Capstone Course for LAT
ENG 290 Advanced Writing and Research is the required capstone course for some Liberal Arts & Sciences majors and is to be taken after successfully completing ENG 101 College Writing I, ENG 102 College Writing II and at least 45 college-level credits.
Technical Standards1 for LAT
- 1
For general information about technical standards and accommodation, see Technical Standards.
Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
- Communicate and assimilate information either in spoken, printed, signed, or computer voice format.
- Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
- Work as a member of a team.
THE 101. Fundamentals Of Acting. 3 Credits.
Through the use of improvisation, theatre games, and scene study, students will be exposed to the working techniques that assist actors in creating a role and executing it in performance. The course will focus on the fundamental skills of the actor: concentration; believable action; basic stage directions and motivated movement; observation; emotional and sensory recall; and defining objectives. The course will culminate in student performance of scenes and monologues. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement. Fall.
THE 103. Introduction To Theatre. 3 Credits.
Students will become acquainted with various elements which comprise the world of theatre, including a brief view of its history, traditions, language, styles, and purposes as well as the function of the various disciplines within the craft and how they combine to create a theatrical production. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement. Spring. Alternate Years.
THE 106. Fundamentals Of Acting II. 3 Credits.
Building on the skills learned in THE 101 Fundamentals of Acting, this course focuses on script analysis and its application to scene study. Through scene work, students take a script from "page to stage" culminating in class projects presented for the public. Prerequisites: ENG 101, THE 101.
THE 112. Children's Theatre/Theatre for Young Audiences. 3 Credits.
This course will explore the understanding and appreciation of the art of Children’s Theatre through the development of skills as a storyteller, performer, director, designer, and audience member/reviewer. Additionally, students will acquire skills for planning and adapting stories for children’s productions. Prerequisite: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement. Spring.
THE 175. Introduction to Costume Design. 3 Credits.
This course explores the introductory skills and duties needed to perform in the role of costume designer in the performing arts. Students will work through the process of “Page to Stage” including but not limited to script analysis, research, production documentation, rendering and an introduction to textiles. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098 (or placement). Fall.
THE 184. Technical Theatre Practicum I (Formerly THE284). 3 Credits.
This course is a hands-on introduction to basic stagecraft and technical production. Students are exposed to the terminology, tools, equipment, machinery, and materials involved in standard set construction, painting, rigging, lighting and sound. Students learn to work safely, collaboratively and creatively as part of a production team for Theatre at the Mount productions and events. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, MAT 092 or MAT 096, RDG 098, or placement.
THE 185. Technical Theatre Practicum II (Formerly THE 285). 3 Credits.
This course builds on the skills learned in THE 184 – Technical Theatre Practicum I. While working on Theatre at the Mount productions and events, students learn more advanced techniques and are expected to assume increased responsibility for production projects, working independently as directed by the instructor/Technical Director. Students are also exposed to basic theatre design practices and complete a design project which may focus on creating a Ground Plan, designing props, or building a Set Model. Prerequisites: THE 184.