Theatre and Entertainment Technology, A.S.

Standard high school diploma/GED is required before admission to the Theatre and Entertainment Technology Program.

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Program Costs

Florida Residents Tuition (64 credit hours) $6,833.28

Non-Florida Residents Tuition (64 credit hours) $24,505.60

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education.  You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships.  Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information and how to apply.

The A.S. (Associate in Science) in Theatre and Entertainment Technology at Santa Fe College is a 2-year Degree offered to prepare students to enter their chosen field in the professional world of Entertainment and Theatre Technology immediately after graduation. It is the training necessary to work in the industry without continuing to another degree, such as an upper level B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) or B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts).

For the Theatre and Entertainment Technology degree program, we accept new students every two years. This is so we can focus on the students’ progress and give our full attention to everyone.

Our program is designed to be progressive: Students take introduction courses of Theatre Topics for the basics, before moving forward to more advanced and detailed studies and discussions.

This type of track reflects the professional technical theatre world and the progression of a performing arts event – discuss the basics a show needs, make design and other technical choices, build the design as the performers rehearse, come together to collaborate and layer on all the technology (lights, sound, props, scenery), then put your show in front of an audience.

Assessment is ongoing from acceptance to the program through final project.

Cohorts begin every other Fall Semester, starting in the odd numbered years (Fall 2021, Fall 2023, Fall 2025, etc.)

Due to the style of progressive instruction, students cannot be admitted on a rolling basis.

Over two consecutive years, Theatre and Entertainment Technology A.S. Degree track students will study and display:

• Stagecraft topics – vocabulary, theatrical personnel, common tools and materials
• Scenery – construction, painting, rigging
• Lighting – gear, hang & focus, advanced lighting techniques, and lighting design
• Audio – sound for the theatre, board operation, microphones, design
• Costumes – construction, make-up
• Stage Management – scheduling, coordinating tasks and personnel
• Show Run Crew – skills and expectations specific to running a show.
• Successful collaborative and communicative techniques
• Progress and learn to market self with resume and portfolio creation

In addition to full time class loads, the student’s time is required outside of the class meeting times. Some lab exercises and lab assignments require additional time to complete.

Technical Theatre students are regularly involved in our performing arts events. This involvement expands a student’s knowledge and skills in the area of a live performing arts environment.
Our Performing Arts events can require attending rehearsals and performances on a schedule that involves nights and weekends.

Students will be expected to meet the following essential requirements in order to enter the program.

Essential Observational and Communication Requirements:

• Possess the visual acuity to distinguish fine details in classroom materials
• Observe demonstrations in which techniques are discussed
• Describe and discuss environments and applications
• Clearly read and comprehend text, numbers and graphs displayed in print and on a video monitor or screen
• Read and understand warning placards

Essential Movement Requirements:

• Be in the classroom, shop and theatrical environments at the designated times as described in the course syllabus for educational experiences. Environments include heights, stairs, ladders, motorized personnel lifts, and a variety of outdoor and overhead environments.
• Demonstrate sufficient ability and strength to handle mechanical tools and lift equipment up to 20 pounds.
• Navigate over irregular surfaces, platforms and/or inclines
• Safely climb a ladder up to 11ft tall
• Move safely around the classroom and shop.
• Use tools and materials safely and effectively.
• Have hand eye coordination to operate rotational and impact hand and power tools
• Demonstrate sufficient endurance to perform moderately taxing continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged standing over several hours.
• Work for extended periods of time with arms overhead
• Be able to withstand confined spaces, defined as limited or restricted means for entry or exit

Essential Cognitive Requirements:

• Read and comprehend technical and professional materials (e.g. textbooks, shop drawings, handbooks, electrics procedures, and instruction/equipment manuals, etc.).
• Comprehend verbal communications, including lectures, discussions, and conversations.
• Follow verbal and written instructions in order to correctly and independently perform duties.
• Effectively communicate with classmates and team leaders.
• Independently prepare papers and homework, and take paper, computer, and laboratory assignments.
• Be able to visualize and describe mechanical relationship in simple wooden structures.
• Students with a known medical history of seizure disorder, loss of balance, loss of function or loss of communication are recommended to register with the Disability Resource Center and must notify the instructor.

If you are seeking more of the General Education courses such as Humanities and pre-requisites for upper level Computation and Communications courses, the A.A. degree will put you on that track.

If exploring or just interested in Technical Theatre:  TPA1200, Intro to Stagecraft is the “gateway” course.