Theatre and Entertainment Technology, A.S.

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Santa Fe College offers an Associate in Science in Theatre and Entertainment Technology Degree that prepares you to work as technicians in a semi to professional theatre and/or event and entertainment industry environment. The program is comprised of basic theatre technology, general education and advanced technical theatre courses. You will experience hands-on learning in both the academic setting as well as in live production situations to provide students with the principles and practices required for employment in the rapidly expanding and “high tech” entertainment industry.

This program is designed to be progressive. Students will build upon all skills, experiences, activities, and tasks as assignments advance in detail and difficulty. Students move through this program as a cohort.

Upon completion of this program you will be prepared to work as journeyman stagehand or as a specialist in the areas of stage carpentry, electronics, audio, properties, rigging, projection, or technical directors. There are challenging and exciting positions available for stage technicians in the touring business of theatre, opera, dance or the music industry. Theme parks, cruise ships, convention centers, trade show companies, casinos, the film industry, and other fields with live presentations employ stage technicians.

Program Costs, Scholarships and Aid

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.

Job Prospect and Salary

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).

Program Goals and Outcomes

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.

Program Length, Format, and Curriculum

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.

Performance Standards

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.

Cost of Attendance

Disclosure

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance below are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.

Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $106.77 per credit Out-Of-State: $382.90 per credit	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$9,679	$2,619
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,228	$4,228
Transportation	$1,976	$3,062
Total	In-State: $19,229 Out-Of-State: $25,856	In-State: $13,255 Out-Of-State: $19,882

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $126.33 per credit Out-Of-State: $428.83 per credit	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$9,679	$2,619
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,228	$4,228
Transportation	$1,976	$3,062
Total	In-State: $19,698 Out-Of-State: $26,958	In-State: $13,724 Out-Of-State: $20,984

*Off-Campus: you intend to live off campus, but not with your parent(s).

**Off-Campus with Parent: you intend to live with your parent(s).

Note: All costs and rates are subject to change for the upcoming year.

For more detailed information visit SF's Cost of Attendance page.

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Theatre and Entertainment Technology, A.S.

Program Overview