Theatre Arts

Acting, Directing, Design and Technical Theatre

Are you interested in the entertainment industry? Do you desire to speak in front of large groups of people, or do you have the technical skills or an interest in audio and lighting technology? The Theatre Arts Department at CBC offers courses that are perfect for exploring your interest in theatre, no matter your desired role. Theatre courses are designed to meet the requirements for the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre, and will train you in industry standards and provide valuable opportunities for design and performance roles in department productions.

Visit the CBC Arts Center website for additional information about current production schedules.

Meet Ronn Campbell, Senior Associate Professor in Theatre.



A Place for Every Student

Do you like to be in the audience, on stage or behind the scenes? There is a place for you in the Theatre Arts Program. Here are several options for you to cultivate your inner thespian, be entertained or fulfill any course requirements with the programs below:

image of audience watching performance

Do you need to attend a play to fulfill a course requirement? Or do you just want to take a break from your studies and be entertained? Either way, you can attend most of our Arts Center events at CBC for free, unless otherwise stated.

CBC students receive two complimentary tickets to attend each theatre production during the regular academic year (does not include summer).

  • In the Arts Center Office or at the door.
  • Show your current CBC ID.
  • Sign the student comp ticket form.

  image of students on stage

Take classes to learn how to act on stage, act in quarterly productions or summer theatre or join the Blue Ladder Players (a small troupe of actors who tour area elementary schools with their only prop, a blue ladder).

image of student operating lights for a play

There are many opportunities for students to become a part of the action behind the scenes. 

  • Directing: for the stage and for the camera.
  • Sound: set up and run sound using industry standard equipment, including sound effects.
  • Lights: set the mood of each show when you set up and run lights with quality light boards and lighting equipment.
  • Costumes: design, construct, alter or collect costumes for productions.
  • Make-up: transform actors into their characters using make-up.

Students in Production

image of student on stage

These productions represent a culmination of student course work through the process of collaboration presented in production to the campus and community audiences.

“Theatre without an audience is incomplete.”

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Fall Quarter
  • "Emme and the Taking of the Woods" by Jeff J. Petersen
Winter Quarter
  • "Best of Honor" by Ricardo Soltero Brown 
Spring Quarter
  • "Speech and Debate" by Stephen Karam 

Please visit the CBC Arts Center website for dates, descriptions and ticket information.


Scholarships and Talent Grants

Along with the general CBC Foundation scholarships, the Theatre Arts Program has the Bonnie Rutherford Memorial Scholarship for those interested in technical theatre.

Any currently enrolled or potential student is eligible to apply. Most scholarships are for full-time students (12 or more credits) maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.5, but a few may be awarded to part-time students. Be sure to complete the CBC Admissions Application.

  • 1. Complete the Foundation Application:

  • 2. Application Requirements:

    • Transcript
    • Two letters of recommendation

  • 3. Grade Requirement:

    • Entering freshmen or continuing students must have a GPA of 2.5 or above.

Talent Grant funds available for theatre majors.

These scholarship funds are focused on those who are theatre majors, an application can be obtained from any theatre department faculty member.


College Theatre Festival

CBC is actively involved in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). KCACTF is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theatre in the United States. Every year CBC attends the regional festival where our students attend workshops and performances. Students compete in acting, design, directing and playwriting events where they are often recognized for their work.  

Performance Spaces

Along with the award-winning faculty, the performance spaces at CBC offer the equipment and venues for you to flourish in the theatre arts. From the cloud space, lighting/sound instruments to the green room, dressing rooms and scene shop these facilities completes the puzzle for quality student learning.

image of CBC Theatre

Built in 1971, the CBC mainstage theatre is a 284-seat thrust stage that provides a very intimate theatrical experience for our audience and performers. The facility contains a fly system, sound system, costume and scenic shop spaces. One of the highlights of the theatre is the state of the art lighting system with the latest in computer controlled LED and moving lighting fixtures that provide our students access and training on the latest equipment.

image of amphitheatre

The Theatre department has been producing shows in our amphitheater since 1986 and the venue has grown along with it. The current performance area is a 50’x30’ stage with a custom designed roof lighting truss similar to professional concert venues. The venue will hold up to 600 patrons with state of the art sound and lighting systems. The Diane C. Hoch amphitheater provides a professional foundation for our students to learn and perform, while giving our audiences an experience they cannot find at any other school in the northwest.

Once the television studio at the college, the P204 Black Box is a flexible configuration space that is used as a classroom and performance venue that allows students to experiment in a wide array of theatre styles and configurations. The space seats approximately 40-50 people and has a simple lighting system that is perfect for the student productions.

Courses taught in the Theatre Arts can serve as a foundation for many degrees and/or careers, such as:

  • Technician/Production

    Theatrical design, concert production technician, stage technician, museum display design, entertainment industry technician and producer.

  • Direction

    Director, technical director, stage manager and administrator.

  • Actor

    Actor, radio presenter, acting coach and voice actor.

  • Education

    Elementary teacher, high school teacher and college professor.

 

 

contact

image of students in a theatre class