Theatre Arts Department

The Santa Monica College Theatre Arts Department has a widely known and highly regarded reputation, nationally and internationally. Situated in an ideal geographical location, our students have easy access to numerous film and theatre communities nearby while enjoying the beach city atmosphere and climate on campus.

 

The department offers overall theatre training required to complete the A.A. Degree and transfer requirements to universities. Santa Monica College is the leading transfer school to the University of California system, USC and Loyola Marymount and the leading transfer school to the combined UC and CSU systems. In past years we have had an exceptional transfer rate of students accepted into Juilliard -- 8 of our students were accepted and 2 students wait listed in 8 consecutive years with only 20 acceptances nationwide per year! Our students have been accepted at NYU, Columbia University and other prestigious institutions nationwide and abroad. Many of our alumni work as professional actors and theatre technicians on and off-Broadway, as well as in National Tours, Regional Theatres, London’s West End and other international theatrical venues. Our alumni also work in film, television and commercials.

 

The department’s curriculum focuses on providing education and experience towards mounting theatrical productions. Performance related classes hone skills enabling the actor to audition and perform with confidence. Technical Theatre classes provide students with the knowledge and skills to tackle all aspects of technical theatre. Department productions are student cast and run by student crews.