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SUNY GCC - Genesee Community College

GCC’s award-winning Theatre Arts program is designed to expose you to the richness of the performing arts and to provide a solid academic foundation for further study and career opportunities in theatre.

As a graduate, you can transfer to a baccalaureate institution as juniors. GCC students who have transferred and graduated from four-year institutions have been featured in films, started theatre companies, served as artistic directors, interned for regional equity theatres, designed costumes for college and equity theatres, and taught acting at professional theatres to elementary and high school students.
Students applying makeup

Why GCC?

A degree from GCC’s Theatre Arts program is a degree in liberal arts. You will take courses in English, history, mathematics, humanities and sciences. You will then take theatre courses focusing in:

  • Acting
  • Voice and articulation
  • Movement
  • Theatre technology and design
  • Play analysis
  • Theatre history
  • Audition Technique
  • Participation in Live shows
  • Children’s Theatre (including touring)

You’ll hone your skills by participating in four productions a year as well as extracurricular workshops. You’ll study and perform in the Genesee Center for the Arts, a modern facility which houses a 328-seat theatre, rehearsal studio, dressing rooms, scene shop, costume shop, and sound and lighting studio.

Degree Types

Associate In Science (AS)

AS Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Upon successful completion of the Theatre Arts program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Employ voice, movement, and acting techniques in the building of a character.
  2. Distinguish a General American dialect from other American regionalisms.
  3. Execute monologues in a variety of genres from memory.
  4. Interpret character objectives from plays and monologues.
  5. Utilize theatre vocabulary as needed in productions or as part of critique.
  6. Discuss the relevance of historical periods on present-day theatre.
  7. Research other cultures, or societies, as needed when performing a role.
  8. Prepare a repertoire of monologues for auditioning.
  9. Write a professional actor’s résumé.

Download the 2024-2025 Curriculum Worksheet for AS [PDF]

College Students walking on outside on campus

Career Outlook

After getting your GCC degree, some occupations you may consider are:

  • Actors
  • Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
  • Choreographers
  • Dancers
  • Directors- Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio
  • Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other
  • Fashion Designers
  • Music Directors
  • Musicians, Instrumental
  • Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
  • Producers
  • Program Directors
  • Set and Exhibit Designers
  • Singers
  • Talent Directors
  • Technical Directors/Managers

Please contact the Director of Fine and Performing Arts or our Career Services office for more information.

Transfer Opportunities

Starting at GCC saves many students and their families thousands of dollars in tuition. With an A.S. or A.A. degree you will be able to seamlessly transfer within the SUNY network of 64 college and universities as well as to many 4-year private institutions. GCC’s A.S. and A.A. programs were developed as part of the SUNY seamless transfer initiative allowing students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree as a freshman and a sophomore at a community college, then seamlessly transfer to a SUNY four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. Please reference the SUNY Transfer Pathways for degree programs to learn about any campus specific requirements. Visit the SUNY Core Course Finder to plan out the courses you should complete to transfer to a 4-year SUNY School.

If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year private institution you should work with our Transfer Services office to learn about possible articulation agreements and pathways that exist for many or our degree programs. Some GCC A.A.S. programs also have transfer opportunities.

To learn more about these opportunities and agreements contact the Transfer Services Office or the Director of Performing Arts, we are more than happy to work with you and answer any questions you may have on building your own personalized transfer plan.

Transfer opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • Nazareth College
  • Niagara University*
  • SUNY Buffalo State College*
  • SUNY College at Brockport
  • SUNY College at Fredonia
  • SUNY College at Geneseo
  • SUNY University at Buffalo

*GCC has current transfer agreements with the above noted institutions.