Acting and Technical Theater
The Acting and Technical Theater Career Pathway is part of the Arts, A/V Technology & Communications Career Cluster, focused on designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism and entertainment services.
WATCH: Career Videos
Learn from professionals who followed this career pathway in videos from RoadTrip Nation.
Ric Birch
Executive Producer, Olympic Ceremonies
Nancy Feldman
Wardrobe and Makeup Supervisor, Blue Man Group
Diane Guerrero
Actress, "Encanto," "Orange is the New Black"
Christopher Jackson
Actor/Musician, "Freestyle Love Supreme," "Hamilton," "In the Heights," "Moana"
Judith Jamison
Choreographer/Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater
Potential Careers
Pathway Courses
ENG203 or ENG204 | First or Second Semester
Speech ELECTIVE ⬜9 ⬛10 ⬛11 ⬛12
ENG211 or 212 | First or Second Semester
Speech ELECTIVE ⬜9 ⬛10 ⬛11 ⬛12
ENG304 | Second Semester
Literature ELECTIVE ⬜9 ⬛10 ⬛11 ⬛12
ENG206 or ENG207 | First OR Second Semester
Speech ELECTIVE ⬜9 ⬛10 ⬛11 ⬛12
ENG105 or ENG106 | First OR Second Semester
Speech ELECTIVE ⬛9 ⬜10 ⬜11 ⬜12
Example Four-Year Plan
This is just an example of a possible four-year plan with these pathway courses included. Talk with your counselor and view the graduation requirements to create a plan that works for you.
Example Four-Year Plan Graphic
Example Four-Year Plan Courses
Grade 9
Required Courses
- Language and Literature — two credits
- Math (Algebra) — two credits
- Physical Science — two credits
- Global Geography and Culture — two credits
- P.E. — one credit
- Health (any year) — one credit
Pathway Courses
- Theatrics — one credit
Elective Courses
- World Language (2-4 years) — two credits
- Other suggested electives — 3 credits:
- full-year courses: Jazz Studies and Performance (every other day), Ninth-Grade Band, Ninth-Grade Orchestra, Southwoods Singers (every other day), Treble or Bass Clef Choir
- one-semester courses: Debate I, Marching Band (early bird), Theatrics, art classes
Grade 10
Required Courses
- Biology — two credits
- Fundamentals of Writing (Grades 10, 11, or 12) — one credit
- Math (Geometry) — two credits
- P.E. — one credit
- Speech Communication (Grades 10, 11, or 12) — one credit
Pathway Courses
- Drama I: Acting — one credit
Elective Courses
- World Language (2-4 years) — two credits
- Other suggested electives — six credits: additional performing and fine arts classes, as well as:
- Language and Literature courses: Advanced Speech, Broadcasting Lab, Creative Writing, Cultural Literacy, Debate, Film as Literature, Introduction to Broadcasting, Journalism, Publications, Shakespeare
- Education Courses: Child Development, Foundations of Education, Initial Field Experience, Senior Field Experience
- Business Courses: Introduction to Business, Accounting, Business Law, Computer Applications, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Intro. to Computer Applications, Computer Applications, Marketing and Advertising, Leadership, Personal Finance, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Web Page Design, Video Production
- Technical Theater emphasis: Carpentry Fundamentals, Construction Fundamentals, Design Studio, Digital Animation, Digital Illustration, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Foundations of Technology and Engineering, Leadership, Photography, Textile Construction, Video Production
Grade 11
Required Courses
- Language Arts Elective — two credits
- Math (Algebra II) — two credits
- Chemistry (Grades 11 or 12) — two credits
- U.S. History — two credits
- P.E. — one credit
Pathway Courses
- Drama II: Advanced Acting — one credit
- Dramatic Literature — one credit
Elective Courses
- World Language (2-4 years) — two credits
- Other suggested electives — three credits: additional performing and fine arts classes, as well as:
- Language and Literature courses: Advanced Speech, Broadcasting Lab, Creative Writing, Cultural Literacy, Debate, Film as Literature, Introduction to Broadcasting, Journalism, Publications, Shakespeare
- Education Courses: Child Development, Foundations of Education, Initial Field Experience, Senior Field Experience
- Business Courses: Introduction to Business, Accounting, Business Law, Computer Applications, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Intro. to Computer Applications, Computer Applications, Marketing and Advertising, Leadership, Personal Finance, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Web Page Design, Video Production
- Technical Theater emphasis: Carpentry Fundamentals, Construction Fundamentals, Design Studio, Digital Animation, Digital Illustration, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Foundations of Technology and Engineering, Leadership, Photography, Textile Construction, Video Production
Grade 12
Required Courses
- Literature Elective — one credit
- Language Arts Elective — one credit
- Government — one credit
- Economics — one credit
- P.E. — one credits
Pathway Courses
- Technical Theater — one credit
Elective Courses
-
World Language (2-4 years) — two credits
- Other suggested electives — three credits: additional performing and fine arts classes, as well as:
- Language and Literature courses: Advanced Speech, Broadcasting Lab, Creative Writing, Cultural Literacy, Debate, Film as Literature, Introduction to Broadcasting, Journalism, Publications, Shakespeare
- Education Courses: Child Development, Foundations of Education, Initial Field Experience, Senior Field Experience
- Business Courses: Introduction to Business, Accounting, Business Law, Computer Applications, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Intro. to Computer Applications, Computer Applications, Marketing and Advertising, Leadership, Personal Finance, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Web Page Design, Video Production
- Technical Theater emphasis: Carpentry Fundamentals, Construction Fundamentals, Design Studio, Digital Animation, Digital Illustration, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Foundations of Technology and Engineering, Leadership, Photography, Textile Construction, Video Production
Other Pathway Information
Related Electives
- Valley Southwoods: Bass Clef Chorus
- Valley Southwoods: Concert Band
- Valley Southwoods: Jazz Studies/Performance
- Valley Southwoods: Orchestra
- Valley Southwoods Southwoods Singers
- Valley Southwoods: Treble Clef Chorus
- A Capella Choir
- Advanced Speech
- AP Music Theory
- Chamber Orchestra
- Concert Choir
- Concert Ensemble
- DMACC: Foundations of Education
- DMACC: Initial Field Experience
- Explorations in Music
- Film as Literature
- Jazz Studies/Performance
- Marching Band
- Orchestra
- Select Treble Clef Choir
- Symphony Band
- Valley Singers
Career-Related Activities
Potential College Majors
Next Steps
Where do I start?
What next?
How can I learn more?
- Talk to your counselor.
- Valley Counseling Center
- Walnut Creek Campus Counseling
- Valley Southwoods Counseling Office
- Talk to a DMACC representative.
- Use Naviance.
- Use Roadtrip Nation.