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Please check the OCC course listings site or contact the department directly if you have questions about what courses may be offered during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Contact Us

Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sat & Sun, Closed

 

Department Chair:  Professor Tom Bruno   tbruno@occ.cccd.edu

Professor Cynthia Corley    ccorley@occ.cccd.edu

Instructors:

Stacy Fireheart

Phyllis Gitlin

Rick Golson

Bethany Kraemer

Wyn Moreno

David Scaglione

Peter Uribe

ABOUT OCC THEATRE

​OCC is home to one of th​e finest community college theatre departments in Southern California. OCC’s Theatre Department produces more than 20 productions in the Drama Lab and Drama Lab Studio theatres each year.

Our students have gone on to attend such prestigious schools and conservatories as UCLA, USC, NYU, Yale School of Drama, Julliard, Circle in the Square, and ACT. Our graduates work in film, television and theater across the nation, and have founded or led multiple successful theatre companies.

OCC’s Theatre Arts Department productions provide nearly 300 roles for students each season.

With 500 students enrolled in theatre courses, and with 180 declared majors, OCC’s Theatre Arts Department provides the most diverse and comprehensive theatre experience in Orange County.

Our Program

OCC Theatre offers four degree options and a Career Technical Education (CTE) Certificate in Media Arts and Creative Entertainment:

  • The AAT degree is offered with an emphasis in Acting or in Technical Theatre, and the AA degree is also offered with an emphasis in Acting or in Technical Theatre.
  • The Certificate is designed for the student who wants a concentrated course of study in the field of acting/directing coupled with film and television production. Students will be educated in performing, directing, storytelling, camera operation, event documentation, lighting, sound, post-production, and business practices.

 

Our program is designed to fit the needs of the beginning actor, the returning adult and the dedicated theatre student who is seeking a career in the profession.

Because of our location, close to the heart of the entertainment industry, OCC is uniquely situated to offer a wide variety of courses and training.

OCC Theatre Arts Degrees, Certificates and catalogue course information.

OCC offers many opportunities for our students every season! We offer 3-5 faculty-directed mainstage productions in our 175-seat black box Drama Lab Theatre and we also create a full season of student-produced plays in our student-run theatre company The Rep.

Main-stage Productions:

are directed by recognized theatre professionals and educators, offering students and theatre-goers a blend of classical as well as contemporary theatre. Challenging production choices are made to provide students with an opportunity to develop and perfect their craft. Seasons consist of the latest in contemporary theatre, musicals and classical theatre.

Auditions for OCC mainstage shows are open to all. Please follow us on social media to see our announcements and show information.

Faculty-Directed Productions

 

OCC’s Repertory (The Rep):

is a truly unique opportunity for theatre students in Orange County: we give you a theatre! Since 1984, this student-operated and faculty-supervised theatre company has been offering students the hands-on opportunity to direct, act, write, stage manage and create designs, publicity and technical elements for a full season of productions in our intimate 40-seat black box Drama Lab Studio Theatre.

The Repertory (OCCs student-theatre company)

Performance courses offered at OCC

  • Four levels of acting, Improvisation, Stage Combat, Acting for Camera, Body Movement, Voice and Articulation.

  • Our Rehearsal and Performance courses are linked to all of our mainstage productions, including Elizabethan Play Workshop and three levels each of Comedy Performance, Drama Performance and Musical Theatre Performance.

Technical courses offered at OCC

  • Practicum courses in lighting, scenic and prop construction, scenic painting, make-up, and costuming are offered and our busy schedule of mainstage and Rep productions offers many opportunities for hands-on work including crew and stage management training.

Events