Film & Theatre - Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) (2500)
Do you enjoy performing onstage or in front of a camera? Would you rather work backstage designing and building sets and costumes, operating lights and sound, designing and applying special effects make up, or directing a stage production? Whether you are an actor, director, designer or technician, our Film and Theatre Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) program may be for you! With a conservatory approach, our program teaches you the fundamental knowledge and techniques essential in performing in a theatrical production (stage or screen) or in the technical aspects of a production behind-the-scenes.
Our students often choose to move directly into the workforce as actors, technicians and designers in both theatre and film. Our faculty offers a broad range of coursework that focuses on skills to greatly increase your opportunities in the industry. Upon completing the Associate in Fine Arts degree, you will be prepared for entry-level employment in performance and/or technical theatre or ready to transfer your credits to a four-year college.
Our Film and Theatre program might be a good fit if you:
- Enjoy performing in front of a live audience or in front of the camera
- Want to use your creative talent and learn about camera operations, scenic, costume, sound, makeup and lighting design
- Prefer to work on a team to produce creative work
To pursue an arts-related profession, you should develop a varied skillset and seek professional training in either performance or technical theatre. Creatively YOURS, we can help you develop these skills.
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Our Film and Theatre Associate in Fine Arts program prepares you for entry-level employment within film and theatre production companies. Our hands-on curriculum allows you to gain fundamental knowledge and techniques essential to acting and working in the many technical areas that relate to the film and theatre industries. We emphasize resume building skills, and provide a conservatory approach, as you select between an Acting or Technical concentration.
Our Acting concentration gives you skills in:
- acting techniques
- character development
- voice and movement
- improvisation
Our Technical concentration provides you skills in
- lighting
- editing
- camera operation
- production design
- script writing and analysis
Lastly, our curriculum allows you to gain real-world experience through practicum and capstone experience courses. You will either do presentation of a performance piece or submit a professional portfolio.
In the program, you will:
- Distinguish between the various roles and functions that performers, directors, designers and technicians play within the Film and Theater Arts
- Recognize the necessity for collaboration and artistic compromise across all roles and functions with in Film and Theatre
- Execute the various tasks involved in creating a film and/or staged production
- Create a theatre performance resume or technical portfolio
- Write and speak effectively about the nature of Film and Theatre
- Distinguish and demonstrate the various roles and functions of performers, directors and designers within the Theater Arts
- Recognize the necessity for collaboration and artistic compromise
- Execute the various tasks involved in creating a live staged production
- Write and speak effectively about the nature of theatre
- View summaries of every course at HACC by browsing our class schedules database.
- Review our program guide (pdf) to view a list of required courses, recommended course sequencing and program competencies.
Yes! While our program is designed to prepare you for entry-level employment, you may also transfer to many four-year institutions and professional film and theatre schools. Therefore, we encourage you to select a four-year school as soon as possible. This will allow you to learn the transfer college’s program requirements so you can take the proper classes at HACC.
Please see the list of schools for transferring options:
| Bloomsburg University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| California University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| Cheyney University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| Clarion University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| East Stroudsburg University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| Edinboro University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| Indiana University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| Kutztown University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| Lock Haven University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| Mansfield University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| Slippery Rock University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
| West Chester University of PA: | Pennsylvania Statewide P2P Agreement (pdf) |
Students may only complete this program at our Harrisburg Campus.
Yes! We offer many scholarships through the HACC Foundation. Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. To learn how to apply, please visit hacc.edu/Scholarships.
You may take classes in the spring, summer and fall. Please visit our website to apply anytime.
When submitting your application, please use program code 2500. This will ensure that you are enrolled in the correct program.
Future students, we are excited to connect with you and answer your questions. Please choose the option that works best for you to meet with us.
Current HACC students, please contact our Advising Department with any questions.
Meet Tabitha: Theatre Student and Playwright
“HACC challenges me and encourages me to go above and beyond.”
“HACC is a leader in education, and the HACC Theatre Program Faculty are an amazingly talented group of award-winning artists who guide students to successful endeavors in professional theatre careers.” – Lori Friedlander, theatre technical director