Garden City Community College

Drama

The theatre program is open to everyone – those who are seeking the theatre major, students who would like to participate while studying other disciplines, and community members who want to be part of our productions as actors or technicians! We offer numerous scholarships on participatory basis to students (both majors and non-majors) who are involved in our productions as actors, assistant directors, stage managers, light and sound board operators, costume assistants, and many other areas of production work!

Students who participate in this program will come out of their two years of study as well-rounded theatre practitioners and will have the opportunity to perform, design, build, and crew several productions in their four semesters here. As part of our interdisciplinary focus, we have major collaborative relationships with Carpentry, Welding, Art, Music, and Cosmetology in producing our shows, fostering collaboration for set design and construction, bespoke props and set pieces, music and vocal direction, and hair and makeup design – so students in the theatre department are also exposed to the work and expertise of numerous other disciplines and professions as we create great art together! Our priority as a student-focused, community-supported, interdisciplinary department and company means that the talent and ingenuity of everyone in the student population and community are welcome to join us!

Those who join the GC3 Theatre Department are not just students in the traditional sense, but participatory artists and members of a production company, which means that your motivation and voice are key to the work we do here. What shows are you passionate about? What playwrights should be given more study? What kind of production do you think would fit our season? Do you want to try your hand producing smaller works yourself? As a collective of artists under the supervision of the Director of Theatre, our students have the opportunities here to advocate for the kind of work they want to produce and share with the public, as well as discuss their own potential for casting, technical capability, and growth as theatrical artists.

Students who are primarily interested in becoming actors can work through our three-semester Acting rotation (Acting I – III), learning everything from character work and scene study to various methods and theories of specialized acting, build their repertoire through the presentation of countless scenes and monologues, and develop their professional portfolio and audition skills – as well as meet established Broadway and professional performers for Q&As in our Acting III course!

Those who are more interested in being technicians can receive hands-on instruction and experience by working on productions and transitioning into designers with built experience, all while receiving credit through our practicum courses; or, enroll in a tech class like Intro to Costume Design! Our Intro to Theatre class is a perfect fit as well for those who are interested in the theatre but needing to fulfill a Humanities General Education requirement, and focuses on Socratic discussion of over ten playtexts throughout the semester as well as the history, philosophies, politics, and social issues relevant to each piece of drama. We also offer a Directing I course for those who are passionate about scene analysis and staging and want to learn how to cultivate that insight.

Questions about our program, productions, or scholarships? Email Director of Theatre Dr. Joshua Kelly at joshua.kelly@gcccks.edu

Career Outlook*

• Actor
• Director
• Sound Technician
• Drama Teacher
• Theater Manager

*Most careers listed require a Bachelor’s Degree. The AA in Art at GCCC is meant as a transfer degree and students are encouraged to transfer to a 4-year university upon completion.