Theatre & Entertainment Production, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma - Suspended
Duration: 

2 years

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Peter Fielding
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information visit the Theatre Entertainment & Production Department , under Academic Departments.

Related Careers

We train technicians and crafts people that work behind the scenes in the ever-growing entertainment industry. Our alumni are employed as stage managers, sound designers and technicians, follow spot operators, production managers, stage electricians, lighting designers and technicians, production management assistants, stage carpenters, scenic painters, and property builders.

Graduates working in production often join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the labor union representing technicians, artisans and craftspeople in the entertainment industry, including live theatre, motion picture and television production, and trade shows. They may work on contract or may choose to freelance through the union.

Our graduates also work in related areas of the entertainment industry, including cruise ships, theme parks, concert tours, industrial presentations, specialized service companies, film and television. Some eventually move into more senior management positions.

Graduates may also choose to transfer credits and resume experience to B.F.A. or specialty study elsewhere in design or technology, or apply to continue training at RDC as part of our Applied Degree in Motion Picture Arts.

The Program

This program offers a Diploma in Theatre and Entertainment Production and prepares graduates to work behind the scenes in the live entertainment and event industries. The program includes components of class theory, studio training and hands-on practice in lights, scenic paint, props, sound, set construction, theatre design and stage management.

Students work in assigned practice as members of the resident theatre company, and are able to integrate their technical skills in the production of season of live theatre, in settings simulating professional conditions. Faculty and professional guest artists are the directors and designers for the plays produced by the Theatre programs. Students work in a variety of performance spaces; an exceptional Main stage proscenium theatre of 576 seats, a black-box experimental theatre, found spaces and outside event locations. Productions in this program are technically challenging and provide valuable experience for student technicians.

In addition to the theatre productions, students have the opportunity to work on a variety of events that take place in the Arts Centre. Students are involved with the set up and operation of professional, touring theatre productions, folk jazz, and pop concerts, and a host of other events as connected with our performing Arts programs and Red Deer College.

Transfer Features

Theatre and Entertainment Production graduates can accumulate credits to transfer into year two of B.A., B.Ed., or B.F.A. studies at a variety of universities. Graduates are eligible to apply for the 3rd and 4th years of the Advanced Certificate and Applied Degree in Motion Picture Arts at RDC.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

1. High School Diploma with successful completion of ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts, and successful completion of ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2.

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Other Requirements: 

To be accepted to the technical production program you need to have a successful interview. Further guidelines regarding interview expectations are available here.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass all courses, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Program Content

Open to Theatre and Entertainment Production students only

Year One:

  • THTR 105 Production Crew I
  • THTR 106 Production Crew II
  • THTR 107 Production Crew III
  • THTR 118 Scenic Props
  • THTR 125 Stagecraft I
  • THTR 126 Stagecraft II
  • THTR 135 Entertainment Industry Sound
  • THTR 136 Live Events Sound
  • THTR 145 Entertainment Industry Lighting I
  • THTR 146 Entertainment Industry Lighting II
  • THTR 158 Entertainment Arts Drafting
  • THTR 168 Stage and Event Management I
  • THTR 176 Entertainment Industry Design
  • ART 231 Visual Fundamentals

Year Two:

  • THTR 205 Applied Practice and Theory I
  • THTR 206 Applied Practice and Theory II
  • THTR 207 Applied Practice and Theory III
  • THTR 215 Scenic Painting
  • THTR 258 Drawing as Communication
  • THTR 265 Stage and Event Management II
  • THTR 278 Entertainment Arts Design & Visual Communication
  • THTR 285 Professional Development I
  • THTR 286 Professional Development II
  • THTR 295 Intensives Series I
  • THTR 296 Intensives Series II
  • THTR 297 Intensives Series III
  • Approved COMM course
Year 1 Course Descriptions

THTR 105

This course will be the first introduction of the student to a working knowledge of the technical aspects of entertainment production. Students will apply course instructed learning; including those of stagecraft; drafting; prop building; lighting; sound and stage management; as well as continued hands-on learning. Students will be assigned to a designated technical area; as well as expected hours of participating in other areas within various productions and events. Students will be assisted by second year students; and instructed by a department technical instructor. Corequisite: THTR 125 and consent of the Department

THTR 106

Continued theoretical and practical instruction towards a working knowledge of the technical aspects of entertainment production. Students will apply course instructed learning; including those of stagecraft; drawing; drafting; prop building; lighting; sound; and stage management; as well as continued hands-on learning. Students will be assigned to a designated technical area; as well as expected hours of participating in other areas within various productions and events. The work may be a new application of practica skills; or be an opportunity to redevelop and strengthen current skills. Students will be assisted by second year students; and instructed by a department technical instructor. Prerequisite: THTR 105 Corequisite: THTR 126

THTR 106

Continued theoretical and practical instruction towards a working knowledge of the technical aspects of entertainment production. Students will apply course instructed learning; including those of stagecraft; drawing; drafting; prop building; lighting; sound; and stage management; as well as continued hands-on learning. Students will be assigned to a designated technical area; as well as expected hours of participating in other areas within various productions and events. The work may be a new application of practica skills; or be an opportunity to redevelop and strengthen current skills. Students will be assisted by second year students; and instructed by a department technical instructor. Prerequisite: THTR 105 Corequisite: THTR 126

THTR 118

Introduction to the theory and techniques of developing scenic props. Delivered in workshop format.

THTR 125

Entertainment production techniques including stage and shop safety; scenic carpentry; and theatrical rigging. Strong hands-on component.

THTR 126

Continued study of entertainment production techniques; including continued stage and shop safety; scenic carpentry; and theatrical rigging. Prerequisite: THTR 125

THTR 135

No course description available.

THTR 136

Theory and practice in basic sound for the entertainment industry. Examine the function and operation of professional sound equipment; and the fundamentals of sound design. Prerequisite: THTR 135

THTR 145

Theory and practice in basic electricity for the theatre. Function and operation of professional lighting equipment. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department

THTR 146

Continued theory and practice in basic lighting for the entertainment and theatre. Function and operation of professional lighting equipment. Prerequisite: THTR 145

THTR 158

Introduction to technical communication techniques within the entertainment industry. Emphasis on theatre drafting; drafting conventions; and types of working drawings as important elements in the communication of technical and design requirements.

THTR 168

Introduction to fundamentals of the production process in management and communication skills for the entertainment industry.

THTR 176

The study of design processes for the entertainment industry. Emphasis will be placed on technical connections to historical theatre and will examine a variety of processes used in project analysis for live performances. Learning and using research skills and problem-solving pathways are the primary course objectives. Corequisite: THTR 158

ART 231

A foundation level; project based studio course that introduces the formal elements and principles of two dimensional design.

Year 2 Course Descriptions

THTR 205

Theoretical and practical instruction in the production of entertainment events; through involvement in a theatre or entertainment production. This will allow students to implement and refine skills previously acquired; in both class and practical work. Students will be assigned a designated area of responsibility within various productions and events. Prerequisite THTR 107 and consent of the Department

THTR 206

Theoretical and practical instruction in the production of entertainment events; through involvement in theatre and entertainment productions. Students will have the opportunity to redevelop and strenghten previously acquired skills; or they may be assigned to a position meant to introduce new skills. Students will be assigned a designated area of responsibility within various productions and events. Prerequisite: THTR 205 and consent of the Department

THTR 207

Theoretical and practical instruction in the production of entertainment events. Students will be able to continue refining skills and working on communication and team building skills required in the entertainment industry. Students will be assigned a designated area of responsibility within various productions and events where they will work with first year students in a supervisory role. Prerequisite: THTR 206 and consent of the Department

THTR 215

This course will teach the student a systematic approach to painting theatrical scenery. The class will examine traditional scene painting techniques and the tools and materials that have been developed to support those techniques. Prerequisite: THTR 176

THTR 258

Introduction to perspective rendering and figure drawing as a communication tool within the production processes of entertainment events. Prerequisite: THTR 158

THTR 265

Continued management and communication skills for the entertainment industry Prerequisite: THTR 165

THTR 278

Examining the creative techniques and visual communication of theatrical design from concept to final presentation. Emphasis will be made on the various forms of communication used by designers. This course will implement skills previously acquired; including those of drawing; drafting; prop building; lighting and stagecraft. Prerequisite: THTR 176

THTR 285

Researching and developing life-skills and career paths within the entertainment industry. Accessing information from contacts with educators; practicing professionals; and employers in the entertainment industry.

THTR 286

Researching and developing life-skills and career paths within the entertainment industry. Accessing information from contacts with educators; practicing professionals; and employers in the entertainment industry. Prerequisite: THTR 285

THTR 295

Students will be able to choose areas of interest in the entertainment industry to study at a more advanced level. Material may be presented in workshop; classroom; or through hands-on work. Prerequisite: THTR 126 and consent of the Department

THTR 296

Theatre and entertainment production advanced study intensives. Students will be able to choose areas of interest in the entertainment industry to study at a more advanced level. Prerequisite: THTR 295 and consent of the Department

THTR 297

Theatre and entertainment production advanced study intensives. Students will be able to choose areas of interest at a more advanced level; in order to reinforce career choices. Prerequisite: THTR 296 and consent of the Department

Special Fees and Expenses

Theatre and Entertainment Production students should budget for:

  • Drafting tools & Arts supplies $200.00
  • Scenography $ 50.00
  • equipment $160.00
  • Safety
  • Tools $100.00
  • Textbooks $450.00
  • USITT Conference TBA