Field of Interest
Launch a creative career doing what you love.
Gain the foundational skills that are necessary for a career in film or theatre, including production design and technique. Aside from the experience you’ll gain, you will develop a portfolio of academic work to showcase throughout your artistic career.
The Right Pathway for You
MCC offers Certificates of Completion and Associate Degrees for this program. Your interests and goals will guide you in selecting the pathway that is ideal for you. You may find a combination of certificates or degrees is the fastest way to realize your dreams.
Certificates
The knowledge and skills acquired while earning a Certificate of Completion (CCL) can help launch you into a new career or energize your current job. Generally requiring fewer credit hours than degrees or transfer programs, a CCL may be your best first step into higher education.
A list of available certificates offered in the Theatre program
Name |
Type |
Title |
Courses |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Technical Theatre |
Pathway Map |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Technical Theatre: Costuming |
Pathway Map |
Certificate of Completion |
CCL |
Technical Theatre: Hair and Makeup |
Pathway Map |
Associate Degree
MCC’s associate degrees enhance your resume and prepare you to enter the workforce with an advantage. Whether you are interested in simply completing basic, required college courses or specializing in a specific area, there’s a degree for you.
A list of available associate degrees offered in the Theatre program
Name |
Type |
Title |
Courses |
Associate in Arts, Fine Arts |
AAFA |
Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Theatre |
Pathway Map |
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of a degree or certificate within the Theatre program may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages*. Some occupations may require additional education or training. You can click on any occupation to view more detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$24.13
Annual Median Wage
$50,199
Number of People Employed
514
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 16.3%
Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$21.52
Annual Median Wage
$44,766
Number of People Employed
1,381
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 7.5%
Construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard, using carpenter's hand tools and power tools.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$20.68
Annual Median Wage
$43,020
Annual Job Openings
1,782
Number of People Employed
16,058
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 9.2%
Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$19.63
Annual Median Wage
$40,840
Number of People Employed
58
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 20.7%
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Annual Median Wage
$17,782
Number of People Employed
527
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 16.9%
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$24.62
Annual Median Wage
$51,226
Annual Job Openings
1,152
Number of People Employed
14,827
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 4.5%
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$28.29
Annual Median Wage
$58,857
Number of People Employed
1,129
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 10.9%
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$19.31
Annual Median Wage
$40,182
Number of People Employed
125
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 8.8%
Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$35.06
Annual Median Wage
$72,944
Annual Job Openings
2,879
Number of People Employed
26,552
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 13.3%
Plan and coordinate various aspects of radio, television, stage, or motion picture production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging financing.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$26.74
Annual Median Wage
$55,628
Number of People Employed
1,105
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 10.0%
Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$28.29
Annual Median Wage
$58,857
Number of People Employed
1,129
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 10.9%
Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.
Typical Education Level
a Master's or Professional degree
Hourly Median Wage
$23.85
Annual Median Wage
$49,612
Number of People Employed
200
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 1.0%
Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$25.91
Annual Median Wage
$53,899
Number of People Employed
137
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 8.8%
Interpret script, conduct rehearsals, and direct activities of cast and technical crew for stage, motion pictures, television, or radio programs.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$26.74
Annual Median Wage
$55,628
Number of People Employed
1,105
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 10.0%
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Typical Education Level
a certificate
Hourly Median Wage
$33.67
Annual Median Wage
$70,039
Number of People Employed
100
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase by 27.0%
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer
Financial Aid
You can get a high-quality, affordable education. MCC’s low tuition rates and various financial aid opportunities make it possible. Explore federal and state grants, Federal Work-Study, scholarships, student loans, and other options today.
Meet with an Advisor
Before signing up for classes, you’ll want to meet with the academic advisor in the Theatre Arts program.
If you're interested in Theatre Arts Performance schedule an appointment with Mace Archer by email at [email protected].
If you're interested in Theatre Arts Design or Technical Production schedule an appointment with Kara Thompson by email at [email protected] or by phone at 480-461-7975.
Together you’ll lay out a program or career path that suits you best. This step is essential to your academic success, so don’t skip it, okay?