Theatre
Associate in Arts (Performance - Acting/Directing)- Cost
- $11,427*
Deliver vivid, genuine performances
Boost your theatrical resume
If the world is your stage, make theatre your career. Practice your craft and intensify your performance abilities with a 2-year associate degree in Theatre Performance at CLC. You gain extensive knowledge in theatre literature and theory while you gain hands-on skills and experience as you prepare for a competitive theatre program at a 4-year institution.
Theatre’s multifaceted career paths include acting, directing, design, stage management or teaching. Work on live stage productions, television and film. Whether you have a passion for being on stage or working behind the scenes, our experienced instructors nurture your creativity and ambition.
What can you do with an A.A. in Theatre Performance?
The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree in Theatre Performance prepares you to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in theatre, teaching or related fields, which prepares you for these careers.
State-of-the-art facilities
Take your talent to the stage at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts (JLC) located on campus. The JLC features three modern performance spaces poised to showcase professional touring events and concerts, as well as our student music, dance and theatre performances and productions.
Highlights
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Performance Opportunities
Step into the spotlight with productions through fall and spring terms. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Transfer Degree
Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
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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.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $26,040
- Median
- $41,393
- Senior-Level
- $222,409
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $12.51
- Median
- $19.89
- Senior-Level
- $106.92
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 61.66%
- Certificate
- 3.81%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 20.68%
- Master's Degree
- 13.86%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $23,191
- Median
- $49,798
- Senior-Level
- $114,015
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $11.14
- Median
- $23.93
- Senior-Level
- $54.81
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 25%
- Some college
- 25%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 30%
- Master's Degree
- 20%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $32,786
- Median
- $44,901
- Senior-Level
- $75,013
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.76
- Median
- $21.58
- Senior-Level
- $36.06
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 42.63%
- Certificate
- 7.52%
- Some college
- 14.85%
- Associate Degree
- 3.86%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 29.6%
- Master's Degree
- 1.54%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $27,092
- Median
- $52,631
- Senior-Level
- $108,021
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $13.02
- Median
- $25.30
- Senior-Level
- $51.93
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 79.23%
- Certificate
- 13.54%
- Some college
- 7.24%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $22,423
- Median
- $47,618
- Senior-Level
- $137,682
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $10.78
- Median
- $22.89
- Senior-Level
- $66.19
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 4.53%
- Certificate
- 1.03%
- Some college
- 25.39%
- Associate Degree
- 36.17%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 23.98%
- Master's Degree
- 8.91%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $24,444
- Median
- $60,932
- Senior-Level
- $248,005
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $11.74
- Median
- $29.29
- Senior-Level
- $119.23
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 26.09%
- Certificate
- 43.48%
- Some college
- 13.04%
- Associate Degree
- 4.35%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 13.04%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $37,606
- Median
- $76,274
- Senior-Level
- $181,771
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $18.07
- Median
- $36.66
- Senior-Level
- $87.39
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 31.19%
- Some college
- 14.99%
- Associate Degree
- 1.82%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 52%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you
- complete the admission process
- choose an academic program
- enroll in first-semester classes
- get access to helpful resources
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Learn how CLC helps you transfer
Start at CLC and continue with a 4-year school to earn your bachelor's degree. CLC has partnerships with many colleges and universities, covering a wide range of programs.
Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.
Theatre at CLC: Get the bigger picture
This transfer degree is just one possible way to study Theatre. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
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CLC’s Theatre Department presents five fully mounted productions each year, including one children’s production in the fall and a musical in the summer. Each season is carefully chosen to showcase the best classical and contemporary plays in a variety of theatrical genres and styles.
With smaller class sizes and less competition from seniors, you can step into the spotlight with senior-level performance roles—during your freshman and sophomore years. You gain advanced knowledge and experience that can help get you recruited by four-year schools.
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During this 2-year program, you gain versatile knowledge and skills in performance theatre:
- analysis of historical, social, aesthetic and technical aspects of traditional and contemporary theatrical production
- apply principles, techniques and materials of stage makeup
- basic principles of directing
- develop a healthy, expressive voice for the stage
- fundamental skills and concepts of acting and ensemble work
- oral communication (develop, research, organize, adapt, deliver and critique messages)
- practical applications of scene construction and lighting
- understand diversity in contemporary U.S. society and how it relates to dramatic literature
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Theatre courses are approved for a seamless transfer to Illinois colleges and universities under the Illinois Articulation Initiative. Here are some great options:
- Complete your bachelor's degree in Lake County: Continue your education online or in person at the Grayslake Campus through the University Center of Lake County.
- Guaranteed transfer admission: Seamlessly transfer to 30+ 4-year partners and get admitted to your transfer school in your first semester at CLC.
- Explore the many more transfer options available.
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Yes. There’s a distinct advantage to earning your associate degree—a 30% advantage. The Brookings Institution reports that employees with associate degrees earn 30% more on average than those with high school diplomas. Over a lifetime, the earnings of an associate degree recipient are roughly $170,000 higher than those of a high school graduate.
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Yes! Researchers have looked at how community college students fare after transferring. The biggest marker for success? Finishing your associate degree before transferring. In fact, those students seem to do better at the 4-year than students who started at the 4-year.
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The estimated cost of this program appears at the top of this web page, under the program title.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees, such as for books and materials. It does not factor in financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
View courses with variable tuition and fees
Many opportunities exist at CLC to get financial assistance. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
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