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Join the action! Whether you’re passionate about acting, costume design, or technical theater, our programs offer hands-on training, expert guidance, and opportunities to shine. Enroll today and take the first step toward your spotlight!
Apply NowAugust 29, in Partnership with the Latino Theater Company
A powerful story of identity, activism, and community.
August 29 explores the Chicano Movement through the legacy of journalist Ruben Salazar. Presented in partnership with the Latino Theater Company’s Impact Initiative, this production helps provide free access to live theater for all LACCD students—connecting our community through performance, dialogue, and the power of storytelling.
LACC Theater Department / LACC Theatre Academy
The Theatre Academy at Los Angeles City College is one of the most highly respected theater training institutions in the United States. Since its founding in 1929, this professional theater training program has been dedicated to developing the skills, crafts, and attitudes of students to prepare them for careers in professional theater, as well as television, film, and other areas of the entertainment industry.
2025 - 2026 Current Season
Coming Soon
2024 - 2025 Season
2023 - 2024 Season
Mission Statement
The LACC Theater Arts Department and Theatre Academy foster student learning in creative exploration through robust conservatory training in the fields of acting, costuming, and technical theater.
Production photos
Hover over image for play title
12 Angry Men
The Cherry Orchard
Top Girls
Model Behavior
Levi
The Government Inspector
Waiting for Lefty
Freddy
Crocodile Seeking Refuge
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
Each April, the Kennedy Center welcomes about 125 outstanding theater students to the KCACTF National Festival. Student awardees in design, performance, directing, playwriting, stage management, dramaturgy, arts leadership, and theatre criticism, are invited from all eight Regions.
Through master classes, presentations, conversations, and staged readings, students learn from and connect with established theatre artists, as well as their peers from across the country.
In Spring 2023 LACC's National Costume finalist, Maria Catarina Copelli was awarded 2nd place in a separate competition and workshops. She was flown to Washington DC for the week.
Melancholia was honored with 11 additional ‘National’ awards:
- Distinguished Production of a Play
- Distinguished Director of a Play (Jose Luis Valenzuela)
- Distinguished Performance and Production Ensemble
- Citizen Artist Award
- Distinguished Production Design
- Distinguished Achievement in Stage Management (Melanie Hatzenbuhler, Cristian Venegas, Sophia Marcos-Jeronimo, Emma Baker)
- Distinguished Sound (John Zalewski)
- Lighting Design (John A. Garofalo)
- Costume Design (Maria Catarina Copelli)
- Distinguished Achievement in Movement Direction
- Distinguished Performance by an Actor (Valerie Vega, Arnol Zepeda)
LACC Acting Program Applicants
A School for Scandal
Preview the Acting Program
- Acting candidates must audition or interview to be invited to train at the LACC Theatre Academy. To begin, complete the Acting Application at the top of this page. We’ll email you at the address you provide with further instructions and next steps.
- Once given further instructions, the applicant will submit a single 2-minute monologue video by uploading it to the dedicated folder link. Before filming, please review the video requirements. Our faculty will evaluate your submission and email you with follow-up information.
- Do you have other questions? See also Theatre Academy FAQ
- If accepted to the Academy, students must also apply and be accepted to Los Angeles City College.
Apply to Los Angeles City College
LACC Costume Program Applicants
- Please review the Costume Program.
- See also LACC Theatre Academy FAQ.
- If accepted to the Academy, students must also apply and be accepted to Los Angeles City College.
Apply to Los Angeles City College.
Technical Theater Entertainment Technology Applicants
- Please review the Technical Theater Entertainment Technology Program.
- See also Theatre Academy FAQ.
- If accepted to the Academy, students must also apply and be accepted to Los Angeles City College.
Apply to Los Angeles City College
But you're not looking for a full-time theatre program?
Maybe you just need a class or two to transfer?
Check Out General Theater Studies.
Curious about past seasons or productions?
SeeTheater Performance Archives
Useful Links
College Catalog
Schedule of Classes
LACC THEATER DEPARTMENT
Professional theater training is offered in three areas or concentrations:
Professional Acting/Advanced Acting
Technical Theater Entertainment Technology
All prospective Academy students are required to apply for admission to the Theatre Academy.
Apply to the LACC Theatre Academy
The Theater Department also offers courses for the AA degree and for transfer that can be taken independently of the professional program.