The image shows a scene from the musical "Kinky Boots," featuring performers in bright red knee-high boots. The central performer, in a red sequin dress, leads the group in a lively dance. The stage is vibrant, with colorful lighting and costumes, including a Union Jack dress and a suit.

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.

Professional theater training is offered in three areas or concentrations:

Professional Acting/Advanced Acting 

Professional Costume Design 

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.

General Theater Studies

 2023 - 2024 Season 

Student Directed One Acts, February 29th - March 2nd at 7pm
Voices Experimental Production: "Shape of Where We Are," exploring Asian artists' history in the US, and "Ma Bell's Escape," supporting individuals through life transitions.
Odyssey Theatre and L.A. City College Theatre Academy present Theatre Movement Bazaar’s new work, inspired by Alice in Wonderland and set in a modern Hollywood studio

 

The Third Production, supported by the Latino Theater Company: "Queen of Califas," about an untold Latin story set in L.A.

 

 

Theatre_Academy_poster

Theatre Academy Production Oct. 26-28

 

When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?

Written by Mark Medoff
Directed by Louie Piday

November 30, December 1 & 2, 7 pm
Matinee December 2, 2 pm

Going Mad: Alice in Hollywoodland
(a workshop production)

Alice standing in front of a classic film studio gates

Written by Richard Alger
Directed by Tina Kronis

December 14, 15, 16, 7 pm
Matinee December 16, 2 pm

 

LACC Acting Program Applicants

Three Actors Performing on Stage

A School for Scandal
Preview the Acting Program

  • Acting candidates are required to audition and/or interview before being invited to train at the Academy. Those interested in auditioning for the LACC Theatre Academy should fill out the Online Acting Program Application. They will then be contacted by phone with an audition appointment.
  • The LACC Theatre Academy will accept online auditions. In an online Zoom audition, we ask the actors to perform one monologue (2 min) instead of two. Next scheduled audition time: TBA
  • 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

Woman Making Costumes

Technical Theater Entertainment Technology Applicants

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.

Melancholia_awards

 

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.

Actress Performing in Melancholia Show

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)

Production photos

Hover over image for play title

Technical Load-in

 Prefer to mail your application?

Man Acting in the Theater

 

!!Slow connection? Having trouble with the online application? You may also download a printable application and mail it to:

LACC Theatre Academy
Los Angeles City College
855 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90029

If accepted to the Academy, students must also apply and be accepted to Los Angeles City College.

Technical Load-in

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

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.

 LACC THEATER DEPARTMENT

Theater Department Office

Theater Arts Building 208

To leave a message:
Phone: (323) 953-4000 ext. 2970
Email: lacc-@email

Visitors and playgoers: Please visit LACCD Check-In before arriving

 

 

 

 

 

Theater Department Box Office:
To leave a message:
Phone: (323) 953-4000 ext. 2990
Email: @email

Acting Program:
Costume Design Program:
Eddie Bledsoe
Email: @email

Department Chair:
Eddie Bledsoe
@email

Technical Theater Entertainment Technology Program:
Johnny Garofalo
Email: @email