Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) – Theatre

This track offers pre-professional training in stage and film performance which prepares you for a range of outcomes including professional employment in theatre, film or television, transfer into leading state and national college training programs, and the awarding of an Associate in Fine Arts degree.

Credentialing Options

Career Opportunities

The Associate in Fine Arts in Theatre degree shall be granted for a planned program of study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester hours of college transfer courses.

Optional Classes

Our departmental productions are open auditions to the students and the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC.  During the advising process you will have the opportunity to indicate your desire to study within this curriculum. Your advisor will help you sign up for the specific courses you need.

Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid web page or contact the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822 Option 3.

GTCC Theatre produces two main stage productions a year, one each semester. Auditions are posted within the first couple weeks of the semester and we rotate style of play/musical to give our students varied production experiences. We also have second stage performances that include short-form improvisation shows from our resident improv troupe Spontaneous, staged readings with Triad Stage’s educational initiatives, new play workshops and performances as well as guest professional artists. 

GTCC Theatre also has hosted the first Triad Theatre League Theatre Festival which included performances from theatres and companies across the Triad on our High Point Campus.

GTCC Theatre is a proud member of The North Carolina Theatre Conference, NC Thespians and the Triad Theatre League.

Julya M. Mirro holds an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and BA degrees in sociology (psychology) and theatre (English) from Virginia Wesleyan College. Her foci include acting technique (focus on Spolin and Meisner) and Black Theatre. She has been a practitioner for over 40 years, working in the field as director, producer, educator, designer, actor, and has served on numerous boards, presented at conferences, and been published in several areas of study including the Harlem Renaissance and Shakespeare. Representative projects include: "Conversations with Hitler" (world premiere; director/producer), "Seven" (actor), Fat Pig (actor), "Hamlet and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead" (in rep; director/producer), and "The Roaring Girl) (director/producer). She has extensive experience in serving as managing director, artistic director, and has owned two professional theatre companies. Julya is committed to training students and providing opportunities so they may be effective and employable members of the arts community.  Her students have gone on to act on Broadway, with tours, and in film and television, as well as serving communities as directors, educators, and technicians.

You can do a lot with this major! Theatre arts majors go on to successful careers in the arts, business, education, government, performance, technology, design, publishing, and much more.

Students may transfer and continue to pursue either a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) or choose to graduate with the AFA and begin their career.

Job titles related to this major include:

  • Actor (Stage, Film, Television)
  • Agent
  • Attorney
  • Business Manager
  • Casting Director
  • Costume Designer
  • Consultant
  • Dialect Coach
  • Director
  • Editor
  • Festival Coordinator
  • Higher Education Professional
  • Lighting Designer
  • Life Coach
  • Make-Up Artist
  • Model
  • Performing Artist
  • Producer
  • Public Relations Assistant
  • Puppeteer
  • Researcher
  • Set Designer
  • Singer
  • Sound Designer
  • Stage Manager
  • Talent Agent
  • Teacher
  • Technical Director
  • Theatre or Film Technician
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • Writer / Playwright

Theatre arts majors develop great skills that are applicable to a wide variety of careers. These skills include:

  • Performance and presentation skills (whether live or on camera)
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Project management skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Ability to work individually and collaboratively
  • Creative problem-solving skills
  • Listening, clarifying, questioning and responding skills
  • Critical thinking skills

The Uniform Articulation Agreement focuses on seamless transfer for students who begin theatre studies at a community college and then transfer to one of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Bachelor of Arts programs.