Central Piedmont Community College

Central Piedmont Community College offers a structured A.F.A. in Theatre, tailored for students who plan to transfer into a four-year theatre program. Through designed tracks in Performance or Technical Theatre, the program ensures a comprehensive foundation by combining general education requirements with focused training in acting, design, voice, makeup, stagecraft, and production practicum. Courses are aligned with guaranteed transfer pathways to UNC system schools and partner institutions.

The curriculum includes foundational courses in Theatre Appreciation, Literature of the Theatre, Voice for Performance, Acting I, and Acting for the Camera I—taught in studio‑style labs that encourage ensemble collaboration and skill development. Technical theatre offerings cover Stagecraft I & II, Costuming, Stage Make‑Up, and Lighting for the Theatre, fostering practical experience through active participation in production support roles.

Hands-on learning is embedded through Play Production courses where students earn credit by contributing to real stage productions from day one. Students rotate through roles in acting, technical support, and crew positions across multiple productions each year—providing portfolio-building opportunities and exposure to all facets of theatre-making.

CPCC’s theatre productions are presented in its own performance facilities, and the theatre department also participates in the broader Parr Arts & Humanities Series at Central Piedmont’s downtown venues. The college runs programs such as Summer Theatre Academy and community-access shows which further represent its emphasis on both student opportunity and public arts engagement.

Graduates emerge with both academic credits ready for transfer and practical theatre experience. With affordable tuition, a hands-on curriculum, a professional production environment, and clear transfer pathways, CPCC’s Theatre Arts program provides a firm foundation for students seeking to pursue theatre training or educational pathways at four-year colleges.