Everyone can participate.
The Department of Theatre & Film at NHCC invites all NHCC students to participate in our creative activities: you don't need to be a theatre or film major to find a home in our department. Our department's play productions and film projects hold open auditions where all students on campus are invited to join in our creative journeys - on stage or behind the scenes. Participation in theatre & film courses develops creativity, talents & important soft skills. Students from all NHCC degree programs regularly participate in NHCC theatre & film courses & productions.
Join us!
DELIVERY OPTIONS
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On Campus
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Online
POPULAR CAREERS
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Actor
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Theatre Artist (Director, Designer, Stage Manager, Technical Theatre)
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Filmmaker
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Film Crew/production
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Screenwriter
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Playwright
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Broadcaster/Host
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Event Producer
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Drama Teacher
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Creative Director
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Community Arts Coordinator
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Drama Therapist
AWARDS
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Theatre Transfer Pathway AFA
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Film Emphasis AA
Participation in theatre or film productions & projects enables students to develop and nurture important soft skills.
- "Hard skills" consist of the specialized and technical knowledge of your trade or field.
- "Soft skills' concern human interactions needed for success in all careers.
- Soft skills are earned over time and developed through primary experiences, such as participating in the creative activities of theatre or film productions.
Soft skills are repeatedly named as the most highly desired skills sought by hiring teams in all career fields. Experience in theatre & film will enable you to develop your soft skills - no matter your career goals.
Creative work in theater & film hones soft skills such as:
- independent thinking
- adaptability & flexibility
- collaboration & teamwork
- emotional intelligence
- problem solving
- critical thinking
- innovation
- creativity
Acting & Technical Theater Opportunities at NHCC
When are auditions for plays/musicals?
Typically, the department produces one mainstage theater production per semester. All NHCC students are welcome and encouraged to audition.
We advertise heavily about auditions at the top of both fall and spring semesters:
- Find audition information posted on video monitors throughout campus
- Find audition information on posters and flyers placed across campus
- Find audition information on the NHCC app
- Find audition information on NHCC's social media accounts
- Email Dr. Irma Mayorga to inquire about audition information.
Can I help backstage?
Plays require tremendous backstage folks in order to make them successful.
We have many backstage opportunities for students, and students can also register for course credit for their participation in crews/backstage/technical theater roles. With course credit, your vital experience is documented on your student transcript.
We have the following opportunities:
- Backstage crew
- Build crew
- Properties maker
- Costuming
- Sound and/or light board operator
- Stage managers
Email Dr. Irma Mayorga to inquire about technical opportunities.
We are always looking for help!
I've never been in a play or worked in film before...but I'm very interested in trying...what should I do?
College is the perfect time to try something new you've been curious or interested about. Try out an acting class, audition for a role in a play, take a course in film history, or help out backstage. Pursuing new opportunities and interests that stretch and nurture you is an important part of the college experience and helps to instill life-long learning.
We welcome all students - beginners to seasoned, emerging artists! We encourage you to reach out to us about your interest in theatre and film.
- Email Dr. Irma Mayorga to inquire about opportunities.
Theatre & Film Degree Programs at NHCC
Learn more about the Theatre Transfer Pathway, Associate of Fine Arts degree program
The Theatre Transfer Pathway AFA degree is a 2-year degree designed to aid transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree or to launch the early career of an emerging theatre artist.
Learn more about the Film Emphasis, Associate in Arts degree program
The Film Emphasis AA degree is a 2-year degree designed to aid transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree or to launch the early career of an emerging filmmaker.
Scholarships for Students in Theatre
NHCC's scholarship application is an easy one-application process that automatically considers you for any scholarship you're eligible for. Scholarships are based primarily on GPA, credit load, and if you're a new or returning student. If you're enrolled in six credits and have a 2.0 GPA, you will qualify for many scholarships.
Awards range from $500 to $5,000.
The application period for 2023-2024 academic year scholarships is now closed.
The application period for 2024-2025 academic year scholarships will open February 2024.
Learn more about the application process.
Creative Courage Theater Scholarship - $1,000 award
- For students pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Theater OR those enrolled in at least two theater courses per academic year
- Regular NHCC application essay
- You will also need to write an additional short essay that answers a question concerning this particular scholarship
- You must be enrolled with a minimum of six credits and have a minimum 2.0 GPA
Ricci Theatre Major Scholarship - $500 award
- For students pursuing a full-time or part-time Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Theater
- Regular NHCC application essay
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- You will also need to obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or other appropriate recommender
Marie Zieminski Art & Theatre Endowed Scholarship - $850 award
- For returning NHCC students
- You must have participated in a Department of Theater production OR have art work displayed in a student gallery exhibition at NHCC
- Regular NHCC application essay
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Current students with a minimum of six credits enrollment or new students who plan to enroll with a minimum of six credits
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need by completing a FAFSA or Dream Act application
- You will need to obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or other appropriate recommender
Need help writing your scholarship application essays? The NHCC Writing Center instructors will help you! They know the application process thoroughly and are eager to help you with writing and/or feedback for your application.
Where is the NHCC Department of Theatre & Film located on campus?
The Department of Theatre and Film is located in the Fine Arts Center (FAC).
- The Fine Arts Center is home to the Departments of Art, Music, and Theatre & Film.
- The Fine Arts Center is located directly next to the NHCC Science Building.
- The Fine Arts Center is located at the intersection of 84th Ave. N. & W. Broadway Ave. Parking is available in the NHCC West Parking lot - also located at 84th Ave. N. and W. Broadway Ave.
- The Fine Arts Center is the location of the NHCC Main Theatre.
Recent Theatre Productions
AIRNESS
by Chelsea Marcantel
November 15 - 18, 2023 * NHCC Black Box Theater
Visit the web page for AIRNESS
View the AIRNESS promo trailer
Where do air guitar fanatics go to express their inner shred genius? They’re found in dive bars and cramped stages across the U.S. as they battle it out in competition in order to qualify for the National Air Guitar Championship! When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But when she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next great air guitar champion, she discovers that there's more to this art form than playing pretend; it's about finding yourself in your favorite songs and performing with raw joy.
Airness is an exuberant reminder that everything we need to rock is already inside us. “This all might be pretend, but it’s serious pretend.”
Director: Dr. Irma Mayorga, Theatre Faculty
Lighting, Scenic, Projection Design + Technical Direction: Lisa Kudas, Theatre Faculty
Choreography: Martinoa Mayotte, Guest Artist
Costume Design: Heidi Batz, Guest Artist
Sound Design: Tom Sherman, Guest Artist
Sound Board: Mike Mantini, Guest Artist
Stage Manager: Kaz Anderson, NHCC Student
She Kills Monsters
by Qui Nguyen
April 26 - 29, 2023
VISIT THE DIGITAL PROGRAM FOR SHE KILLS MONSTERS
View the She Kills Monsters Promo Trailer
A comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games. She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly.
When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she stumbles into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was Tilly’s refuge.
In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and ‘90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
Director: Søren Olsen, Theatre Faculty
Lighting, Scenic, Sound, and Projection Design: Søren Olsen, Theatre Faculty
Fight Choreography: Mason Tyer, Guest Artist
Costume Design: Ash Kaun, Guest Artist
Stage Manager: Shatha Elkhair, NHCC Student
The Theory of Relativity
Music & lyrics lyrics by Neil Bartram and Book by Brian Hill
November 16 - 19, 2022
Visit The Theory of Relativity's web page
Visit The Theory of Relativity's Digital Program
View The Theory of Relativity Promo Trailer
Through a seemingly unrelated collection of songs, scenes, and monologues, The Theory of Relativity introduces a compelling array of young adult characters experiencing the joys and heartbreaks, the liaisons and losses, the inevitability and the wonder of human connection. Working with the metaphor of Albert Einstein’s landmark theory E = MC2 and the principles that underpin Einstein’s belief that “only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile,” this fresh, contemporary musical is a joyous and poignant journey that examines the wonders and complexities of our surprisingly interconnected lives.
Director: Dr. Irma Mayorga, Theatre Faculty
Music Director: Martinoa Mayotte, Guest Artist
Scenic Design: Leazah Behrens, Guest Artist
Lighting & Sound Design + Technical Direction: Søren Olsen, Theatre Faculty
Movement Consultant: Leigh Dillard, Visiting Theatre Faculty
Stage Manager: Marthalyn Nehwah, NHCC student
Everybody
by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
April 21 - 23 & 28, 2022
On that fateful day when we face death, who (or what!) will stand at our side? And, what will we think about the actions done and choices made in our lives?
Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is a modern riff of Everyman (one of the oldest English language plays) that brings this 600-year-old morality play up to the moment of our pandemic times.
Highly allegorical and contemplative yet infused with irony and irreverence, the central question of human existence is the beating heart of Everybody. The play’s storytelling asks what we all wonder: Who am I? Why am I here? Where will I be going when I leave this earth? Written by Brooklyn-based, MacArthur “Genius” grant winner and luminary Black playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Everybody was a finalist selection for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
While the 15th-century play Everyman focused on telling medieval people how to die, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Everybody flips the script and asks us to reflect on how we live. Audiences will see themselves mirrored in the play’s allegorical characters as they explore powerful themes such as friendship, family, and love in ways both serious and comical.
Director: Dr. Irma Mayorga, Theater Faculty
Scenic & Lighting Design + Technical Direction: Søren Olsen, Theater Faculty
Costume Design: Sarah Bissonette, Guest Artist
Love Sonnets: monologues, scenes, and songs from the plays of Charles Mee
Adaptation & Dramaturgy by Dr. Irma Mayorga
Dec. 1 - 4, 2021
In a time of pandemic…we need more love.
Love Sonnets offers exuberant stories about love & loving on the NHCC stage. Aching love, desperate love, frustrated love, secret love, “I want you bad” love, and “why you so bad to me” love. Through a collage of monologues and scenes gathered from the plays of venerated playwright Charles Mee, an ensemble cast of four women render scorching investigations into the chaos, pain, and unbounded joy of loving. Falling in love…falling out of love…knocked out by love…love at first sight…love in anger…love without boundaries. Even in lockdown, we still loved…don’t you need more love?
Director: Dr. Irma Mayorga, Theater Faculty
Scenic & Lighting Design + Technical Direction: Søren Olsen, Theater Faculty
Sound, Costume & Puppet Design: Dr. Irma Mayorga, Theater Faculty
