Why Study Visual and Performing Arts?
Visual and Performing artists can inspire, teach, entertain, or move us. Using words, images or the unspoken language of dance and music, performing artists can create a bridge of imagination that brings people together. Studying Visual and Performing Arts helps develop self-expression, self-discipline, and builds confidence, creativity and communication skills. Students choose a concentration in either General Studies, Music, Theater, or Cinema and Film Studies and can explore a range of styles and genres. Dance courses include choreography, ballet, jazz and modern. Music courses include Songwriting, Harmony, Jazz, Contemporary Music Ensemble, as well as private instruction in piano, guitar, bass, drums, voiced digital music. Acting courses are offered from beginning to advanced levels and additional theatre courses include Playwriting, Improvisation, Shakespeare, Television and a wide range of theatrical stage combat disciplines. We also offer courses in cinema and film studies, such as cinematic comedy, acting for film, Star Wars: movies to modern myth, History of Cinema, Content Creation (Podcasting) and Directing for the Screen, to name a few.
Our Faculty
Our distinguished faculty members include professionals in theater, television, songwriting, modern dance, playwriting and stage combat. Special workshops for students include world-renowned artists such as Royal Shakespeare Company actors, Broadway and Hollywood Directors/Producers and Fight Masters from the Society of American Fight Directors. In addition, among our 100 full-time and 400 part-time faculty members at RCC are numerous Fulbright Scholars, SUNY Chancellor’s Award winners, published authors and professional artists. Average class size of 20 allows faculty members to work one-on-one with students.
School of Arts, Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Degree Tracks & Course Sequence
Associate of Science (AS): Visual and Performing Arts
- Cinema and Film Studies
- General Studies Track
- Music Track
- Theater Track
Real World Ready
Listening to workforce needs
Graduates of Rockland Community College are provided with a clear path to meaningful careers that meet the needs of businesses and industry in the communities we serve. Our students are trained in specific skills that are needed by employers, and guided through a career path that leads directly to workforce opportunities. With affordable tuition, students who begin their college careers at RCC are ready to meet the demands of the real world.
Free Career Exploration Assessment [ACCESS CODE: pathways]
Student Success
At Rockland Community College, you are provided with a Student Success Team that will help you with your academic journey, career exploration, transfer planning, support service referrals, and more! Your Team includes your Dean, Program Director, Faculty Advisor, Student Success Advisor, Connection Center Counselor, Financial Aid Advisor, Peer Mentors, and if you’re involved in any of these special programs, your Athletics, Honors, TRiO, and Veterans Advisors. During your first semester, you will take an ‘Introduction to the School’ course that will outline the various College offices and departments that can help you on your path.
Career Outlook
Upon completing the program, students will be prepared for transfer to a four-year institution where they can further their education in an area of their choosing. Students who are successful in this degree program and the programs to which they may transfer may find positions within the professional entertainment industry, such as actors, dancers, musicians, stagehands, directors, choreographers, and producers, as well as in the fields of education, theatre management, podcasting, filmmaking, and other related areas.
Internships
Students have interned at professional theatres, such as the Penguin Repertory Theatre Co. and also with leaders in the fields, such as Oscar-winning film director Jonathan Demme, award-winning Broadway director Joe Brancato and Award-winning musical composer Neil Berg, as well as other prominent artists.
Job Roles
Actor, Dancer, Musician (Studio and live), Choreographer (Stage Combat and Dance), Educator/Professor, Theatre/Film Technician, Stage Manager/Stagehand, Writer/Director/Producer, Teacher Assistant, Online Content Creator, Voice Over Artist, and Motion Capture Performer (Film/Video Games)
Industries
Theatre, Film, Music, Entertainment, Video Games, Education, as well as cross-over fields such as Music Therapy and other forms of arts in wellness
Careers
Choreographers
Producers and Directors
Audio and Video Technicians
Employment and wage data by occupation are based on the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, which collects information from approximately 51,000 businesses. bls.gov
Alumni Spotlight
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Rockland Community College, State University of New York, offers a safe, supportive learning environment for thousands of students from diverse backgrounds. RCC has become the “first choice” for parents and students. Thanks to our affordable tuition, students can save $100,000 on a college education by starting at RCC and transferring to outstanding four-year colleges.