LACC’s Theatre Academy helps students understand themselves and appreciate the ensemble

The start of something magical

No story lives unless someone is there to tell it, and Los Angeles City College’s (LACC) Theatre Academy is building the next generation of storytellers. Acting has always been a medium portrayed as “performance” rather than something real, but the magic of acting comes to life when you’re true to who you are. That magic is being born in students at LACC as we speak. 

We received the gift of storytelling and, with this, the obligation to share it with the world.

At LACC, students are learning about more than acting; they’re learning who they are. As Melanie Hatzenbuhler, an LACC student, described it, “You don’t only learn about acting but also about your voice and body and about the technical and other creative aspects of the theater.” Melanie had the opportunity to practice these techniques while acting in a production at the Latino Theatre Company in downtown LA.

LACC students’ potential for storytelling only scratches the surface. As students master themselves, their stories as expert communicators, technical professionals, and master storytellers will only continue to take shape.

It takes a team

The Theatre Academy builds an appreciation for every part of the ensemble. Whether your role is building props, connecting lights, camera acting, directing, or being front-and-center on stage, LACC teaches students to treat others as equal members of the team. In a learning environment where there are few egos and every student strives to be the best version of themselves, you can’t help but feel that you can accomplish anything.

Always stay humble, no matter who you are, where you come from, and how successful you are.

Nothing speaks to the commitment to show appreciation more than LACC’s Theatre Appreciation class (TA 105). Students have the chance to perform scenes, monologues, or other work from different classes in front of everyone once a week. Students also have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers who have had experience in the industry as they share stories of their own. 

You never finish learning, so stay curious, listen to people sharing knowledge with you, and never stop taking classes