Fine Arts and Entertainment Technology

Chair Lillian “Claire” Orenduff
Director Eric Flagg, Graphic Design and Digital Media
Program Advisor Kelly Cartier, Graphic Design and Digital Media
Program Advisor, Sarah White, Theatre and Entertainment
Academic Assistant Heather Albright

The Fine Arts and Entertainment Technology department offers three A.S. degree programs in Graphic Design Technology, Digital Media Technology, and Theatre and Entertainment Technology.

Graphic Design Technology and Digital Media Technology
The Graphic Design Technology and Digital Media prepare students to enter careers in the fields of graphic design, video production, digital and multimedia and digital broadcast. The faculty and staff of these A.S. programs work closely with an advisory board made up of local and regional professionals in the Graphic Design, Video, Advertising, Broadcast and Digital Media fields. Members of this board act as liaisons to the professional field providing student portfolio review, assistance with employment opportunities and offering professional input on curriculum and technology needs for the students/faculty.

Students who complete the Digital Media Technology A.S. (video production) in this department are eligible to apply for the BAS in Multimedia and Video Production Technology at Santa Fe College.

The lab and classroom facilities for these programs at Santa Fe College include dedicated computer instructional classrooms with state-of-the-art networked computer workstations, green-screen studios, various layout, production and photography studios and a sound recording room.

A college-sponsored organization, the Graphic Design Student Association, is open to all students interested in graphic design, video and digital media technology. Members participate in many professional development and public service activities throughout the year. The club provides opportunities for students to use their multimedia and design skills to work on community projects. It also sponsors guest speakers, field trips, and professional networking.

Contact the Digital Media Technology office in Building N, room 309, 352-395-5579, for information.

Theatre and Entertainment Technology
Theatre and Entertainment Technology is a specific discipline within the wider environment of Performing Arts. Theatre and Entertainment categories are broad and require support from trained personnel across many areas.

The AS in Theatre and Entertainment Technology prepares students to work as front- and back-of-house technicians in a theatre, event, and entertainment industry environment. The program is comprised of basic theatre technology, general education, and advanced technical courses. Hands-on learning takes place in both the classroom setting and in live production situations to provide students with the principles and practices required for employment in the rapidly expanding and “high tech” entertainment industry.

Student progress is tracked including individual creation of a Technical Arts Portfolio. Students are supervised by Theatre and Entertainment Technology Instructors (a.k.a. Technical Theatre Instructors) on progress and inclusions to culminating in a final portfolio presentation to the entire Technical Theatre Staff.

Students are expected to progress through this program with their cohort.

Upon completion of the program students may work as journeyman stagehands or as specialists in the areas of stage carpentry, electronics, audio, properties, rigging, projectionist, event managers, or technical directors. There are positions available for stage technicians in the touring business of theatre, opera, dance, and the music industry. Theme parks, cruise ships, convention centers, trade show companies, casinos, the film industry, houses of worship, celebration and event companies, and other fields with live presentations employ stage technicians.

Contact Program Advisor, Sarah White in the Fine Arts Hall FA-113, 352-395-7343, for information.