Theatre
School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
Join the next generation of storytellers acting, producing, directing and designing cultural works to shape our ever-changing society. After a foundational first year, branch into Performance Creation, Production & Design, or Acting to hone your skills and techniques. Realize your creations on stage with a fully mounted season of performances including Playground and the Devised Theater Festival.
The AMPD Advantage
- 2,000 square feet of carpentry studio for set construction.
- Diverse course offerings as one of Canada's largest and most comprehensive Theatre & Performance departments.
- A long and impressive track record of training theatre professionals.
- Over 50 years of leadership in Canadian theatre.
Program Structure
Students in the Theatre (BA; BFA) program share a common first year, taking courses across various fields of theatre and performance. After the first year, students can branch into one of four specializations based on their interests and goals: (1) Acting Conservatory (BFA); (2) Production and Design (BFA); (3) Performance Creation (BFA); and (4) Performance Creation (BFA).
Admission to some degree specializations is by audition or interview at the end of first year. Regardless of streams, students work together as actors, production and creative teams.
Students planning to pursue graduate studies or teaching degrees are strongly encouraged to take the Theatre BA program.
Theatre - Acting Conservatory, BFA Honours
With intensive studies in acting, movement and voice, the Acting Conservatory specialization in the Theatre (BFA) takes students deep into scene study, script analysis, and character development. Upper-year Conservatory members are cast in mainstage shows, featuring classic and contemporary masterpieces addressing today's cultural and political debates.
Theatre - Production and Design, BFA Honours
The Production and Design specialization in the Theatre (BFA) program features hands-on technical skills with creative aspects of theatre, such as set design, costume construction and stage management. The Production and Design specialization engages students in all elements of theatrical design and stage production. Studies in technical direction management complement sound, lighting, scenery, costume design, and construction courses.
Theatre - Performance Creation, BFA Honours
The Performance Creation specialization in the Theatre (BFA) program emphasizes studio coursework, such as Stagecraft, Devised Theatre, Scene Study, Playwriting, and Directing. In keeping with the broad scope of Performance Creation work, this specialization prepares students to move fluidly across artistic disciplines and assume a range of roles in collaborative performance settings. This specialization is ideal for students who want to produce sophisticated, meaningful performance work that engages with more significant social justice and sustainability issues.
Performance Creation, BFA Honours
The Performance Creation specialization in the Theatre (BFA) program focuses on drama and performance theory studies, criticism and history, and theatre education. Students may opt to take a broad range of courses or choose to specialize in one or more of the following areas of study: (a) Playwriting, learning to write for the stage; (b) Directing, supporting productions; and/or (c) Devised Theatre, focusing on the collaborative creation of original works, incorporating all elements of playmaking, design, and management.
Program Details
Offered by
School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
Offered at
- Keele Campus
Degrees offered
BA, BFA
Ways to study
Full-Time, Part-Time
Experiential Education
- Practicum
- Co-op or internship
- Class-focused
Fall entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Winter entry
No
Summer entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Experiential Education
Practicum, Co-op or internship, Class-focused
Sample Schedule (first year)
- Introduction to acting
- Introduction to stagecraft
- Introduction to theatre and performance studies
Possible career paths
- Performer
- Artistic director
- Technical director
- Stage designer
- Playwright
- Producer
- Casting director
- Production manager
- Scenic artist
- Dramaturg
- Costume designer
- Voice coach
- Stage manager
