Theatre Program

Theatre

BFA HONOURS
BA HONOURS

Offered as:
Full-time and Part-time

Entry in:
Summer, Fall and Winter



Theatre Program Video Description Transcript
Theatre Students

OVERVIEW

Theatre

Immerse yourself in all facets of theatre-making. Learn to work collaboratively backstage and onstage. AMPD’s Theatre programs expose students to many aspects of theatre, offering experiences that mirror the professional world.

Theatre programs immerse students in all aspects of theatre, fostering the ability to specialize or to assume a wide range of roles and apply various approaches to performance. Incoming students share a common first-year curriculum in which they take courses across the various fields of theatre and performance. At the end of first year, students branch into a particular program according to their interests and goals*. Throughout the programs, students work as members of creative and production teams for department shows, including Theatre@York productions.

*Entry into some programs in second year is by audition or interview.

HIGHLIGHTS

Top 6 reasons to apply

One of Canada’s largest and most comprehensive theatre departments

Multiple pathways to choose from

State-of-the-art facilities

A dynamic season of fully mounted plays, festivals, and studio productions

Professional placement opportunities

Connections with professional artists active in all aspects of the industry

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

Admission

Year One

Theatre Students

OVERVIEW

The first year is a Foundation Year common to all Theatre students, and includes courses in Acting, Production and Design, and Performance Creation and Research. At the end of the first year, students may apply, either by audition or interview, to move into one of the BFA degree programs, or continue as BA students. All students accepted into the Department of Theatre in AMPD enter as Honours BA Theatre majors, during which there are plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning and being involved in the many aspects of theatre making.

First year highlights

Become immersed in the Theatre program from day one

Prime Time

PRIME TIME

Held on specified Wednesdays throughout the year, Prime Time is an opportunity for students to meet our renowned alumni and other theatre professionals and engage openly on issues relevant to theatre makers.

Play Ground

playGROUND

This student-run theatre festival offers all students a chance to showcase their talents and work collaboratively with friends and colleagues to mount new works.

Faculty Advisors

FACULTY ADVISORS

Each first-year student has a dedicated faculty advisor who provides support and guidance. Students are encouraged to meet with faculty advisors at least once in each term.

Sample courses

Into to Acting

Introduces the principles, processes and skills of acting for the stage. Students will rehearse and perform a variety of class presentations, and actively participate in warm-ups, theatre games and acting exercises.

Intro to Stagecraft

Introduces the fundamentals and vocabulary of theatrical stagecraft and design for performance. In addition to lectures and labs, all first-year students learn the work of putting on a show through intensive hands-on roles as the crew for all production in the evening and on weekends.

Intro to Theatre & Performance

Designed to introduce Theatre students to the key concepts and debates animating Theatre Studies today.

YOUR CHOICE OF FOUR STREAMS

Years Two to Four

Theatre Students

OVERVIEW

The Department of Theatre offers two similar programs in Performance Creation; one has a stronger emphasis on studies and academic work and results in a Bachelor of Arts Honours (BA), while the other highlights studio work and culminates in a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours (BFA).

The BFA in Performance Creation prepares students to move fluidly across artistic disciplines and to assume a wide range of roles in collaborative performance settings, including creating, writing, designing and performing original work. The Performance Creation program encourages students to explore a wide range of interests, as well as introducing various approaches to performance, theatre creation, theatre education and applied theatre, including activist performance, community-based performance and performance ethnography.

The BA in Performance Creation focuses on studies in dramatic and performance theory, criticism and history, and theatre in education. Students may choose to specialize in Playwriting and New Play Dramaturgy, where they will learn to write for the stage; or Devised Theatre, which focuses on group creation of original works, incorporating all elements of playmaking from writing, design and management to performance. Students planning to pursue graduate or teaching degrees are strongly encouraged to take the BA program.

Program highlights

History and current practice of Theatre and Performance in Canada

Gain active and detailed knowledge of the history and current practice of Theatre and Performance in Canada.

Playwriting and New Play Dramaturgy

Choose to specialize in Playwriting and New Play Dramaturgy, where you will learn to write and develop work for live performance; or Devised Theatre, which focuses on group creation of original works, incorporating all elements of playmaking from writing, design, and management to performance.

Interdisciplinary interests

Pursue interdisciplinary interests, combining Theatre with such other fields as Education, Psychology, Anthropology, English or Religious Studies.

Admission to Performance Creation

For students enrolled as Theatre majors going into second year

Deadlines

Letter of intent: April. Specific dates to be announced.
Program Change Request: May. Specific dates to be announced.

Admission Requirements Checklist for Performance Creation BA and BFA
For students enrolled as Theatre majors going into second year

Satisfactory 5.0 (C+) overall grade point average
✓ Successful completion of the following courses:
• THEA 1010 3.0 Introduction to Acting I
• THEA 1100 3.0 Introduction to Stagecraft I
• THEA 1200 6.0 Introduction to Theatre and Performance I
✓ In addition to the courses required of all Theatre majors, students undertaking a BFA in Performance Creation will be required to take two second year courses:
• THEA 2210 3.0: Theatre and Social Justice
• THEA 2110 6.0: Stagecraft II
These courses will ensure that students have the necessary technical and theoretical grounding to pursue a range of options in upper years.
✓ Students who proceed in the Performance Creation BFA are required to complete the online Program Change Request to switch from Honours BA to Honours BFA. Students who remain in the BA program do not need to submit a Program Change Request form.

Program Change

Students who proceed in the Performance Creation are required to complete the online Program Change Request to switch from Honours BA to Honours BFA. Deadline: May. Specific dates to be announced.




Specializations

Within both the BA and BFA in Performance Creation, students can choose to specialize in Playwriting and New Play Dramaturgy and/or Devised Theatre starting in second year. These specializations have specific admission requirements.





Theatre Students

OVERVIEW

Playwriting and New Play Dramaturgy offers a sequence of two practical workshops focusing on the development of the playwright and developmental dramaturg. Aspects of playwriting, such as action, dramatic structure, plot, dialogue, characterization, sub-text and thematic development are addressed, always through the lens of individual voice and style. The series of courses emphasizes the development process, as well as the creative product. These courses will work towards giving playwright participants an understanding of how they write, why they write and what they write about, and towards giving dramaturg participants an experiential understanding of how plays develop and how the dramaturg fulfills an integral role in that process. The goal of these courses is for each participant to develop, understand, and apply an individualized method and practice of play creation. Offers of placement in Playwriting and New Play Dramaturgy take place at the end of first year and are conditional, pending final grades at the end of the winter term.

Admissions

For students enrolled as Theatre majors going into second year

Deadlines
Portfolio: April. Specific dates to be announced.
Acceptance list post: April. Specific dates to be announced.
Reply to offers: May. Specific dates to be announced.
Program Change Request: May. Specific dates to be announced.

Admission Requirements Checklist for Playwriting and New Play Dramaturgy Courses:

✓ Satisfactory 5.0 (C+) overall grade point average
✓ Successful completion of the following courses:
• THEA 1010 3.0 Introduction to Acting I
• THEA 1100 3.0 Introduction to Stagecraft I
• THEA 1200 6.0 Introduction to Theatre and Performance I
Portfolio Evaluation

Note: Playwriting and New Play Dramaturgy is not a degree offered in the department. Students make completed it as a BA Performance Creation & Research or an Honours Specialized BFA in Performance Creation equally.

Theatre Students

OVERVIEW

Devised Theatre offers students an intensive curriculum in devising and performing original theatre pieces. This interdisciplinary series of courses is overseen and taught by faculty from all three areas of the department: Acting, Production and Performance Creation and Research (PCR). Students in the BA and BFA can take the series of courses. Offers of placement in Devised Theatre take place at the end of first year and are conditional, pending final grades at the end of the winter term.

Students in this Specialization can expect:

  • to deepen their historical and interdisciplinary understanding of devised theatre
  • to be exposed to a variety of methods for devising theatre in group contexts
  • to train to work in multiple areas of theatrical production
  • to build original works that are presented in the Devised Theatre Festival

Admissions

For students enrolled as Theatre majors going into second year

Deadlines
Callbacks posted online by: April. Specific dates to be announced.
Notice of Acceptances: April. Specific dates to be announced.
Confirmation of your acceptance: May. Specific dates to be announced.
Program Change Request: May. Specific dates to be announced.

Admission Requirements Checklist for Devised Theatre Courses:

✓ Satisfactory 5.0 (C+) overall grade point average
✓ Successful completion of the following courses:
• THEA 1010 3.0 Introduction to Acting I
• THEA 1100 3.0 Introduction to Stagecraft I
• THEA 1200 6.0 Introduction to Theatre and Performance I
Portfolio Evaluation

Note: Devised Theatre is not a degree offered in the department. Students make completed it as a BA Performance Creation & Research or an Honours Specialized BFA in Performance Creation equally.

Acceptance into THEA 2050, Introduction to Devised Theatre, does not guarantee entrance into further upper-level Devised Theatre classes. Admission into each subsequent Devised Theatre course is on the basis of a 6.0 (B) overall grade point average in the prerequisite class.

  • actor
  • arts administrator
  • community arts practitioner
  • designer
  • director
  • dramaturg
  • drama therapist
  • literary manager
  • play-maker
  • playwright
  • theatre critic
  • activist
  • scenographer
  • teacher
Theatre Students

OVERVIEW

This program engages students in all elements of theatrical design and stage production, combining hands-on technical skills with the creative, storytelling aspects of theatre in course work and studio settings.

Specialized courses in set, costume, lighting, media and sound design, complement studies in sustainability, technical direction and management. Graduates are thriving as designers, producers, technicians and theatre managers across Canada and around the globe.

Production and Design students participate in more than one specialization, allowing both intense study in a specific discipline and broader exposure to interconnected specializations.

Program highlights

Ability to combine a variety of specializations to suit individual interests and goals:

Theatre Design – set, lighting, costume, media
Construction – costume, scenery, props, lighting, sound and media
Management – production management, technical direction, stage management

Engage in all aspects of production and design for live performance, from front-of-house to sound design

Work hands-on with all aspects of design and production for shows presented by Theatre@York

Admission to Production and Design BFA

For students enrolled as Theatre majors going into second year

Deadlines

Letter of intent: April. Specific dates to be announced.
Program Change Request: May. Specific dates to be announced.

Admission Requirements Checklist for Production and Design BFA
Satisfactory 5.0 (C+) overall grade point average
✓ Successful completion of the following courses:
• THEA 1010 3.0 Introduction to Acting I
• THEA 1100 3.0 Introduction to Stagecraft I
• THEA 1200 6.0 Introduction to Theatre and Performance I
✓ Demonstrated potential for success in the Production and Design area, including the ability to collaborate well with others and participate fully in first-year classes and crews
✓ Letter of intent
✓ Portfolio and interview
✓ After being accepted into the specialization, students must fill out the Program Change Request form

Evaluation Process

1Write a letter of intent explaining why you wish to pursue studies in this area, stating which particular disciplines are of interest, and indicating previous relevant experience. Letters can be submitted to the Production and Design Area Coordinator Professor James McKernan, mckernan@yorku.ca.

2Interview – The Production & Design Area faculty are interested in a student’s ability in class, overall attitude, commitment to crew work, and aptitude for production work.

3Bring to the interview a portfolio (minimum two examples of work, preferably recent) that demonstrates visual and artistic dexterity and/or organizational ability.

4Acceptance will be based on the letter of intent, interview, portfolio and the student’s academic record.

Program Change

Students who proceed in Production and Design are required to complete the online Change of Degree request to switch from Honours BA to Honours BFA.

Deadline: May. Specific dates to be announced.




  • technical director
  • production designer
  • producer
  • production manager
  • stage manager
  • assistant stage manager
  • set designer
  • set builder/carpenter
  • scene shop manager
  • scenic artist
  • set painter
  • set dresser for film and television
  • props coordinator
  • props builder
  • prop buyer
  • lighting designer
  • lighting director
  • lighting technician
  • show control specialist
  • costume designer
  • costume cutter
  • costume construction
  • costume first hand
  • wardrobe coordinator
  • wardrobe shop manager
  • wardrobe buyer
  • wardrobe/costume dyer
  • wardrobe/costume breakdown
  • fashion designer
  • sound designer
  • sound technician
  • events manager/coordinator
  • theatre consultant
  • front of house manager
  • theatre manager
  • drama teacher
  • theme environment designer/imagineer
  • exhibition designer
  • character designer for video game industry
  • architecture consultant
  • project manager

*Many opportunities for Production and Design graduates exist across the fields of theatre, film and television, and increasingly media and technology.

Theatre Students

OVERVIEW (New for 2023-24)

The Acting & Performance Programs offer students either a focused or flexible approach to rigorous training by integrating training in Devised Theatre and Acting for stage and screen, either through the BFA in Acting & Performance, or the BFA in Performance Creation. Students study acting, devising, voice, and movement over the three final years of the degree, acquiring knowledge and a range of high-level skills that are then applied in performance projects. Acting & Performance takes students deep into scene study, script analysis and character development, as well as offering opportunities to explore creation methods to devise work collaboratively. The programs allow students the chance to map out their own route through the program, with flexible options for studio courses in third and fourth year. Upper year students do a capstone performance project in Theatre@York’s mainstage season, which features classic masterpieces and contemporary plays from Canada and around the world, or as part of the Devised Theatre Festival, created in collaboration with students in the Devised Theatre specialization.

Program highlights

Become immersed in the Theatre program from day one

Immersion in all facets of performance

Physical, emotional and vocal improvisation, contemporary and classical text, period style and on-camera technique.

Engage with award-winning faculty

Learn with faculty whose work has been presented on stages, in festivals and in publications around the world, and who bring leading-edge practice and theory together in the classroom.

Perform and create in state-of-the-art facilities

From backstage to on stage, AMPD’s facilities are considered among the best in the world.

Admission to ACTING & PEFORMANCE PROGRAMS

For students enrolled as Theatre majors going into second year

Deadlines

Sign-up for an audition: Mid-March. Specific dates TBD
Acting & Performance audition video submissions: April. Specific dates TBD
Performance Workshop: April. Specific dates TBD
Notice of Acceptances: April. Specific dates TBD
Confirmation of Your Acceptance: May. Specific dates TBD
Program Change Request: May. Specific dates TBD

Admission Requirements Checklist for Acting Conservatory BFA

Satisfactory 5.0 (C+) overall grade point average
Successfully complete the following courses:
• THEA 1010 3.0 Introduction to Acting 1
• THEA 1011 3.0 Introduction to Acting 2
• THEA 1100 3.0 Introduction to Stagecraft 1
• THEA 1200 6.0 Introduction to Theatre and Performance

Students who successfully audition but do not successfully complete THEA 1200 6.0 will not be accepted into the Acting area.

✓ Audition
✓ After being accepted into the specialization, students must fill out the Program Change Request form.

Admission into each subsequent year of Acting & Performance Programs is based on getting a B or above in the prerequisite classes.

Auditions

GOODLUCK!

For instructions on how to apply for Acting & Performance, see the Next Steps process, which outlines how to apply to all programs with entry at the end of the 1st year.

Program Change

Students who proceed in the Acting Conservatory are required to complete the online Program Change Request to switch from Honours BA to Honours BFA. Deadline: May. Specific dates to be announced.




Graduation Requirements

ACTING CONSERVATORY: YEAR 2 TO 4

1Maintain a grade of B or higher in each course of Voice, Movement and Acting in order to be allowed to advance to the next term.

2Students are reassessed at the end of each term. Assessment is based on academic evaluation and progress in class work.

3Complete at least 81 credits in Theatre

  • actor
  • director
  • casting agent
  • voice coach
  • acting coach
  • voice coach
  • drama teacher
  • broadcaster
  • art/movement therapist

THE STARS OF THE THEATRE AT YORK PROGRAM

Notable Alumni

Weyni Mengesha started her career directing 'da Kink in my Hair', helping build it into an international sensation; and composing its Dora-nominated score. The show went on to make history, selling out some of the largest houses in the country and becoming a national television show. In 2018, Mengesha was appointed the Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company in Toronto.

Weyni Mengesha Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre
Theatre BFA 2005

Tanya Palmer is the Producer and Director of New Play Development at Goodman Theatre in Chicago. She coordinates the New Stages Festival every year. She has served as dramaturg on many Goodman productions, including Vigils, The Long Red Road, and Ruined. She has also served as the Director of New Play Development at Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Tanya Palmer Producer and Director of New Play Development at Goodman Theatre
Theatre MFA 2000

James Roy founded the Blyth Festival in 1975. It is one of the most successful Canadian theatre festivals. For a short period of time he was the Artistic Director the Belfry Theatre and the Manitoba Theatre Centre. He joined CBC Radio in 1990 and stayed in radio for over 20 years. He was the lead of the team that launched Radio One. He is now the president of Amazing Agency.

James Roy Founding Artistic Director of the Blyth Festival
Theatre BA 1974

Jillian Keiley is an award-winning theatre director, winning the Siminovitch Prize for Directing in 2004 and the Canada Council’s John Hirsch Prize in 1997. She founded Artistic Fraud in 1995 and became the Artistic Director of National Arts Centre English Theatre in 2012. Some of her productions have included A Christmas Carol, Twelfth Night, and Tartuffe. She frequently directs for the Stratford Festival.

Jillian Keiley Artistic Director of English Theatre at the National Arts Centre
Theatre BFA 1994

Elizabeth Bradley has had a long expansive career across North America. She was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Gold Medal for her contributions to the arts in Canada. She headed the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University before she was recruited in 2008 to serve as the Chair of the Department of Drama at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Elizabeth Bradley Former Head of Theatre at Carnegie Mellon and now Head of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU
Theatre BFA 1976

Anusree Roy is a Dora award-winning playwright and performer. Her first piece, entitled 'breathlessness' premiered in 2006. Her play Pyassa premiered in 2007 and won two Dora Awards for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Performance. She has written many plays since and won many awards, including another Dora award for Outstanding New Play in 2011 with her play Brothel #9. She continues to write and perform today.

Anusree Roy Playwright and performer
Theatre BA 2006

Richard Rose is the current Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre. Before joining the Tarragon in 2002, Richard was Founding Artistic Director at Necessary Angel from 1978 to 2002, Associate Director for Canadian Stage Company, and Director of the Stratford Festival Young Company. He has directed plays across Canada and the United States, earning him four Dora Awards and numerous other nominations.

Richard Rose Artistic Director of the Tarragon Theatre and founding artistic director of Necessary Angel Theatre Co.
Theatre BFA 1978

Luke Reece is a theatre producer, playwright, spoken word poet and arts educator. He is the Producer for Obsidian Theatre, and a Member of the Toronto Poetry Project. Reece is one of Toronto’s most decorated slam poets, becoming the Toronto Poetry Slam (TPS) Grand Champion in 2017, winning the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word as the captain of the TPS team and then again in 2018 as the team coach.

Luke Reece Canadian Slam Poetry Champion; Producer, Obsidian Theatre Company; Co-founder & Director Little Black Afro and Dark Nights
Theatre BA '15

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Have Questions?

WE HAVE ANSWERS

Would you like help evaluating your degree progress report? The Office of Advising and Integrated Student Services (OAISS) is your destination for undergraduate advising with personalized guidance around your degree requirements as well as resources, workshops and information to support you throughout your degree. To book an advising or petition advising appointment, please visit OAISS at 322 CFA or call (416) 736-5135 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Please make sure you speak directly with the receptionist to book your appointment. OAISS is unable to book appointment requests left in voicemail.
All Theatre students start as Specialized Honours BA Theatre-Theatre Studies students, and do a General First Year that introduces them to all aspects of Theatre, including Acting, Production/Design, and Performance Creation & Research. At the end of first year, students choose their path in our Next Steps process in order to enter Performance Creation & Research, Devised Theatre, Playwriting & New Play Dramaturgy, Production/Design, and Acting Conservatory. For more information visit https://theatre.ampd.yorku.ca/programs/
Theatre applicants are admitted based on GPA.  To check the requirements, please visit theatre.ampd.yorku.ca/apply