Design for the Theatre

Fall admission only

The Specialization in Design for the Theatre invites students to become actively involved in the complex process of conceiving, communicating and realizing the visual framework for theatrical works. Emphasis is placed on design as a highly creative discipline which, though comprised of a number of specialties – lighting, costumes and set design – makes its greatest expressive contribution to theatre when a designer has a firm grasp of the potential of each constituent part, together with an understanding of the many other aspects of production.

Students progress from exploring the nature of the design process, to the co-operative nature of theatre work, to developing refined insights and skills involved in the imaginative and technical aspects of the various streams of theatre design through group projects and individual portfolio development. Senior students work on advanced individual projects, which provide them with a rich understanding of the role designers play in contemporary theatre.

Specialization in Design for the Theatre — 60 credits

See Program-Specific Admission Requirements – In addition to the general admission requirements, this program have extra program-specific requirements. These additional requirements must be arranged with the departments to which you are applying.

See the BFA degree description for more information on general degree requirements. For a complete list of courses: Undergraduate Calendar

Sample courses include:

Lighting Design, Costume Design, Set Design, Scene Painting, Stage Properties

Facilities

The Department boasts well-equipped facilities on both campuses. New acting studios and design classrooms (including a lighting lab) are located downtown near the D.B. Clarke Theatre, a traditional 380-seat proscenium theatre. Students have access to costume, prop and scene shops and other production spaces. Departmental productions are regularly performed on the Loyola campus in the Cazalet, a black-box theatre with flexible seating, and in the intimate F.C. Smith Auditorium. All students having the necessary prerequisites are eligible to participate in student-initiated or department productions.

Theatre Department

Theatre programs are designed to inspire and prepare students to enter Canada’s rapidly evolving performing arts culture. We value creativity, imagination and critical thinking, and support an entrepreneurial approach capable of meeting the demographic, technological, multicultural, funding and related challenges and opportunities of the years to come.

Students explore a wide range of past and present approaches to theatre combining traditional and innovative research through courses and creative projects that encourage the development of basic skills in acting, creative and theoretical research, production, design, playwriting, theatre for social change, and broad-based arts literacy courses for the wider university community.

Instructors are active at scholarly conferences, in professional theatre, publishing, innovative research and cutting-edge approaches to teaching and pedagogy. The Department fosters close links between teaching, research and creative activity to provide students with opportunities to explore their potential, and to intern and train with faculty members and artists.

Graduates are grounded in basic theatre skills and knowledge, and demonstrate enhanced research and problem-solving skills. They are well prepared for future training, competitive for entry to graduate schools and are sought out as interns and assistants by established theatre practitioners.

Admission Requirements

Design for the Theatre (BFA - Specialization) requirements: Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.

Undergraduate admissions guidelines: For information on international admission, required documents, proof of language proficiency, the university admissions timetable, selection and notification process.