Theatre and Development

Fall admission only

The Specialization in Theatre and Development (TDEV) focuses on the history, theory, and practice of drama and theatre from the perspective of art's capacity to inform and effect social change. Specific applications such as developmental drama, drama in education, and drama therapy are examined for their educational, therapeutic, and rehabilitative efficacy. On a broader social level, the program is concerned with points of intersection between traditional theatre and popular forms such as: collective and collaborative approaches to play-building; theatrical events specifically created by, for, and about particular communities or populations; and political or educational theatre which is either overtly interventionist or educational in intent.

The program is vitally concerned with developing group skills and leadership, and preparing students to assume entrepreneurial roles within the Canadian theatre milieu. Students have access to a wide range of practical classes in areas such as acting, design, playwriting, production and administration. In the upper levels, tdev supports fieldwork in areas of personal specialization such as working in schools, working with populations with special needs, developing large-scale community arts projects, and apprenticeships with community-based theatre companies.

Specialization in Theatre and Development — 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:

The Artist in Community, The Audience and the Performance Event, Theatre with Diverse Populations, Storytelling: Oral Histories and Identities, Popular Theatre: Theory and Practice, Theatre with Young People, Special Projects in Theatre and Development

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

Theatre and Development (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.