How to apply
Accepting applications for Fall 2023
Admissions process overview
Step 1: Complete Concordia's admissions application
Step 2: Write your letter of intent
Step 3: Curate your portfolio and/or prepare your audition video
Step 4: Submit your materials
Step 1: Complete Concordia's admissions application
All new applicants must complete Concordia University's online admissions application before submitting a portfolio or video audition.
If you are already a student at Concordia please review the following instructions:
Other faculties
Concordia students currently enrolled in another faculty (Arts and Science, Gina Cody School, or JMSB) choose one of the following, according to your situation:
- Apply for a Degree Transfer
- Add a Double Major
- Add a Minor
You must submit this first in order to be allowed to sign up for an audition and/or interview. The deadline to submit this request is March 1, 2023.
Concordia students enrolled in the Faculty of Fine Arts
Once the form is complete, it can be attached to the pre-audition questionnaire.
Step 2: Write your letter of intent
A letter of intent helps those considering your application to learn more about who you are as an artist and a student, and to see how you express yourself in writing.
In your letter, you should touch upon the following subjects:
- Why do you want to study theatre in general, and the Specialization program(s) you’re applying to in particular?
- Who are you? What intelligences, creative abilities, passions, fascinations, talents and/or cultural connections would you like us to know about you?
- What are your goals?
- What are some of your most meaningful theatre/performance experiences so far (as a spectator, participant, and/or an artist)?
- What else inspires you?
One to two pages should be enough for you to write succinctly about all the topics.
In addition, please answer the following briefly, in bullet point form:
- Past experience or training as a performer, creator and/or designer?
- Any other experiences that you feel are relevant? We consider a wide range of backgrounds as valuable as a background in theatre (e.g. engineering, architecture, communication studies, film production, fine arts, literature, circus arts, journalism, activism etc.)
- Do you play an instrument, sing, write creatively, or practice any other art form, or any traditional or cultural tradition that may be relevant?
- Do you dance, play any sports, or practice any other physical/movement disciplines?
- What languages do you speak, if any other than English?
- What’s the last book you read and enjoyed?
- What theatre-related books have made an impression on you, if any?
- Are you willing and able to attend an in-person interview in Montreal either on March 25th or 26th?
Please save your letter as a word doc or PDF. You will be able to upload it when you submit your materials.
Step 3: Curate your portfolio and/or prepare your audition video
Select your program of interest for details regarding the audition, portfolio, or other supporting materials.
Record a video as follows:
- A one-minute (maximum) introduction of yourself, speaking about who you are as an actor/artist and why you’re interested in coming to the Acting for the Theatre program at Concordia.
- Include your full name and where you currently reside.
- A monologue of your choosing, selected from our list. Your performance should be recorded in a single, continuous take (no edits), with your whole body visible at all times.
- A one-minute (maximum) character-based physical performance or movement piece, using very few words (if any). The piece should include a clear beginning, middle and end, and should tell a simple story in a theatrical way. Your piece can involve mime, dance-theatre, acrobatics clown, stage combat, or any other physical performance style. You can use costumes, props, music, or other performers if you wish. Just make sure the main focus is on telling a story – about a character in a situation taking actions in response to events – with your body. Again, this should be recorded in a single, continuous take.
Upload your video to YouTube, and post it with an “unlisted” setting. Please note that a URL for a public, "listed" video will not function. You are strongly encouraged to submit your video and other application materials by February 1, though we will continue to accept applications until March 1.
Submit your materials. You will be able to upload your letter of intent, and paste the URL of your video in that form.
Selected applicants will be invited to a group callback in Montreal on March 25th or 26th. Group callbacks for the ACTT Program are live, in-person in Montreal, and there’s an online option as well.
If possible for you, we encourage you to attend in-person. We believe that being in the room with the instructors who'll be your teachers, in the studios where you'll train, is the best way for you to see whether this program is right for you. That said, if you live far from Montreal and travel isn't feasible for you, we're happy to see you for an online callback via the Zoom app (using a link that will be sent to you closer to the date).
Please arrive 30 minutes before your in-person appointment, or 10 minutes before your online appointment.
If you have any questions about the Program or about the audition/callback process, please contact the coordinator of Acting for the Theatre at theatre@concordia.ca.
Compose and record an original performance piece. You will share it as a video using the submission form.
Your original performance piece may draw inspiration from source material and/ or a topic that resonates with you and reveals something about your imagination and creativity.
· It must be 3 minutes long, and include at least three of the following ingredients:
o water
o 30 seconds of chaos
o 15 seconds of absolute stillness
o two contrasting music choices
o a gift
o a photograph
o a garment
o unexpected light
o garbage
o jazz
o Twitter
o a revelation
Short excerpts of poetry, text, and/or music from external sources are encouraged, as well as original material created by you.
· Upload your video to YouTube, and post it with an “unlisted” setting. Please note that a URL for a public "listed" video will not function. You will be able to add the URL in Step 4.
· Applicants are encouraged to submit additional materials that demonstrate a creative practice in the form of an e-portfolio. e.g. work with music or sound, design, visual arts, etc. Writing material such as a play or critical essay is also accepted with a 10 page maximum in excerpt form.
Submit your materials.
You will be able to upload your letter of intent and supporting materials, as well as paste the URL of your video on that form.
As part of the application process to the Specialization in Performance Creation (PERC) you are invited to participate in-person (live in Montreal) and/ or remotely for the group workshops and interview on March 25th or 26th. For in-person workshops please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment. Should you be unable to attend in-person, we'll meet via the Zoom app, using a link that will be sent to you closer to the date.
Please indicate in your application whether you intend to participate in the PERC workshops/interviews in person or remotely via the Zoom app. If you live outside of the Montreal area and intend to participate in the workshop/interview in-person, we recommend making tentative (refundable) travel plans as soon as you've completed your application. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact the coordinator of the Performance Creation Program at theatre@concordia.ca.
Curate your portfolio. Please upload images of your creative work, including:
- drawings
- paintings
- sculptures
- photographs
- videos
- clothing you have designed or made
- or any other relevant work
- Submit your materials to the online form, and select an appointment for a virtual or in-person portfolio group review session (March 25th or 26th).
If you have any questions regarding the Program, please contact the coordinator of the Scenography Program at theatre@concordia.ca.
Step 4: Submit your materials
Fill out the Theatre Admission Questionnaire to submit your letter of intent, photo, and supporting materials.