Careers with a theatre degree
Studying performance means exploring how bodies, stories and spaces interact to spark imagination and challenge the world around us. You’ll develop your creative voice, experiment across disciplines, and collaborate as a performer, designer, director, dramaturg, writer or artist beyond traditional boundaries.
What can I do with my degree? Theatre prepares you for dynamic careers in the arts, education, community engagement, cultural innovation and beyond.
Skills you'll develop
Your degree builds more than academic knowledge, it shapes the way you think, communicate and collaborate. Throughout your studies, you'll develop key skills for your career, such as:
Functional knowledge:
Use professional tools, technologies and creative processes to rehearse, design and produce live performance.
Communication:
Express ideas clearly through voice, movement, writing and visual storytelling.
Management and organization:
Coordinate rehearsals, schedules, budgets and production workflows.
Teamwork:
Collaborate with performers, directors, designers, dramaturgs, technicians and community partners to bring a performance to life.
Critical thinking and problem solving:
Find creative solutions to staging, design constraints or performance choices.
As a Concordia student, you will develop valuable skills to bring to any career opportunity.
Beyond the classroom: Build your career path
Getting involved outside of the classroom can help you discover your interests, develop new skills and build a network of peers and professionals in your field.
First year
- Get support organizing your busy schedule at the Time Management Clinic.
- Join the Concordia Association of Students in Theatre or explore other student groups and initiatives that interest you.
- Get inspired by attending the department’s public performances and seeing student talent in action.
- Create, practice and perform in the department’s state-of-the-art studios and venues.
- Improve your language fluency in French or English through conversation practice.
- Browse the CAPS online job bank for opportunities to gain work experience.
Middle years
- Connect with Career Counselling & Education Transitions to plan your career path.
- Enrich your global perspective by studying abroad for an academic term or apply for a field school program.
- Take part in Art Matters, the largest student-run festival in North America.
- Volunteer with an organization for a cause you care about.
- Get paid work experience and tackle real-world challenges with District 3’s 12-week summer residency program.
- Help make campus greener at Concordia.
Final year
- Join the community-based internship program to drive meaningful change while building professional skills.
- Prepare to showcase your portfolio or pitch your independent practice with storytelling and entrepreneurship bootcamps from FutureBound.
- Explore leadership opportunities in Concordia Association of Students in Theatre.
- Network with potential employers at recruitment events and career fairs.
Specialize your studies
Minors & elective groups
You can customize your degree by adding a minor or elective group. Popular choices with this program include:
Graduate studies and certifications
Graduate studies can help you specialize in a subject you love, engage in meaningful research or open doors to new career paths. Certifications are a great way to build new skills that complement your degree.
Talk to your professors or a career counsellor at the Student Success Centre to find programs that fit your goals.
Start exploring:
- Universitystudy.ca: A data base of graduate programs in Canada
- Concordia’s School of Graduate Studies: Graduate programs offered at Concordia
- Graduate funding and awards: Scholarships and awards, research and teaching assistantships, and other financial supports for Concordia graduate students
- Concordia Continuing Education: Courses, workshops and programs to advance your career
Career exploration resources
Professional associations
Access professional associations to explore opportunities and expand your network.
- ACTRA – Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists
- Canada Council for the Arts
- Professional Association of Canadian Theatres
- Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
- Canadian Association for Theatre Research
- Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology
- Conseil québécois du théâtre
- Variety
- Playwrights Guild of Canada
Job banks
Career counselling & advising
Want tailored career advice? Book an appointment with one of our career counsellors or career advisors.
Start your job search
Career Advising and Professional Success (CAPS) can help you find opportunities and support you with networking, applications and interviews.
