Program overview
Admission Requirements
Intakes

Last updated on 2025-11-18

Program overview

Program overview

Earn your degree in Theatre and Performance from one of Canada's most creative drama programs. This program allows you to explore various careers through paid co-op work terms, providing you with practical experience in the field. You'll learn to wow your audience while collaborating with professors, visiting artists, and fellow students to create high-quality work that contributes to a just society. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, from performance to management, design to critical studies, and creation to technology. By the time you graduate, you will have developed a rich portfolio and a diverse set of skills that will serve you well in various roles, both on stage and off.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Arts - Honours Arts - Theatre and Performance program is designed to provide a comprehensive education in the field. The program length is typically four years, and it offers both co-op and regular study options. Here are some key features of the program structure:

  • Co-op Program: Yes, students can participate in paid co-op work terms.
  • Regular Program: Yes, students can also choose to study without the co-op option.
  • Minors: Students have the option to pursue a minor alongside their major.
  • Student-led Productions: Students actively participate in productions, gaining hands-on experience in various roles such as set design, costume creation, lighting, sound, producing, directing, and acting.

Throughout the program, students will engage in a mix of theoretical and practical coursework, ensuring a well-rounded education in theatre and performance.

Featured Experiences

The Theatre and Performance program at Waterloo offers a variety of unique experiences that enhance learning and professional development:

  • Co-op Opportunities: Students alternate between academic study and paid work terms, allowing them to gain relevant experience in the industry.
  • Mentorship: Students work with award-winning professors and visiting artists, providing valuable insights and guidance in their artistic endeavors.
  • Student-led Productions: Each term, students play an active role in productions, contributing to all aspects of theatre-making.
  • Collaborative Learning: Students collaborate with peers and faculty to create new works and explore innovative approaches to classic texts.
  • Real-world Experience: The program integrates classroom learning with practical experience, preparing students for various career paths in the arts.

Career Options

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts - Honours Arts - Theatre and Performance program have a wide range of career options available to them in Canada. Here are some potential job roles:

  • Stage Manager: Responsible for overseeing all aspects of a theatrical production, ensuring that everything runs smoothly during performances.
  • Production Manager: Manages the logistics of a production, coordinating between different departments to ensure timely execution of projects.
  • Senior Officer, Friends' Corps: Works with organizations like the National Ballet of Canada to manage community engagement and fundraising efforts.
  • Production Assistant: Provides support to the production team, assisting with various tasks during rehearsals and performances.
  • Assistant Lighting Director: Works under the lighting director to design and implement lighting for theatrical productions, enhancing the visual storytelling.

These roles highlight the diverse opportunities available to graduates, allowing them to pursue fulfilling careers in the arts and entertainment industry.

 

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

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