Program

Theatre (Diploma)

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Theatre
Credits
60.00
Length of program
Four semesters
Credential type
Diploma
Campus
New Westminster
Learning format
Full-time
Admission type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall

Overview

If you’ve always loved acting and can’t see yourself doing anything else, the two-year Theatre program at Douglas can get you started. In year one, you’ll take classes in speech, movement, acting, production and theatre history. You’ll also gain valuable experience working on four major plays put on by second-year students working in the box office, being a production assistant, setting up the opening night reception, as well as doing publicity and promotion.

Act in major productions

In year two, you’ll get on-stage acting experience working with professional directors, set designers and lighting specialists from the arts community, as well as students in the Stagecraft and Event Technology program. You’ll act in one major production each semester, applying the theory you learned in year one.

Theatre facilities

Our facilities, among the most modern in the province, provide an excellent teaching and learning environment. You’ll perform in the 350-seat Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre as well as a studio theatre, and will learn in other spaces such as the dance studio and theatre shop.

Continue your education

Graduates often transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree at universities both in Canada and abroad, such as UBC, SFU, University of Alberta, Circle in the Square (New York), Neighborhood Playhouse (New York), University of Wales (UK) and more.

Job opportunities

Over 1,200 actor and comedian job openings as well as over 2,600 producer, director and choreographer job openings are expected in B.C. for the next ten years.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

  • General College Admission Requirements
  • An Audition is required as part of the selection process. Your audition will be evaluated and will be included in the ranking towards the preferential admission process

 

Cost

Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more. 

For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts

Program Requirements

Curriculum framework

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of 60 credits
  • 25% (15 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:

  • Successful completion of 60 credits
  • 50% (30 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • Graduate in Good Academic Standing (Cumulative GPA of 1.50 – See Academic Performance Policy)
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years

** A university transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the 5 Research Universities - SFU, UBC, UBCO, UNBC or UVIC – according to the BC Transfer Guide. 

Course Requirements: 

Course Number Course Title Credits

Semester I 

THEA 1110

Acting for the Stage I

3.00

THEA 1111

Speech for the Stage

3.00

THEA 1130

History of Theatre I

3.00

THEA 1171

Creative Movement for the Stage

3.00

THEA 1180

Play Production I

3.00

Semester I Total Credits

15.00

Semester II 

THEA 1210

Acting for the Stage II

3.00

THEA 1211

Advanced Speech for the Stage

3.00

THEA 1230

History of Theatre II

3.00

THEA 1271

Advanced Problems in Stage Movement

3.00

THEA 1280

Play Production II

3.00

Semester II Total Credits

15.00

Semester III 

THEA 2310

Advanced Acting

3.00

THEA 2311

Voice and Movement on Stage I

3.00

THEA 2380

Play Production III

6.00

Select one course from the following three options:

CMNS

Select one university transferable ** CMNS course

3.00

CRWR

Select one university transferable ** CRWR course

3.00

ENGL

Select one university transferable ** ENGL course

3.00

Semester III Total Credits

15.00

Semester IV 

THEA 2410

Acting for Film

3.00

THEA 2411

Voice and Movement on Stage II

3.00

THEA 2480

Play Production IV

6.00

Elective (UT)

Any university transferable ** course approved by Coordinator

Note: Electives should be appropriate to the Theatre Program and should be selected in consultation with the Department Coordinator.

3.00

Semester IV Total Credits

15.00

Total Program Credits

 

60.00

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Testimonials

Jaskson Student Quote

Setting the stage

Theatre student Jackson Boudreau discovers passion for bringing characters to life.

More Information

Tuition deposit

When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.

Career Pathways

Career opportunities include:

  • Actor
  • Arts Administrator 
  • Box Office Manager 
  • Broadcast Technician 
  • Broadcaster 
  • Business Manager 
  • Carpenter/Scenic Artist 
  • Casting Agent 
  • Comedian 
  • Event Planner 
  • Film/TV Crew
  • Playwright
  • Producer