Theatre (Diploma)
DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS
Fall 2025: Apply Now!
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Please visit the International Application Deadline page to find out when applications may be available.
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
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 |
||
Acting for the Stage I |
3.00 |
|
Speech for the Stage |
3.00 |
|
History of Theatre I |
3.00 |
|
Creative Movement for the Stage |
3.00 |
|
Play Production I |
3.00 |
|
Semester I Total Credits |
15.00 |
|
Semester II |
||
Acting for the Stage II |
3.00 |
|
Advanced Speech for the Stage |
3.00 |
|
History of Theatre II |
3.00 |
|
Advanced Problems in Stage Movement |
3.00 |
|
Play Production II |
3.00 |
|
Semester II Total Credits |
15.00 |
|
Semester III |
||
Advanced Acting |
3.00 |
|
Voice and Movement on Stage I |
3.00 |
|
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 |
||
Acting for Film |
3.00 |
|
Voice and Movement on Stage II |
3.00 |
|
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
Setting the stage
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