Theatre Arts – Performance Program (P104)
Program Description
Program Overview
Ranked as Canada’s Top 20 Acting Schools, the Theatre Arts – Performance program offers you vigorously concentrated, career-oriented training in the fundamental skills, practicalities, traditions and professionalism needed to work as a professional actor in theatre, television and film.
Students can explore the artistic and technical facets through practical and hands-on training at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto’s Distillery District. Learn more about the Theatre Learning Environment and on-stage productions.
Disclaimer: This program has expectations of professionalism, group work, intimacy between actors, whispering, consensual touching, combat training, expressions of physicality, deep exploration of self, personal psychological examination, conflict, and successful failure. This program is meant to train a student to be a professional actor which includes all of these aspects listed here.
Full Description
The Theatre Arts – Performance program at George Brown's School of Media and Performing Arts offers you vigorously concentrated, career-oriented training in the fundamental skills, practicalities, traditions and professionalism needed to work as a professional actor in theatre, television and film.
The conservatory, hands-on training is an integrated curriculum in which almost all subjects are related directly to the acting profession. Five skill courses form the core of our classical approach to training the actor: voice, speech, movement, music and dance. The acting curriculum features improvisation, contact improvisation, storytelling, poetry, text analysis, contemporary and classical scene studies, neutral mask, character mask, clowning, commedia dell’arte, television and film technique, and audition preparation. Further classes include: stage combat, dialectology, theatre history, the business of acting and 00.
Besides great partnerships with Soulpepper Theatre Company, Tarragon Theatre and Theatre by the Bay, George Brown has run a successful mentorship program for a number of years. In the final year, students will be paired with a successful theatre practitioner. This partnership starts in the students’ final semester and continues for roughly a year-long period. Mentors will meet with the student for a minimum three times as the student graduates and begins to transition into the field. This program has been not only a success for the students, but mentors have also expressed how great the experience has been and how rewarding it is to be there for the students as they graduate.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
For information on future study options, see Transfer Guide.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
Code | Course Name | Pre-requisite |
---|---|---|
THEA 1001 | Acting I | NONE |
THEA 1003 | Dance I | NONE |
THEA 1004 | Movement I | NONE |
THEA 1005 | Vocal Music I | NONE |
THEA 1006 | Voice I | NONE |
THEA 1008 | Speech I | NONE |
THEA 1013 | Group Improvisation | NONE |
THEA 1015 | Contact Improvisation | NONE |
THEA 1028 | Acting I – Test Piece | NONE |
THEA 1029 | Storytelling | NONE |
THEA1037 | Theatre History I | NONE |
COMM 2000 | Communicating Across Contexts** | NONE |
GNED | General Education Elective | NONE |
SEMESTER 2
Code | Course Name | Pre-requisite |
---|---|---|
THEA 1002 | Acting II | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 1010 | Dance II | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 1017 | Movement II | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 1016 | Voice II | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 1009 | Vocal Music II | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 1012 | Stage Combat I | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 1014 | Workshop Performance I – Act Shakespeare | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 1031 | Shakespeare Bath | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 2022 | Theatre History II | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 1032 | Neutral Mask | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
THEA 1018 | Speech II | Successful completion of all semester one courses. |
GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 3
Code | Course Name | Pre-requisite |
---|---|---|
THEA 2001 | Acting III | Successful completion of all semester two courses. |
THEA 2041 | Acting III Workshop | Successful completion of all semester two courses. |
THEA 2004 | Dance III | Successful completion of all semester two courses. |
THEA 2016 | Movement III | Successful completion of all semester two courses. |
THEA 2002 | Voice III | Successful completion of all semester two courses. |
THEA 2009 | Vocal Music III | Successful completion of all semester two courses. |
THEA 2023 | Theatre History III | Successful completion of all semester two courses. |
THEA 2014 | Speech III | Successful completion of all semester two courses. |
THEA 2013 | Children’s Play Performance | Successful completion of all semester two courses. |
GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 4
Code | Course Name | Pre-requisite |
---|---|---|
THEA 2007 | Acting IV | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
THEA 2008 | Dance IV | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
THEA 2021 | Movement IV | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
THEA 2017 | Voice IV | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
THEA 2019 | Vocal Music IV | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
THEA 1033 | Canadian Play Study | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
THEA 2011 | Stage Combat II | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
THEA 2018 | Speech IV | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
THEA 2020 | Workshop Performance II | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
THEA 2045 | Character Mask | Successful completion of all semester three courses. |
SEMESTER 5
Code | Course Name | Pre-requisite |
---|---|---|
THEA 3021 | Film Acting I | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3000 | Season Prep | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3001 | Acting V – TEST PIECE | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3016 | Showcase Performance I | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3022 | Playwriting I | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3004 | Movement V | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 2024 | Business of Acting I | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3006 | Vocal Music V | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3014 | Introduction to Alexander Technique | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3017 | Monologue Study | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3018 | The Artist as Producer | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
THEA 3019 | Auditioning I | Successful completion of all semester four courses. |
SEMESTER 6
Code | Course Name | Pre-requisite |
---|---|---|
THEA 2025 | Business of Acting II | Successful completion of all semester five courses. |
THEA 3021 | Film Acting II | Successful completion of all semester five courses. |
THEA 3010 | Showcase Performance II | Successful completion of all semester five courses. |
THEA 3013 | Movement VI | Successful completion of all semester five courses. |
THEA 3032 | Playwriting II | Successful completion of all semester five courses. |
THEA 3015 | Introduction to Alexander Technique II | Successful completion of all semester five courses. |
THEA 3020 | Auditioning II | Successful completion of all semester five courses. |
**Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1000 (Introduction to College Communication) before progressing to COMM 2000. COMM 1000 does not count as a course required for graduation, and you will be charged for this extra course. Please visit Assessment Centre for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Perform in a variety of theatrical contexts by applying acting, movement and voice techniques as required.
- Develop and present strategies for personal, career and professional development within the performing arts industry.
- Apply and analyze theatre traditions and current trends from a variety of historical and cultural contexts to enhance personal creativity and theatrical performance.
- Investigate and articulate personal reasons for pursuing creative work in the theatre.
- Complete all work in compliance with industry standards and policies and professional ethics.
- Use entrepreneurial and project-planning skills to develop production and administrative aspects of professional theatre.
- Perform vocal material – solo and choral – and execute staging and choreography as required by a theatrical performance.
- Create and devise original works of theatre individually and collectively to perform in front of an audience.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2023 and at later dates.
** Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 and at later dates.
‡ There will be a $50 audition fee (payable in cash or money order only) when you arrive on the day of your audition for P101, P102 or P103, and P104.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
- applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- grade 12 English (C or U)
- interview
- audition – entrance into this program is based on an in-person audition and/or interview*
*All applicants who meet the academic requirements will receive an audition appointment. Auditions take place in April and May for September start date. There is no January (winter) start date. Please see below or visit the Theatre Arts Auditions page for information about audition requirements.
STUDENT SELECTION
Enrolment is limited, ensuring adequate personal attention is given to each student. Admission is competitive, based on the results of auditions and personal interviews conducted by faculty members. A minimum academic standing plus passing grades in acting must be achieved in order to be promoted to the next semester.
** Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit the Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are to present two contrasting monologues and one song. Both the monologues and the song must be memorized.
Monologues
- Two contrasting monologues: one chosen from the classical repertoire (i.e., 1575–1700), the other contemporary (i.e., after 1900).
- The monologues MUST be from published plays (stories, poetry, movies, TV or self-written material are not acceptable).
- Monologues must not exceed one and a half minutes each.
- The monologues should be of a contrasting nature to show two different sides of your personality.
Song
- The song can be from any repertoire.
- You will be singing without accompaniment.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Media and Performing Arts
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2167
Email: performingarts@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit Our Campus
The Theatre Arts – Performance program is located at the Young Centre for Performing Arts in Toronto's Distillery District. The Young Centre is run in partnership with the Soulpepper Theatre Company.
Campus tours are offered on a regular basis. Sign up today! You can also check out our virtual tour.