- Film and TV set designer
- Costume, set, sound, lighting designers for professional theatre companies across Canada such as Bard on the Beach, The Stratford Festival, and the Arts Club Theatre Company
- Stage Manager for professional theatre company
- Art director and production designer for film and TV
- Events Manager for sporting events
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Arts website to learn more about Theatre: Design and Production.
View full program detailsProgram information
While studying Design and Production for Theatre, you’ll develop important skills and practical experience while also taking courses in play analysis, storytelling foundations, elements of design, collaborative thinking, research methods, and theatre history & theory.
Program overview
- Campus
- Vancouver
- Program length
- 4 years
- Honours This option has additional requirements compared to those required in a Major specialization. Students must maintain high academic standing and may have to write a graduating thesis.
- No
- Co-op Co-op is an optional program where students alternate between academic terms and paid work terms. It’s an opportunity to gain relevant job experience while completing your degree.
- No
- Faculty
- Faculty of Arts
- Degree
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
What you'll learn
The BFA in Theatre Design & Production prepares students for work in stage & screen industries or for more advanced training in graduate school. Coursework is offered in costume construction and design, scenic art, design & technology, lighting design & technology, sound design & technology, properties, stage management, and production design. Students enter the program directly from high school, or during the second or third years at university. First year students crew shows while taking introductory courses in design principles and hands-on stagecraft. In second, third, and fourth years, students often specialize more intensively in one or more areas of interest, which can include participating in the design and execution of our main stage shows.
Experiential learning
The Department of Theatre and Film produces a season of full-length and one-act plays, performed in the Frederic Wood Theatre and the Dorothy Somerset Studio Theatre. Most positions on these productions are filled by students, with faculty advising.
All BFA Design and Production students are required to participate in department productions. The faculty, in consultation with each student, assigns positions of responsibility on production teams, such as designer, assistant designer, technical director, stage manager, show crew, and builder. In these roles, students have the opportunity to work side by side with faculty, guest artists, professional staff, and other students, including Acting and Film Production students.
Program advantages
Participate in professional UBC Theatre Department productions. Take courses that are extremely transferable to other behind-the-scenes design and production worlds.
Courses
There are hundreds of courses you can take within Theatre: Design and Production. Here are a few you might like.
The construction and execution of scenery, costumes, properties, lighting, and sound for the stage.
Basic methods of interpreting dramatic texts and analyzing plays in performance. The plays presented on the Frederic Wood Stage will be studied in this course.
Principles and practice of scenery design for the performing arts
Production and theatre management with emphasis on budgeting, publicity, scheduling, press relations, special events, legal issues, season selection, resumes and interpersonal skills
Outcomes
As a Theatre Design and Production graduate, you’ll be prepared to begin a career in a range of theatre/film/tv/events fields, moving into roles such as set designer; lighting designer; sound designer; costume designer, set decorator; stage manager, properties designer and builder; carpenter; technician; and producer.
Program graduates
Take action & plan
Program requirements
Choose application type:
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Fine Arts (direct-entry specializations only; excludes Creative Writing)
- No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission
- Audition or portfolio
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Social Studies
- Visual and Performing Arts
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you’re unable to visit UBC in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current UBC students walk you through UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Related programs
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Arts website to learn more about Theatre: Design and Production.
View full program detailsGet a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Arts website to learn more about Theatre: Design and Production.
View full program details