Theatre: Acting

at UBC's

Vancouver Campus

Receive professional actor training from UBC's renowned BFA program. Your studies will span story telling, improvisation, scene study, movement, and voice, working up to training in screen acting, auditioning, solo creation, singing, voice-over, and stage combat.

Why this program?

  • Receive professional actor training supplemented by a solid grounding in the history of theatre.
  • Work on UBC productions in cooperation with faculty and professional staff.
  • Access to the Frederic Wood Theatre, Telus Studio Theatre in the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, and Dorothy Somerset Theatre.
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Program information

  • Campus: Vancouver
  • Faculty: Faculty of Arts
  • Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
  • Length 4 yrs
  • Co-op No
    You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
  • Honours No
    You can study intense specialization in a single field.

The BFA in Acting is a professional actor training program supplemented by a solid grounding in the history of theatre, while also offering many of the benefits of a liberal arts education. Courses are fully integrated with theatre in UBC productions, and you will work on shows in cooperation with faculty and professional staff.

The first year serves as an orientation to UBC, fulfilling some required Arts courses and a selection of electives. The second year focuses on the development of the actor’s instrument through storytelling, improvisation, scene study, movement, and voice. The third year covers the study and practice of acting styles including Commedia dell’arte, Chekhov, and Shakespeare. The fourth year incorporates screen acting, auditioning, solo creation, singing, voiceover, and stage combat.

Courses are fully integrated with Theatre at UBC productions, and students act in shows that are directed and coached by guest artists and faculty who are working professionals and leaders in their disciplines.

 

Campus features

  • Frederic Wood Theatre: a fully equipped proscenium arch, 400-seat theatre.
  • Telus Studio Theatre in the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts: an experimental black box theatre with seating arranged on three levels of 12 towers placed in a horseshoe shape, seating 270 people.
  • Dorothy Somerset Theatre: a black box studio theatre with flexible seating.

Theatre at UBC is a renowned training program that has produced some of Canada’s most innovative artists and theatre practices for over 50 years. Our five programs are encouraged to mingle with regular social events with collective meals and complimentary tickets for all to opening nights. We also have an organized student organization: DAFT (Design, Acting, Film, Theatre Council) that organizes events and advocates for student concerns.

Life at UBC's Vancouver campus

Theatre at UBC is a renowned training program that has produced some of Canada’s most innovative artists and theatre practices for more than 50 years. Our five programs are encouraged to mingle with regular social events with collective meals and complimentary tickets for all to opening nights. We also have an organized student organization: DAFT (Design, Acting, Film, Theatre Council) that organizes events and advocates for student concerns.

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Your future

Your future is filled with options, including work as a film/TV /new media, theatre, puppet, physical theatre, multidisciplinary, or voice actor; building your own theatre collective/company; becoming a director or a producer or a playwright; working in marketing, sales, or arts administration. You will be well prepared for careers that require creative problem solving, excellent communication skills, public speaking skills, and working within groups to achieve a goal. 

A small sampling of the distinguished actors who have studied with us includes: David Adams, Lois Anderson, Sarah Afful , Ryan Biel, Brent Carver, Nicola Cavendish, Camyar Chai, Gavin Crawford, Robert Clothier, Rachel Cronin, Evan Frayne, Meghan Camille Mitchell, Ruth Nichol, Moya O’Connell, Eric Peterson, Dawn Petten, Sarah Rodgers, Laara Sadiq, Kerry Sandomirsky, Goldie Semple, Tom Scholte, Camille Sullivan, and Katey Wright.

Program graduates

  • Actor, Arts Club Theatre
  • Producer and co-artistic director, Indigo Child Productions
  • Director, Coquitlam Youth Theatre
  • Director, Awkward Stage Productions

Program requirements

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
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