Theatre: Design and Production

at UBC's

Vancouver Campus

While studying Design and Production for Theatre, you’ll develop important skills through and practical experience while also taking courses in play analysis, storytelling foundations, elements of design, collaborative thinking, research methods, and theatre history & theory.

Why this program?

  • Participate in professional UBC Theatre Department productions.
  • Take courses that are extremely transferable to other behind-the-scenes design and production worlds.
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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 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.

Life at UBC's Vancouver campus

UBC Theatre and Film is a renowned department that has produced some of Canada’s most innovative artists and scholars for over 50 years. Our five programs are encouraged to mingle through regular social events such as screenings and productions. Theatre Design and Production students are also encouraged to collaborate with both Acting and Film Production students to produce independent students projects, and thesis films. Undergraduates are also encouraged to network with the graduate level directors and designers within the department to create connections within the Vancouver theatre community for future opportunities.

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Your future

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

  • Film and TV set designer, DC's Legends of Tomorrow
  • Costume designer, Hairspray
  • Set designer for opera, theatre, musical theatre, and dance
  • Art director and production designer for film and TV

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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