In the BFA Design and Production program you'll receive practical experience as well as completing scholarly studies in theatre history and theory. You'll examine set, costume, lighting, and sound design, including set and costume construction, stage and production management, and other production technologies.
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.
Program information
Send details- Campus: Vancouver
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts
- Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Length 4 yrs
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Co-op
Yes
You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
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Honours
No
You can study intense specialization in a single field.
The BFA in Production and Design prepares you for entry-level jobs in commercial theatre or for more advanced training in graduate school. Coursework is offered in construction, scenic art, stage lighting, properties, stage management, and design. The program normally begins in your second year of university and takes three years to complete. During the first year, you are expected to crew shows and explore the alternatives available in backstage work. During the second and third years, you are expected to specialize more intensively in an areas of interest.
Experiential learning
The UBC Theatre program produces a subscription season of plays in the Frederic Wood and Telus Studio Theatres and a studio season of full-length and one-act plays in the Dorothy Somerset Studio Theatre. Through these projects, you will be provided with the opportunity to study and participate in the preparation and presentation of stage productions of a high professional calibre.
All BFA Design and Production students are required to participate in department productions. The faculty, in consultation with the student, assigns positions of responsibility on production teams, such as designer, assistant designer, technical director, stage manager, show crew, and builder. In these roles, you’ll have the opportunity to work side by side with faculty, guest artists, professional staff, and other theatre students. Involvement in these productions is an integral part of the BFA Design and Production training program.
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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 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.
Find out moreYour future
As a Design and Production graduate, you can work in a large range of theatre/film/tv/new media roles such as set designer; lighting designer; sound designer; set decorator; properties designer and builder; carpenter; technician; producer; and so much more.
Program graduates
- Film at 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