Program Overview

Acadia’s four-year theatre program offers two streams of study: performance and production. Theatre is a collaboration. It relies on the talents of many people: The more you can do with knowledge and flair, the more useful you will be to the theatre, to yourself, and to your community. Today’s job market is competitive. When you train in theatre, you will develop professional presentation skills and abilities in personal expression. These qualities give you an advantage in any field. Acadia Theatre is committed to producing articulate, enfranchised citizens of the global community. We want you to possess the skills, ideals, and resilience you’ll need to serve not only the arts but the community at large. Theatre’s collaborative process will prepare you to be flexible in the skills you acquire and apply. You will work on both sides of the footlights. As a theatre student, you will gain practical and conceptual knowledge through academic and studio courses. This knowledge will enrich your sense of how theatre is integral to all developed societies. You will receive a strong grounding in theatre as well as professional preparation. The performance stream offers you a solid foundation in acting, movement, voice, theatre history, and dramatic literature. It will give you the opportunity to perform or to work backstage in the productions of the Acadia Theatre Company. The production stream is a multi-disciplinary program. It will allow you to focus your studies on the backstage elements of theatre. The Acadia Theatre Company produces two shows a year. These are from the modern, classic, and international repertoires. In addition, the company stages a Minifest of original one-act plays each year. Minifest plays are directed, performed, stage-managed, designed, lighted, and costumed by Acadia theatre students under the supervision of theatre faculty. Acadia Theatre’s faculty is composed of professional theatre artists who have outstanding accomplishments in the field. We aim for the highest professional standards in all our work, whether practical or academic. The central principle of our approach is openness and accessibility. Class sizes are small. Faculty will work closely with you on every aspect of your work at Acadia. Acadia emphasizes strong academics and strong production experience. These, combined with our individual attention and excellent introductory theatre training, produce a graduate who is flexible, well rounded, and able to think independently.