Program Overview

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Theatre and Drama Studies Program

The Theatre and Drama Studies program at the University of Toronto Mississauga offers a unique combination of conservatory training and an in-depth academic education. This program prepares students for a dynamic career in the professional theatre world, whether on stage or behind the scenes.

Program Description

Train as a professional actor, immerse yourself in dramatic literature and theatre history, and gain a wealth of hands-on experience behind the scenes, on stage, and on camera. Our graduates perform on all of Canada's major stages, in film, TV, and video games; they run major theatre companies and have become prominent playwrights and directors. Others have gone on to successful careers in education, the law, healthcare, and marketing.

Beyond the Classroom

• State-of-the-art facilities: Housing the latest technological advances in lighting and audio systems, our rehearsal halls, two theatres, and fully equipped workshops guarantee professional-level training conditions.
• The TDS Season: Third- and fourth-year students in TDS perform in a full season of six shows staged at the Erindale Studio Theatre and the MiST.
• Academic groups and societies: Explore a range of theatre and drama organizations at UTM, from the English and Drama Student Society to the Dance Team, the Musical Theatre Club, and more.

Meet Your Community

"My time at UTM has been nothing short of magical. This degree has allowed me to train in acting and production, while also enjoying the academic rigour of dramatic literature, theory, and history courses [...] I’ve had the opportunity to study theatre practices on-site at the Shaw Festival, and write, direct, produce, and perform in my own plays and musicals."

• Jasmine Jenkinson, HBA expected '25

"Throughout my writing and acting career, I’ve run into classmates and professors many times — even alumni from different cohorts, who were not at UTM at the same time as me. And, still, we laugh and commiserate together about our work and the industry; we have that immediate connection through our time at UTM."

• Mark Crawford, HBA '04

Performance Highlights

• A winged revival: The graduating class of UTM's theatre and drama studies program stepped into the world of The Birds , a reimagining of Greek playwright Aristophanes’ 2,400-year-old comedy.
• Murder and madness: UTM students explore infamous Cecil Hotel | Audio drama: Playwright and alumna David Yee wrote a five-part audio drama the cecil hotel based on the backstory of the infamous L.A. lodging’s long history.
• Theatre Erindale marks 30th season with classics, contemporary Canadian productions | Project: Theatre Erindale, having wrapped Five Faces of Evelyn Frost by Guillaume Corbeil, also performed Julius Caesar , Shakespeare's As You Like It , and more during its 30th season.
• 'A Unique Pay-It-Forward Feature': Alumni Thespians Return to Mentor Students | Partnership: Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters , coproduced by Hart House Theatre and The Howland Company, is part of a new educational partnership with a unique feature: Howland Company members take on leadership roles with University of Toronto students throughout the academic year.

Career Opportunities

Pursuing the Theatre and Drama Studies program at the University of Toronto Mississauga opens up a multitude of meaningful career options — our graduates are actors, writers, directors, and producers, but they can also be found at law firms, in teaching positions, and in finance.

• Actor, producer and playwright co-creates new comedy series, premiered on Bell Fibe TV1.
• The work of playwright and Disney screenwriter makes its world premiere at the Stratford Festival.
• Soulpepper Theatre announces appointment of the next artistic director.

Featured Career: Co-founding Artistic Director

Playwright and actor David Yee (HBA '00) is also the co-founding Artistic Director of fu-GEN Theatre Company, Canada’s premiere professional Asian Canadian theatre company.

Learning Pathways

A degree in theatre and drama studies equips you with the skills needed to succeed in the professional theatre world. Your U of T undergraduate degree will also prepare you to thrive in top graduate or professional schools.

• Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Cinema Studies (MA/PhD)
• Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies (MA/PhD)
• Master of Teaching (MT)

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