Program Overview

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Introduction to the wîcêhtowin Theatre Program

The wîcêhtowin Theatre program is a transformative certificate program in performance and theatre design. This comprehensive and experience-based learning approach for emerging First Nations, Métis, and Inuit actors, playwrights, and designers—as well as students interested in an Indigenous perspective—delivers meaningful and principled skills in the areas of performance and technical theatre design.

Program Overview

• The program is a two-year certificate.
• It can be taken full-time or part-time.
• Students can enter this program directly from high school.
• The program can also be started off-campus.

What You Will Learn

You will be trained as theatre professionals in the areas of performance, theatre design, and collective creation. The program culminates in a world premiere of a new theatrical work, created, designed, and performed by you and other program participants.

Skill Sets Gained

• Creativity
• Presentation and communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Teamwork/Interpersonal skills
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data
• Decision-making skills
• Goal-setting
• Adaptability/flexibility
• Personal management/Motivational skills
• Organizational/Planning skills
• An integration of mind, body, and spirit

Featured Classes

DRAM 110: Technical Theatre I Scenic Construction

Introduces the fundamentals of producing theatrical scenery, including theatre safety, scenic construction techniques, scenic painting, and an introduction to entertainment rigging. Regular sessions require a minimum of 10 hours of production work beyond regular class and lab hours.

DRAM 111: Practicum I Indigenous Performance Methods

Indigenous culture and world views are explored using the "communicative method" fundamental to the field of language instruction. This course is divided into three distinct modules: "Acquisition," "Application," and "Expression."

DRAM 231: Introduction to Indigenous Playwriting

The purpose of this course is to learn the basics of dramatic writing, with a focus on writing for the stage. The course is intended for students with little to no previous university-level writing experience but who have an intense interest in theatre.

Careers

Some graduates go on to use their practical experience within theatre companies, in film or television in the following positions:

• Actor
• Playwright
• Screenwriter
• Stage manager
• Production manager
• Stage designer
• Costume designer
• Lighting designer
• Director
• Arts administrator

Others find that the skills they've learned prepare them for a wide range of careers in areas such as teaching, media, public relations, publishing, project management, or advertising.

Tuition Estimates

| Canadian students | International students
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Tuition | $822.60 per 3 credit unit class | $3,981.30 per 3 credit unit class
Student fees | $1,308.24 per year | $1,308.24 per year

Program Options

The Certificate in wîcêhtowin Theatre is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science. You may earn the certificate on its own, concurrently with a degree, or after having already received a degree from here or another institution.

International Students

The College of Arts and Science strongly recommends that international students do not enroll in a certificate program alone, as course offerings per term and program length may not be sufficient to maintain eligibility for a study permit, on/off-campus work permit, or post-graduation work permit when taken as a stand-alone program.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements depend on your situation. For high school students or graduates, university/college students or graduates, and special (mature) admission, specific criteria apply.

Special (Mature) Admission

Special (mature) admission is available to applicants who do not qualify for regular admission. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older by the first day of classes, be entering their first year of post-secondary study, and have fewer than 18 credit units of transferable university-level course work.

Application Deadlines

Start term | Application deadline | International deadline
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Winter
January 2026 | Dec. 1, 2025
Documents due: Dec. 15, 2025 | Sept. 1, 2025
Documents due: Oct. 1, 2025
Spring
May 2026 | April 1, 2026
Documents due: May 1, 2026 | Feb. 1, 2026
Documents due: March 1, 2026
Summer
July 2026 | May 1, 2026
Documents due: June 1, 2026 | March 1, 2026
Documents due: April 1, 2026
Fall
September 2026 | July 15, 2026
Documents due: Aug. 1, 2026 | May 1, 2026
Documents due: June 1, 2026
Winter
January 2027 | Dec. 1, 2026
Documents due: Dec. 15, 2026 | Sept. 1, 2026
Documents due: Oct. 1, 2026

Related Programs

• Drama
• Indigenous Studies