Program Overview
Introduction to the Acting Program
The Acting Program at Dalhousie University is a dynamic and intensive professional actor training program. Offered as a four-year BA with Honours, students audition for admission into the Acting Program.
Program Structure
The training is progressive in nature and culminates in the students performing in four major productions. Classical and contemporary acting, voice and speech, dance and movement, devised theatre creation, audition technique, and singing are among the subjects offered.
BA in Theatre with Honours (Acting)
This description is based on the Academic Calendar, which is the official source for degree requirements. The following lists only the required classes for the Acting program. Students must also complete enough elective classes to fulfill Dalhousie's requirements for a BA Honours degree. Honours students must maintain at least a B+ average in all of their advanced Theatre classes.
Year 1
- PERF 1000.03 (Writing About Performance)
- PERF 1002.03 (Writing About Stage and Screen)
- THEA 1801.03 and 1802.03 (Introduction to Acting and Performance)
From first year onward, students must achieve a B in all Acting Program classes and must also be recommended by the Acting Faculty in order to advance to the next year's class of study.
Year 2: The Discovery Year
The second year of the Acting Program introduces students to performance approaches that range from the classical to the contemporary. Students will also receive a foundation in devised theatre creation through exploration of central principles such as collaboration, style, and ensemble. Emphasis is placed on discipline, dedication to craft, and how to become an informed and vital contributor to the creative process.
- THEA 2011.03 (Ancient and Medieval Theatre)
- THEA 2012.03 (Early Modern Theatre)
- THEA 2801.03 and 2802.03 (Acting 2)
- THEA 2811.03 and 2812.03 (Voice and Speech 2)
- THEA 2821.03 and 2822.03 (Dance and Movement 2)
Year 3: The Transformation Year
The third year of the Acting Program is structured to build on the knowledge acquired in the previous two years. Students learn how to integrate what they have discovered as they gain further understanding of skills, techniques, and creative expression. Third-year students perform in one show of the Fountain School season and may be invited to perform in others, depending upon the needs of the plays chosen and the student's readiness for the performance situation as assessed by the faculty.
- THEA 3801.03 and 3802.03 (Acting 3)
- THEA 3811.03 and 3812.03 (Voice and Speech 3)
- THEA 3821.03 and 3822.03 (Dance and Movement 3)
- MUSC 1081.03 (Voice Clinic for Theatre)
Year 4: The Interpretation and Performance Year
In the final year of the Acting Program, students' studies are geared toward performance and entering the world of professional theatre. The company of fourth-year Acting Program students will be cast in two Fountain School season shows. Classes are devoted to preparing the student actor for transition into the profession.
- THEA 4801.03 and 4802.03 (Acting 4)
- THEA 3503.03 (Modern Theatre)
- One elective course in Theatre History
- Two elective courses from the following list:
- THEA 2901 Dramaturgy: The Art of Developing Plays
- THEA 2902 Play Analysis for Directing
- THEA 3601 The Playwright in the Theatre a
- THEA 3602 The Playwright in the Theatre b
- PERF 3830.03 Dance and Movement Composition
- THEA 4250.03 Artists as Entrepreneurs: From Concept to Creation
- THEA 4925.03 Puppets: Bringing Objects to Life
- THEA 4101.03 Short Theatre Apprenticeship
- THEA 4102.03 Long Theatre Apprenticeship a
Fourth-year students complete the Honours Qualifying Project upon the satisfactory completion of a professional portfolio.