Theatre

Learn a flexible and innovative approach to the theatre education and performance studies.

Theatre performance

How can Theatre courses be used?

  • Minor in Theatre
  • Electives to complement your degree

Complement your studies with a creative, practice-based, collaborative and cross-cultural education. The BA Minor in theatre is designed to complement the work being done in other programs. Students are given the opportunity to combine their academic studies with creative and practice-based contemporary performance theory and practice. Small studio classes provide an intimate, collaborative and transformative learning environment through experiential, interdisciplinary and cross-cultural curriculum.

The Minor in Theatre also offers experiential learning opportunities in non-profit cultural organizations, arts-based education, cultural outreach and community engagement, enabling students to acquire transferrable skills valued on the job market.

The option of a Minor in Theatre is open to students majoring in English, Cultural Studies, Art History and Visual Culture, Creative Writing, Psychology, Education, Health, and Management. Students in any program can take Theatre courses as electives to complement their degree.

To complete a Minor in  Theatre, students must take 6 credits in THTR courses at the 100 level; 6 credits in THTR courses at the 200 level; and 18 credits at the 300 and 400 level.

Courses taught this year Academic Calendar

  • The Performer's Process

    Puppet Theatre set

    For those who want to keep their body moving and develop their storytelling skills, The Performers Process will explore online storytelling using miniature DIY theatres – Toy Theatres. Students will gather on a ZOOM platform with the instructor to learn how to build and perform with a toy theatre online. They will also learn and practice a series of physical exercises based on tutorials. These exercises are drawn from a variety of physical theatre and circus disciplines including mime, puppetry, juggling and balancing. (Summer 2020 Term 2 Course: THTR 102)

  • Spoken Word

    Spoken Word emboldens students to reveal their authentic selves to a live audience in a creative and supportive environment. It aims to strengthen the student’s free and natural “vocal instrument” and to develop the student’s ability to write sonically rich material using concrete language and an active voice. The focus of all the work is the relationship between the Spoken Word Artist and their community. (Courses: CRWR 384/THTR 384/CULT 308)

  • Devised Performance

    Devised Public Performance – this is a class in making your own theatre! Students create, rehearse, and perform their work in public.

    If you’re looking for a completely different elective, if you like to work with other people and enjoy going out to cultural events (dance, theatre, music….) this course is for you. There are no prerequisites and it can be taken for upper level or lower level credit. We will be making small solo performances and one big event using shadow play, handmade puppets and masks….and music. And lights. And probably dancing afterwards. (Course: THTR 280/480).

  • Live Art, New Media

    Live Art New Media challenges students to integrate digital communication technologies into live performance and explore the performer/spectator relationship using these technologies. These include hand-held devices, sound art, projections, social media and the re-purposing of analogue systems.

    Students will become more familiar with contemporary media technologies for sound and image recording, reproduction and projection, and integrating digital recordings in live performances. (Course: THTR 401)

  • Performance Art: Global Perspectives

    THTR 309

    Performance Art: Global Perspectives: Explore performance art as a visual medium, a global language and political force. Discover a wide range of experimental and interdisciplinary performance art practices including key contributions by Indigenous artists. (Course: THTR 309)

  • Creativity as Source and Resource

    In Creativity as Source and Resource, students engage in weekly guided studio practice to stimulate their sensory imagination, nurture intuitive expressivity, and reconnect with others and the natural world. Experience the transformative dimension of creativity as a source of personal growth and a resource for the cultivation of self-confidence, resilience, and well-being. (Course: THTR 212)

  • World Theatre and Cultural Performance

    THTR 304

    World Theatre and Cultural Performance focuses on theatre and Cultural Performance practices from South, Southeast and East Asia, Oceania, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas including Indigenous theatre and performance.  (Course: THTR 304/WRLD 404)