University degrees: Courses
Course length: 3 years
Course city: Vancouver
One of the best theatre schools in Canada, Langara College’s Studio 58 (Theatre Arts) provides practical, hands-on training for students looking for exciting and rewarding careers in professional theatre.
Live, learn and work as a professional theatre artist. It’s a full-time job beginning at 8:30 a.m. and often working late. Days are filled with classes, crew calls, rehearsals and evening performances.
Challenging? Yes. Rewarding? Without a doubt. Actors, stage managers, technicians and designers discovered at Studio 58 are now working for professional theatre companies and festivals around the world. In fact, more than 90 percent of Studio 58 students find professional theatre work within six months of graduating. Graduates perform throughout Canada, the United States, Australia and England in live theatre, film, television and radio.
Studio 58 (Theatre Arts), the professional theatre training program at Langara College, presents four full-length plays and two “Risky Nights” projects between October and April. All productions are designed and directed by professionals from the Vancouver theatre community. Theatre Arts students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th terms of the acting program perform in the shows, and production students, along with lower-term acting students, work backstage and provide technical support.
Theatre Arts at Studio 58 offers a three-year Acting Diploma Program and a two-year Production Diploma Program designed to prepare students for a professional career in theatre, film, television, and related arts.
The programs graduate actors and production personnel who have a professional level of commitment and aptitude and who have acquired the skills to become contributing members of these professions.
The instructors are professional working artists in their respective fields. We maintain a close liaison with professional companies in Vancouver, casting agents, and directors, most of whom regularly employ our graduates.
Intake is limited to ensure students receive intensive individual training.
Some lecture and theory are part of the training, but the practical application of various skills is given greatest emphasis.
ACTING OPTION
Particular emphasis is placed on the development of an integrated voice and body as an expressive tool. Communication with the audience and fellow actors is stressed. Students are also encouraged to develop their creative contribution to the theatre process. The acting option comprises six terms. The emphasis in Terms 1, 2 and 3 is on class and project work. Students in Terms 1, 2 and 3 must also participate in extensive crew work on Studio 58 productions. Students in Terms 4, 5 and 6, while continuing with class work, devote most of their time to rehearsal and performance. Attention is also paid to developing audition techniques for film and television and preparation of audition material to be used upon graduation. Acting for film and television is also covered.
Grading
Acting: To be eligible for the second and third terms, students must receive a minimum ‘C’ grade in all subjects. To be eligible for the fourth and fifth terms, students must receive a minimum ‘B-’ grade in Acting and a minimum ‘C’ in all other subjects. To be eligible for the sixth term, students must receive a minimum ‘B-’ in THEA 2350 at the end of the fifth term.
Production: To be eligible for the second term, students must receive a minimum ‘C’ in all subjects. To be eligible for the third and fourth terms, students must receive a minimum ‘B-’ in THEA 2150 or 2250.
Repeating
For the policy on repeating, please contact the Theatre Arts Department. Students wishing to switch their option may do so only with the approval of the Theatre Arts Department Chair/Artistic Director.
Materials and Fees
Course of Study
Unless granted previous credit for university or college-level first-year English, students must enrol in the total program.
