Theatre Arts
Create, collaborate, build and design all facets of a performance.
Studying theatre at Laurentian University offers students a unique opportunity to combine theoretical study in theatre with studio courses.
The only Theatre degree program North of Toronto, Theatre Arts offers a personalized learning environment in which students pursue both academic and practical courses in the field. Two mainstage student productions are presented each year. Practical work may include specific roles or responsibilities in professional theatre productions as well as within the Theatre Arts Program.
Students can pursue the four-year BA in Theatre, three-year BA in Theatre or the four-year BFA in Theatre Performance or Theatre Production (completing the first two years at Cambrian College Technical Theatre Program). Students can combine studies in Theatre and Motion Picture Arts. Sudbury is a burgeoning hub of film development and students in the Motion Picture Arts have opportunities each year to work on a professional production in development in the area.We are the only theatre program that allows you to take Concurrent Education while also pursuing a BA or BFA in Theatre. We offer a strong combination of academic and studio courses with three full years of Acting. Additional courses in Theatre on this Land, Theatre History, Voice, Movement, Mime, Physical Theatre, Queer Theatre, Acting for the Camera, Directing, Script Analysis, Canadian Theatre, and Dramaturgy are available. Opportunities to develop your own works in upper years under the direction of faculty present platforms to explore and expand your voice in areas of writing, directing, and performance. Electives to study baby clown, bouffon, and social application of clown are available in Spring sesion.
Academic Advisor
Patricia Tedford
Telephone: 705.673.1730 x 502
Email: thea@thorneloe.ca
Office: Thorneloe T248/ T247
- Three-year program leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts
- 4 Year Honours BA in Theatre
- 4 Year BFA in Theatre Performance ** Requires audition at end of first year.
- 4 Year BFA in Theatre Production (in collaboration with Cambrian College Technical Theatre Program) ***Requires Interview for admission
- Faculty members specialize in acting, voice, physical theater, clown
- Also available: 30-credit Certificate in Theatre Arts (in conjunction with a degree in another discipline)
Students can pursue the four-year BA in Theatre,three-year BA in Theatre or the four-year BFA in Theatre Performance or Theatre Production (completing the first two years at Cambrian College Technical Theatre Program). Students can combine studies in Theatre and Motion Picture Arts. Sudbury is a burgeoning hub of film development and students in the Motion Picture Arts have opportunities each year to work on a professional production in development in the area.
Because of our strong links with the community of Sudbury, students of Laurentian have access to many professional and internship opportunities during their university career.
The study of Theatre is, in essence, the study of living. We study our reactions to social situations. We develop our capacity for the creative expression of our inner mental, emotional and physical worlds. Ultimately, we come to know and understand our response to the world. The skills and sensibilities developed in the study of theatre are transferable to any occupation that concerns itself with the human condition.
As Theatre is a collaborative art form which demands a high level of communication and an ability to work cooperatively with others, it requires the student to question his/her assumptions and develop the capacity to share ideas and knowledge of self in response to his/her environment. It is also an interpretive and expressive art form which exposes students to the stories that have been told throughout history. As such, students become exposed to a history of our cultures around the world.
Theatre is one of the last vestiges where we can go to hear and see truth. We are the reflectors of our society. Students who enjoy and excel in our program are team players who possess an ambitious curiosity and a need to know who they are in this world, as well as a desire to learn what they can contribute to it.
BFA in Theatre Performance
Students must obtain 120 credits in the following credit structure to obtain the BFA degree:
- 60 credits in Specialization
- 24 credits in Fine Arts: Theatre Arts, Music, Motion Picture Arts or a combination of Music, and/or Theatre and/or Motion Picture Arts
- 36 credits of General Electives:
- 12 credits in Humanities and/or Social Sciences, and/or Sciences (with a maximum of 6 credits in any one discipline); ENGL 1705 Introduction to Writing and English Studies (6) is strongly recommended
- 24 credits in any discipline other than in Motion Picture Arts, Theatre, and Music
All students must take THEA 3517 - Theatre Performance Practicum (3 credits) in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year. Registration in this course requires consultation with the Department Chair, and being cast in a major role in a Mainstage Production.
If students intend to pursue a declared Minor in Fine Arts (i.e. Minor in Motion Picture Arts or Music), they should use Fine Arts elective courses towards the Minor, beginning in 1st year. Please see descriptions for Music Minor, Motion Picture Arts Minor.
If students do not intend to pursue a declared Minor, the 24 credits of Fine Arts electives may include Theatre Arts (THEA), Théâtre (THEF), Motion Picture Arts (CINE), and/or Music (MUSC) courses.
Ontario High School Applicants
1 grade 12 English U/M course
5 other grade 12 U/M courses
A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Supplemental material: Students will be required to complete an audition/interview at the end of their first year in order to progress to the second year of the Bachelor of Theatre Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance.
Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.
Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.
Applicants from outside an Ontario High School
Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario
For Current Students
The degree options listed below are for the upcoming academic year, not the current academic year. If you are a current student looking for which courses to take in order to complete your degree options from a previous academic year's curriculum, please consult with an academic advisor.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Specialization in Theatre Performance - BFA
Admissions to this program have been suspended as of May 2020
First Year
THEA 1116E Introduction to Theatre Arts
THEA 1117E Theatre and Performance on This Land
THEA 2127E Voice I
6 elective credits in Fine Arts
6 elective credits in the Social Sciences
6 elective credits in the Sciences
3 elective credits*
Second Year
THEA 2115E Acting I
THEA 2137E Theatre Movement
THEA 2246E Giants, Jugglers and Jesus: Theatre History I
THEA 2247E For God, King, and Money: Theatre History II
THEA 3177E Acting for the Camera
THEA 3217E Voice and Speech II
6 elective credits in Fine Arts
3 elective credits*
Third Year
THEA 3115E Acting II
THEA 3137E Mime
THEA 3246E Theatre History III
THEA 3247E Theatre History IV
THEA 3357E Canadian Theatre
6 elective credits in Fine Arts (THEF 2226 La tradition du bouffon et du jeu masqué and THEF 3106 Application sociale de l'art du clown are recommended.)
6 elective credits*
Fourth Year
THEA 2326E Script Analysis
THEA 3517E Theatre Practicum - Performance
THEA 4115E Acting III
6 elective credits in Fine Arts
12 elective credits*
* in subjects other than Theatre (THEA), Music (MUSC), or Motion Picture Arts(CINE)
Note: Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 level or 9100 level in their degree program.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Specialization in Theatre Production - BFA
Admissions to this program have been suspended as of May 2020
1st & 2nd Year
60 credits* to be completed at Cambrian College.
3rd & 4th Year
THEA 2246E Giants, Jugglers and Jesus: Theatre History I
THEA 2247E For God, King, and Money: Theatre History II
THEA 2326E Script Analysis
THEA 3246E Theatre History III
THEA 3247E Theatre History IV
THEA 3357E Canadian Theatre
THEA 3617E Theatre Production – Practicum
6 credits of THEA 4000
6 credits of Science Electives
6 credits of Social Science Electives
21 credits of other Electives
* If the full 60 credits are not transferable from Cambrian College, extra electives must be taken so that the total number of credits earned is 120.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Theatre Arts
Total 120 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Admissions to this program have been suspended as of May 2020
Specialization in Theatre Arts
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations.
Although the requirements have been slotted in first year in the description below, students may fulfill them at any time during their studies.
Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken as electives or as part of a minor, concentration, major or specialization.
First Year
THEA 1116E Introduction to Theatre Arts
THEA 1117E Theatre and Performance on This Land
6 elective credits of linguistic awareness (see regulations)
6 elective credits scientific literacy
6 elective credits in Indigenous content (starting 2017)
6 elective credits
Second and Third Years
THEA 2115E Acting I
THEA 2127E Voice I
THEA 2137E Theatre Movement
THEA 2246E Giants, Jugglers and Jesus: Theatre History I
THEA 2247E For God, King, and Money: Theatre History II
THEA 2326E Script Analysis
THEA 3115E Acting II
THEA 3246E Theatre History III
THEA 3247E Theatre History IV
THEA 3357E Canadian Theatre
6 additional THEA credits
18 elective credits
Fourth Year
12 THEA credits at the 4000 level
18 elective credits
Note: Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level.
Major in Theatre Arts
Admissions to this program have been suspended as of May 2020
THEA 1116E Introduction to Theatre Arts
THEA 1117E Theatre and Performance on This Land
THEA 2115E Acting I
THEA 2246E Giants, Jugglers and Jesus: Theatre History I
THEA 2247E For God, King, and Money: Theatre History II
THEA 3115E Acting II
THEA 3246E Theatre History III
THEA 3247E Theatre History IV
12 THEA credits at the 4000 level
78 elective credits*
Notes:
- In order to get a BA, students must include 6 credits in linguistic awareness, 6 credits of Indigenous content, and 6 credits in the Sciences if not part of the other minor or second major. Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
- Students must complete a minimum of a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from among their elective credits.
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Bachelor of Arts (General) in Theatre Arts
Total 90 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Admissions to this program have been suspended as of May 2020
Concentration in Theatre Arts
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations.
Although the requirements have been slotted in first year in the description below, students may fulfill them at any time during their studies.
Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken as electives or as part of a minor, concentration, major or specialization.
First Year
THEA 1116E Introduction to Theatre Arts
THEA 1117E Theatre and Performance on This Land
6 elective credits of linguistic awareness (see regulations)
6 elective credits in scientific literacy
6 elective credits in Indigenous content (starting 2017)
6 elective credits
Upper Years
THEA 2115E Acting I
THEA 2246E Giants, Jugglers and Jesus: Theatre History I
THEA 2247E For God, King, and Money: Theatre History II
THEA 3115E Acting II
OR THEA 3187E Directing in the Theatre AND THEA 3346E Theories of Drama
THEA 3246E Theatre History III
THEA 3247E Theatre History IV
6 additional THEA credits
30 elective credits
Note: Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level.
Minor in Theatre – BA students
Admissions to this program have been suspended as of May 2020
THEA 1116E Introduction to Theatre Arts
THEA 1117E Theatre and Performance on This Land
3 THEA academic credits from List A
3 THEA studio credits from List B
12 THEA credits from List A or B with at least 6 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level
List A
THEA 2246E Giants, Jugglers and Jesus: Theatre History I
THEA 2247E For God, King, and Money: Theatre History II
THEA 2326E Script Analysis
THEA 3246E Theatre History III
THEA 3247E Theatre History IV
THEA 3346E Theories of Drama
THEA 3357E Canadian Theatre
THEA 4086E Directed Study
THEA 4096E Special Topics
THEA 4306E Dramaturgy
THEA 4366E Shakespeare in Performance
List B
THEA 2115E Acting I
THEA 2127E Voice I
THEA 2137E Theatre Movement
THEA 2216E Musical Theatre I
THEA 2356E Theatre in Education I
THEA 3115E Acting II
THEA 3127E Voice and Speech II
THEA 3137E Mime
THEA 3177E Acting for the Camera
THEA 3187E Directing for the Theatre
THEA 3216E Musical Theatre II
THEA 3356E Theatre in Education II
THEA 4115E Acting III
Minor in Theatre (For BFA students only)
Admissions to this program have been suspended as of May 2020
THEA 1116E Introduction to Theatre Arts
THEA 1117E Theatre and Performance on This Land
6 credits from:
THEA 2115E Acting I
THEA 2246E Giants, Jugglers and Jesus: Theatre History I
THEA 2247E For God, King, and Money: Theatre History II
6 credits from:
THEA 2326E Script Analysis
THEA 3115E Acting II
THEA 3187E Directing in the Theatre
THEA 3246E Canadian History III
THEA 3247E Canadian History IV
THEA 3357E Canadian Theatre
THEA 4306E Dramaturgy
6 credits from:
THEA 2326E Script Analysis
THEA 3246E Canadian History III
THEA 3247E Canadian History IV
THEA 3357E Canadian Theatre
THEA 4115E Acting III
THEA 4306E Dramaturgy
Certificate in Theatre Arts (30 credits)
Admissions to this program have been suspended as of May 2020
THEA 1116E Introduction to Theatre Arts
THEA 1117E Theatre and Performance on This Land
THEA 2115E Acting I
THEA 2246E Giants, Jugglers and Jesus: Theatre History I AND THEA 2247E For God, King, and Money: Theatre History II
OR THEA 3246E Theatre History III AND THEA 3247E Theatre History IV
12 additional THEA credits
List of Faculty Members
Patricia Tedford, Associate Professor, Chair, Department of Theatre and Motion Picture Arts, Coordinator of BFA Theatre: Theatre Performance, Theatre Production, and Motion Picture Arts
Dr Ian Maclennan, Associate Professor, Registrar for Thorneloe University
Dr. Bill Lane, Sessional Faculty
Jennifer Hazelton, Sessional Faculty
Matt Heiti, Sessional Faculty,
Meredith Zwicker, Sessional Faculty
Denise Vitali, Sessional Faculty