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Theatre
ufv.ca/theatre

Theatre diploma

UFV offers a two-year, 60 credit program leading to a diploma in theatre. Graduates are qualified to seek entry into professional training schools, or to transfer to university degree programs. Exceptional students may be ready to seek professional work upon graduation. The program also gives students an enriched appreciation of theatre and enhanced skills for involvement in theatre.

Transfer

The majority of courses in the Theatre diploma program are transferable. Consult the B.C. Provincial Transfer Guide at bctransferguide.ca for details. Students who plan to continue their education at another post-secondary institution should make themselves fully aware of its requirements, particularly when choosing electives. Consult the calendar, the B.C. Provincial Transfer Guide, and a Arts advisor for advice.

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. Secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older before classes begin.

2. Applicants with previous training in acting may audition for direct admission to THEA 112 Essentials of Acting. Applicants with no training in acting should enroll in THEA 111 Introduction to Acting.

3. Students with university-level credit must have a grade point average of 2.0 on all credits attempted. Transcripts must be submitted to substantiate this.

4. Applicants must satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see English language proficiency requirement in the Admissions section of the calendar.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Arts Studies program path.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall and Winter semesters For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Submit the application fee along with your UFV application for admission form to the Office of the Registrar (OReg). You can apply online or download an application form at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply. Application forms are also available from any OReg or Student Services office. 

Additional documents required for a complete application:
• Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
• Transcripts (or interim transcripts) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements.

2. Students who have attended a post-secondary institution must submit an official transcript (sealed envelope) for each institution attended, whether or not they have completed courses there. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details. To retain your original application date, order early so transcripts arrive within two weeks of the date your application is mailed or submitted.

3. For students planning to audition for direct admission to THEA 112 Essentials of Acting: when your application has been processed by the Office of the Registrar, you will receive information on audition dates, and a copy of the audition guidelines. These guidelines are also available on the Theatre website. Applicants who reside outside the Lower Mainland area should contact the Theatre department assistant for alternate arrangements.

4. Upon admission to the program you will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required when you register (see the Fees and Other Costs section). This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees is due the end of the second week of classes.

If you meet all of the entrance requirements, but the program is full, you will be given an opportunity to register in the Arts Studies program path. Should a space become available at a later date, you will be contacted.

5. In cases where interim transcripts are submitted, an admission decision may be made conditional upon completion of academic requirements. Proof of completion of entrance requirements are due the beginning of August.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Students auditioning for direct admission to THEA 112 Essentials of Acting will be assessed on their ability to do the following:

• Demonstrate self-aware physical and vocal presentation skills;
• Listen and observe effectively when performing;
• Use role-play and dramatic enactment to explore life experiences;
• Respond to critique constructively;
• Collaborate with others as part of a creative team.

Part-time students

Students who attend UFV part-time, or who are enrolled in other programs, may take any available theatre course for which they have the prerequisites. Part-time students wanting to complete the Theatre diploma should consult the calendar or meet with an Arts advisor to ensure they are completing the appropriate courses in the correct sequence.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section for more information. Books and additional supplies cost approximately $100-200 per course. Additional costs may include theatre tours, workshop fees, art supplies, makeup, exercise mats, and suitable acting-class clothing.

Location

The Theatre department’s facilities are located at the CEP and Yale Road campus locations in Chilliwack. Most classes are held at CEP and most activities related to the department’s production season are carried out in the performance theatre on Yale Road. The department also offers courses in Abbotsford.

Standing required for continuance

Theatre diploma students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

Academic warning

Students whose grades fall below a 2.0 CGPA will be placed on Academic Warning for the next semester. A student on Academic Warning may not register in Theatre practicum courses or a course overload. Students who achieve a semester grade point average of 2.0 will continue on Academic Warning until the CGPA equals or exceeds 2.0.

Required to withdraw

Students who do not achieve a minimum semester grade point average of 2.0 while on Academic Warning will be withdrawn from the Theatre program. A student who has been required to withdraw may continue to take courses as an Arts Studies student.

Readmission to the program

To be readmitted to the Theatre diploma, you must complete nine university-level credits (can be duplicate courses), with a minimum 2.0 CGPA. Once these criteria are met, you may apply for readmission at the Office of the Registrar. When readmitted, you will remain on Academic Warning until your overall CGPA is 2.0.

Graduation

A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required in order to receive a diploma.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done through regular consultation with the Arts advisor for Theatre.

Diploma candidates who qualify to receive a UFV Theatre diploma must be approved by the UFV Arts division and the Senate.

Students must apply for graduation by completing a Request to Graduate form available at the Office of the Registrar. We recommend this be done in the first month of the graduating semester. The final deadline for submissions is April 1, with all program requirements completed by April 30 for students wishing to attend the June convocation ceremony.

Program requirements

Theatre Practice requirements: 15 credits

Theatre Studies requirements: 12 credits

Writing Requirement: 3 credits

Note 1: Students who enter the Theatre diploma program with a grade of A in English 12 (or an equivalent course), or a grade of A in ENGL 099, or a grade of A in English 091, may replace the ENGL 105 requirement with any ENGL course numbered 108 or higher.

Note 2: In assessing a high school grade, the BA program uses the blended final grade. English 12 equivalent courses include English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, International Baccalaureate English A (standard level or higher level), Advanced Placement English.

Elective requirements: 30 credits

12 credits chosen from:

• THEA 112 (Essentials of Acting), THEA 211 (Acting III), THEA 215 (Voice and Body I), THEA 220 (Stage Management), THEA 250 (Storytelling), THEA 199, THEA 299
• Notes:
  • THEA 112 may not be counted as an elective if used it to satisfy the Theatre Practice requirement
  • Students interested in Acting should register in THEA 211 and 215
  • Students interested in Technical Theatre should register in THEA 220 and in an additional practicum course (THEA 199 or THEA 299)
  • Students may repeat THEA 199 and THEA 299 for credit, provided the letter designation and production role differ.

12 credits chosen from:

• Subject areas other than Theatre
• At least 3 of these credits must be chosen from a creative arts discipline: Art History, Fashion Design, Film Studies, Graphic Design, Media and Communication Studies, or any lower-level English course designated as Creative Writing.

6 credits chosen from:

• Any subject area, including Theatre

• All elective credits must be university level.
• Students planning to use the diploma to transfer into a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or other program should consult the calendar or meet with an Arts advisor to ensure they select electives that meet the requirements of the BA, BFA, or other program.
• Elective credits must be chosen from courses other than ENGL 105, 130, 233, and 234.

Sample program outline

First year

Semester I

Semester II

Second year

Semester III

Semester IV

Note: Students may take an upper-level theatre course, provided they have met the necessary prerequisites.

Practica

Theatre practica are assigned to each production in the department’s annual season of theatre. Two practica are required for the diploma: THEA 199 (Technical Theatre Practicum) and THEA 299 (Theatre Production Practicum). Students are strongly advised to complete one of the required theatre practica in each year of the two-year diploma. The department also offers two credit/non-credit practica designed for students who wish to develop additional experience in theatre practice: THEA 290 (Theatre Practice – Small Ensemble) and THEA 295 (Theatre
Practice – Large Ensemble).

Theatre practicum courses require from 45 to 130 total hours spread over approximately 10 weeks. Rehearsals are usually scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings and on weekends (usually Sunday afternoon or evening).

Since each production represents a unique project, students may repeat THEA 199 or 299 once for further elective credit towards a Theatre diploma. Students may also acquire as many THEA 290 or THEA 295 credits as they wish. A maximum of twelve lower-level practicum credits (six required from THEA 199 and 299, and six elective credits from THEA 199, 299, 290, or 295) can be counted towards the diploma. In all cases, additional credit will only be granted when the work undertaken in each practicum represents a different production role.

Acting roles in the practicum sections are obtained through audition.

Work Study

The Theatre department participates in UFV’s work study program. Consult the student Financial Aid department.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see course descriptions section.