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Theatre
ufv.ca/theatre

Theatre Arts diploma

UFV offers a two-year, 60 credit program (including practical skill development courses and university-level courses) leading to a diploma in theatre. The program prepares students for a life-long enjoyment of the theatre. Graduates are qualified to seek entry into professional training schools, transfer to university degree programs, or pursue involvement in community theatre. Exceptional students may be qualified to seek professional work upon graduation.

Transfer

The majority of courses in the Theatre Arts 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 program head, this calendar, the B.C. Provincial Transfer Guide, and a UFV education advisor for advice.

Entrance requirements

1. B.C. Secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older before classes begin. Students with university-level credit must have a grade point average of 2.0 on all credits attempted.

2. 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 semester only. 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. 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.

4. 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.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section for more information. Books and additional supplies cost approximately $100-150 per course. Additional costs may include theatre tours, workshop fees, art supplies, makeup, exercise mats, and suitable acting-class clothing.

Workload and classroom expectations

Most theatre courses meet for three to six hours each week and require approximately twice that time out of class for study and preparation. Theatre practicum courses require from 60 to 200 total hours spread over approximately 10 weeks. Students must have flexibility in their schedules to accommodate the varied time demands of the practicum courses. Rehearsals are usually scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings and on weekends (usually Sunday afternoon or evening).

There is a definite need to learn to balance time and workload in order to succeed in the program.

Dates and locations

The normal academic year is from September to the end of April. Admission for the program is for the fall semester. Students wishing to start in January may do so by taking any course for which they have the stated prerequisites and then applying for the following September. However, they should be aware that because of timetabling and sequencing of courses they can expect to spend 2.5 years to complete the program.

It is possible to earn credits by participating in the external study tours. Contact the program head.

The Theatre department is based in Chilliwack, with facilities on both the Yale Road and CEP campus locations. Most classes are held at CEP and most activities related to practica are carried out in the department's theatre facility on Yale Road. Some courses each year are also offered in Abbotsford.

Part-time students

Part-time students may enrol in any available theatre course at any time convenient to them, provided they meet the stated prerequisites. Part-time students wanting to complete the Theatre program should consult with the program head as early as possible in order to ensure they are taking the right courses in the right sequence.

Standing required for continuance

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 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 Arts 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

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with the Theatre department head.

Diploma candidates who qualify to receive a UFV Theatre Arts 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

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

Students are required to attend an interview with the program head either prior to registration or during the first week of the first semester. Additional interviews will be scheduled to monitor individual student progress.

Acting roles in the practicum sections are obtained through audition.

Theatre students are strongly encouraged to take a high school and/or university-level language course.

Students are not required but are encouraged to take a selected reasoning course, PHIL 100 or STAT 104.

Required courses: 36 credits

Elective courses: 24 credits

• All elective credits must be university level.
• Students planning to “ladder” the diploma into a Bachelor of Arts: Theatre minor or extended minor program should plan their electives carefully to meet the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts.
• At least three elective credits are required from each of Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3 below.
• At least three arts elective credits must be from a subject area other than Theatre, and from courses other than English 105 or 130.

Sample program outline

First year

Semester I

Semester II

Note: Students are strongly recommended to complete one theatre practicum (THEA 199 or 299), and at least three elective credits in either the Social Sciences or Sciences during their first year of the Theatre Arts diploma.

Second year

Semester III

Note: ENGL 211, ENGL 230, or ENGL 231 are strongly recommended.

Semester IV

Note 1: THEA 201 or 202 are strongly recommended if not taken already.

Note 2: Students may take an upper-level theatre course, provided they have met the necessary prerequisites.

Electives

Must be university level. Students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to take a selected reasoning course chosen from PHIL 100 or STAT 104.

Option 1: Social Science electives

• Anthropology
• Criminology (please contact the Arts advisor for details regarding acceptable Criminology electives)
• Economics
• Geography (except those listed under the Science elective category under Option 2)
• Latin American Studies
• Media and Communication Studies
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Option 2: Science electives

• Biology (100-level or higher)
• Chemistry (100-level or higher)
• Computing Science
• Geography 101, 102, 201, 202
• Kinesiology and Physical Education 163 or 170
• Physics (100-level or higher)
• Psychology 202

Option 3: Arts electives

• Art History
• English
• Film
• History
• Languages
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

Practica

Two practica are required for the diploma: THEA 199 and THEA 299. Students are strongly recommended to complete one theatre practicum in each year of the two-year program. Students are allowed to take more than two practica, however, these additional practica must not interfere with other course work. A maximum of twelve practicum credits can be counted towards the diploma.

Some theatre courses require students to work on a department production (usually no more than 10 hours). Involvement in a practicum removes the production requirement for these courses, except for THEA 121 and 123 (10 hour requirement). Actors in the productions are encouraged and sometimes required to work on backstage aspects of the department shows.

Theatre practica are grouped in accordance with each production in the department’s annual season of theatre. Since each production represents a unique project, students may repeat THEA 199 or 299 once for further elective credit towards a Theatre Arts diploma, Bachelor of Arts degree, or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Students may also acquire as many THEA 290 or THEA 295 credits as they wish, however only a maximum of six credits drawn from one each of THEA 199, 299, 290, or 295 can be used for elective credits towards any UFV degree program, including the diploma, BA, or BFA. In all cases, additional credit will only be granted when the work undertaken in each practicum represents a different production role.

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.