Fountain School of Performing Arts

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Theatre Programs

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Why study Theatre at Dal?

  • Facilities: Enjoy excellent learning, rehearsal and performance spaces surrounded by other performing artists in a truly multi-disciplinary environment.
  • A range of subject areas: Choose between a full range of theatre-related subjects, including costume, technical scenography, dramaturgy, directing, playwriting, acting, film, movement and dance.
  • Expert teachers: Our faculty have years of academic and professional expertise and will help foster your sense of connection to the arts community in Canada and abroad.
  • Experience: Prepare for a career in professional theatre with hands-on learning by participating in up to three stage productions a year in various roles and positions.
  • Interaction: Make close friends for life through our intimate, practical and theoretical classes and productions, as well as an active theatre student society.
  • Flexibility: Take advantage of the flexible degree options, including an honours degree, combined honours degree, major or double major – or take electives that don’t require prerequisites.
  • Halifax: You’ll study theatre in a friendly city with an inclusive and diverse arts community! Our students benifit from frequent engagement with artists and job opportunities from companies such as Neptune Theatre, Eastern Front Theatre, Prismatic Arts Festival and the many other companies and festivals from Nova Scotia's busy theatre scene.

Honours? Minors? Majors? Combined? Concentrated?

Confused?

If you have questions about any aspect of studying Theatre in the Fountain School of Performing Arts, please contact the Associate Director, Theatre, who will be very happy to help with anything you need to know.

fspa.theatre@dal.ca


Bachelor of Arts with Honours

We offer four different BA Honours in Theatre degrees. These degrees are each 4 years in length.

BA with Honours in Theatre (Acting)

The Acting program is a BA Honours degree focusing on stage performance, including voice and movement.

Read more about the Acting program.

BA with Honours in Theatre (Costume Studies)

The Costume Studies program is a BA Honours degree focusing on the construction and study of costume for the stage and historical reconstruction.

Read more about the Costume Studies program.

BA with Honours in Theatre (Stage Design and Technical Theatre)

The Stage Design and Technical Theatre program is a BA Honours degree focusing on sets, lighting, sound, props, stage management, and stage design.

Read more about the Stage Design and Technical Theatre program.

BA with Honours in Theatre (Theatre Studies)

The Theatre Studies program is a BA Honours degree that focuses on theatre history, critical analysis of drama, dramaturgy, playwriting and directing.

Read more about the Theatre Studies program.


Bachelor of Arts with Combined Honours

It is often possible to combine a BA Honours degree in Theatre with another subject to produce a Combined Honours degree.

BA or BSc Combined Honours

It is often possible to combine a BA Honours degree in Theatre with another subject to create a BA or BSc Combined Honours degree that is tailored to your individual interests.

The nature of such degrees depends on the subjects chosen. We recommend that you contact the Associate Director (Theatre) to discuss your options.

 


Bachelor of Arts

Without enrolling in one of the Honours programmes, you can obtain a BA in Theatre.

BA Major or Double Major in Theatre (4 years)

A BA Major in Theatre (or BA Double Major in Theatre and another subject) is a 20-credit degree that requires you to complete a certain number of Theatre classes alongside other requirements, as set out in the Academic Calendar.

To discuss this option for your degree, please contact the Associate Director (Theatre).

 

BA (15 credit) with Minor in Theatre (3 years)

A 15-credit BA with Minor in Theatre is designed for students who want to take a general liberal-arts degree in Theatre, would like to acquire a broad and varied knowledge of its various aspects, or are not interested in specializing. For the minimum requirements, see the section on the Minor in Theatre.

To discuss this option for your degree, please contact the Associate Director (Theatre).


Diploma

The Fountain School offers a 2-year Diploma in Costume Studies. This intensified version of the BA Honours degree is intended for students with at least 2 years of prior university education and some experience of working with costume. To learn more, look at the Costume Studies page or contact the Associate Director, Theatre, for academic advice.

Minors

The Fountain School's Theatre program is associated with three different Minor programs, which you can take in combination with your main degree. Minor programs require you to take 3 or 4 credits from a list of specified classes.

Minor in Theatre

The Minor in Theatre requires you to take 3 credits in Theatre classes from an approved list. For details on the courses approved for the Minor, see the Minor in Theatre page.

You can contact the Associate Director (Theatre) for more advice.

Minor in Film Studies

The Minor in Film Studies is an inter-university programme that enables you to take classes in film at Dalhousie, the University of King's College, NSCAD University and St Mary's University.

The Minor programme requires you to take 1.5 required credits and 2.5 electives in film studies from a list that you can find in the Academic Calendar or on the Minor in Film Studies website. You can contact the Associate Director (Cinema and Media Studies) for more advice.

Interdisciplinary Minor in Popular Culture Studies

The Minor in Popular Culture Studies is an interdisciplinary program requiring you to take 3 credits from a list of approved classes.The Theatre Department contributes a number of classes to the program.

For information on the classes, consult the Academic Calendar.

 

Electives

Even if you're not majoring or minoring in theatre or film, the Fountain School may offer courses of interest to you. Many of our classes are open to all students. To see all the classes on offer this year, take a look at our Electives page and consult the Academic Timetable. If you have any questions, please contact the Associate Director, Theatre.

Learn more about undergraduate studies in Theatre

Students with questions about academic programs should contact an Academic Advisor. Please include your Dal ID number in all communications.

Study Abroad in beautiful Český Krumlov
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The Advanced Seminar in Baroque Culture takes you to a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of only two surviving fully functional Baroque theatres in the world. Learn more about the seminar.