Theatre
In this program you’ll learn about all aspects of theatre. UVic theatre students are involved on stage and behind the scenes in the Phoenix Theatre mainstage season.
Potential careers
What can you do with a theatre degree? Here are a few jobs and fields that relate to the program:
- actor
- voice actor or announcer
- production coordination
- director
- playwright
- set designer
- costume designer
- stage manager
- communications coordinator
- teacher or instructor
- arts administration
- student services
- producer
- corporate trainer
- entrepreneur
Some of these roles may require post-graduate ³Ô¹ÏÍø or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Enrol in the Your Career Starts Here course to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the theatre program
- With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to theatre:
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the theatre program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Creative or design project
THEA 331 - Directing I
Direct scenes to learn textual analysis, stage composition and rehearsal methods
THEA 351 - Introduction to Scenic Design
THEA 352 - Scenic Design
Design stage settings and create set models
THEA 390 - Directed Studies in Theatre History
THEA 391 - Directed Studies in the History of Drama
THEA 392 - Directed Studies in Theories of Acting
THEA 393 - Directed Studies in Theories of Directing
THEA 394 - Directed Studies in Applied Theatre
THEA 395 - Directed Studies in Production and/or Management
THEA 396 - Directed Studies in Scene Design
THEA 397 - Directed Studies in Costume Design
THEA 398 - Directed Studies in Lighting Design
Engage in a hands-on project through a directed study course
THEA 453 - Scenic Design for Production
Design sets for department productions
THEA 454 - Lighting Design for Production
Design lighting for department productions
THEA 465 - Costume Design for Production
Design costumes for theatre production
Creative performance or exhibit
THEA 305 - Advanced Production and Management
THEA 405 - Specialized Studies in Production and Management
Production assignments in support of department productions
THEA 329 - Theatre Performance
THEA 429 - Theatre Performance
Perform in department productions (audition required)
Creative or physical project
THEA 105 - Introduction to Stagecraft and Technical Practice
Introductory production course in set and costume construction and lighting
THEA 205 - Introduction to Production and Management Areas of the Theatre
Complete a practical assignment for a mainstage production
THEA 348 - Lighting for the Theatre I
THEA 349 - Lighting for the Theatre II
Study and apply elements of design in a studio environment
Course-based
THEA 338 - The Broadway Producer
Create investment documents for a simulated Broadway production
THEA 347 - Theatre History IV
Do a research project related to theatre history using primary source materials
Field experience
THEA 235A - Theatre for Community Building
THEA 235B - Drama in Education
THEA 335A - Theatre in Education
THEA 335B - Socially Engaged Theatre
THEA 435 - Advanced Practices in Applied Theatre
Engage with community groups and combine theory and practical work
Work experience
Work experience terms
Take part in a modified co-op program requiring one or two work experiences
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the theatre program.
Theatre practice
- perform in the theatre
- understand stagecraft and technical practice
- understand the history and language of the theatre
- understand the art of acting and the actor’s creative process
- understand the principles of play reading, textual analysis and sound research
- appreciate the unique capability of theatre to synthesize different art forms
- understand theatre within cultural, social and political contexts
- value the contributions of actor, designer, director, playwright and production personnel
- value aesthetic, artistic and creative approaches unique to the theatre
- be aware of the diversity and global dispersion of contemporary varieties of English
Acting
- apply characterization to different genres, styles and periods
- speak on stage in different genres, styles and periods
- use basic movement vocabulary for the stage
- understand the technique of improvisation in stage movement
Applied theatre
- use theatre for social change and community building
- apply theatre to teaching
- apply theatre for cultural, recreational and community planning
- take theatre to non-traditional venues such as museums or healing and health agencies
- explore improvisation and collective creation
Design
- understand the history, theory and practice of theatrical design
- apply design techniques and principles and use a graphic vocabulary
- conceptualize visually
- apply the theory and practice of lighting design
- use computer-assisted design in lighting
- create three-dimensional design communication and model-making for scenic design
- create costumes taking into account material and construction principles
- examine all aspects of a design focusing on the actor in the space
Directing
- understand the social, political and artistic histories of world cultures
- direct stage productions in three forms: thrust, proscenium and studio
Production and management
- oversee scenic construction, wardrobe, lighting, sound and stage management
- manage theatrical properties
- manage audience services, marketing and communications
Theatre history
- explore the forms, conventions and styles of theatre in different eras
- compare theatrical traditions from one era with those of another
- use advanced library research methods