Acting for Stage & Screen

Acting for Stage and Screen Certificate Program

The certificate in Acting for Stage and Screen provides one year of comprehensive training in acting, improvisation, technical basics, history and analysis for both stage and screen. The certificate is for students who want to work towards a university degree, applying their theatre skills to further study in arts or education faculties. Certificate and diploma students share classes and performance opportunities. Upon graduation, certificate students may apply for the diploma program or may transfer to the university transfer program, and could complete an associate of arts degree.

The Diploma in Acting for Stage and Screen provides three years of integrated training in acting for theatre, film and television. The goal is to provide each student with the skills necessary to begin a professional acting career in live theatre, television and film. The first year is comprehensive and introduces students to acting, improvisation, technical basics, history, and analysis for both the stage and screen. In the second and third years of the program students study directing and increasingly specialize in performance and professional skills. Upon graduation, students will have developed the actor's instrument of voice and body, learned text interpretation, and the scale of delivery for film, television and stage. Students will have performed in safe classroom environments, student produced theatre and film projects, and Theatre department productions. Students will have met with professionals for master classes and assessment, and will have developed audition material and a resume. This training will have prepared them to enter the industry. Many courses transfer to university and some students may choose to complete a university degree. 

View the Acting for Stage and Screen diploma program.

Moving from 1st to 2nd Year in the Acting for Stage and Screen Program

There are two cohorts of first year students in the ASAS program, approximately 40 students in all.  Each cohort gets the same training and is expected to take part in all of the technical opportunities offered in first term, and to audition for parts in plays in second term as part of their ASAS 161 course. Evening rehearsals are a requirement in the second term of first year.

Each student will get a Professional Behaviour (PB) report mid-term in both terms. These meetings are an opportunity for the faculty to discuss with the student how they are progressing and where improvement is needed. It is expected that the student will take these discussions seriously and work on the areas they are deficient in.

Towards the end of second term there will be a re-audition session set up for all first years. At that time, they will prepare a monologue to show a panel of instructors. Those instructors will confer and decide who will go on to the second year. The students will be notified via letter. Those not asked to move on in ASAS will be advised to move into other areas, but encouraged to remain at CapU.

Students will be selected to continue beyond first year of the program on evaluation of:

• The students potential to succees as a professional performer
• The students potential to succeed in the future course work of the program

This will be determined by a department selection committee which will base it's decision on

• Grade point average
• An audition
• Successful completion of all the prerequisite courses required for courses in the second year of the program
• Professional behaviour reports

Transfer Credit

Please consult the online B.C. Transfer Guide for the most recent transfer information. Students who complete the diploma can accumulate up to sixty credits towards their university degree. Students may have to audition for placement in other programs, and should consult with the specific institution regarding these requirements.

Information for Prospective Students

Contact the Visual and Performing Arts Office (604.984.4911) for an information package which describes the application process.
Students who are recommended by their high school theatre instructors may apply in November for early acceptance to the programs and may book a January audition. Successful applicants will be guaranteed placement by February.
Make an appointment with the Visual and Performing Arts Office by March for an audition or interview to be held in late April. Late applicants will be considered if space permits.

 View the Theatre Programs in the online calendar

Disclaimer: Capilano University reserves the right to make changes in the course offerings, requirements, charges, regulations, and procedures contained herein, subject to and consistent with established procedures and authorizations for making such changes.

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