Theatre

The Douglas College Theatre Department offers a variety of Theatre courses, most of which are transferable to university. All courses are designed to provide a basis for careers in professional theatre and related fields, for careers in community theatre, or simply for the personal development of the individual student. Our facilities, among the most modern in the province, provide an excellent teaching/learning environment for participants and include a 350-seat theatre, a studio theatre, a dance studio and a theatre shop.

Department Website

For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.

Guest Directors
Professional directors are brought in annually to direct the students in Theatre productions. Past guest directors include Conrad Alexandrowicz, Denise Kenney, Johnna Wright, Sarah Rodgers, Stephen Drover, Robin Nichol, David Bloom, Robert Metcalfe, Pamela Hawthorn and Scott Swan.

Guest Instructors
Professionals are brought in annually to instruct the students in core and specialized classes. Past guests include Sheila Langston (Voice), Angela Gann (Singing), Denise Kenney (Acting), Lynda Adams (Movement), Aaron Bushkowsky (Monologue writing), Scott Swan (Acting), Dean Fogel (Movement) Chapelle Jaffe (Monologue writing), Thrasso Petras (Movement).

Advisory Committee

Janet Allwork
English Representative, Douglas College

Alistair Cook
Past Student Representative (Class of 1997), BC Regional Director & National President of Western Canada Improv Games

Christine Dewar
Faculty, Theatre Department, Douglas College

David Dewar
Film Industry Representative, Producer

David Gordon Duke
Dean of Language, Literature and Performing Arts, Douglas College

Ian Fenwick
Theatre Articulation Representative, Theatre Department, University College of the Fraser Valley

Dean Paul Gibson
Industry Professional and Past Student Representative, Actor, Director, Teacher

Connie Hardie
Talent Agent Representative, Connie Hardie Management

Lyndsay Johnston
Past Student Representative (Class of 2002), Douglas College

Don Kugler
Theatre School/Department Representative, Faculty, SFU

Allan Lysell
Coordinator, Theatre Department, Douglas College

Gayle Murphy
Theatre School/Department Representative, Faculty, UBC

Ross Nichol
Stagecraft Representative, Douglas College

Kathryn Shaw
Theatre School/Department Representative, Artistic Director, STUDIO 58, Department Chair, Theatre Arts Department, Langara College

Cheryl Swan
Faculty, Theatre Department, Douglas College

Career/Further Educational Opportunities

The Theatre Program provides a series of foundation courses for those interested in pursuing a career in the arts. Students in a university transfer program may continue at a university, conservatory or professional acting program of their choice for advanced studies and specialize in various fields including acting and directing. The Program also provides a basis for students who later wish to take more technically oriented courses in radio, television or film, or who wish to specialize in the business/management aspects of the arts industry, either in Canada or abroad.

Location

Courses are offered at the New Westminster Campus.

Intake Dates/Application Deadlines

Because of the restricted number of seats available, students should apply as early as possible. Auditions/interviews for the next intake of concentration and Theatre major students take place in April and May and by appointment only. Classes commence in September of each year. Application deadline April 1 for April/May Auditions, Aug 1 for Late Auditions in Aug. NOTE: Late auditions will be held only if required.

EARLY ADMISSION
Although application and document deadlines may be identified for this program, we encourage all applicants to apply early and to submit all supporting documentation as early as possible. Those applicants who apply early and submit all documents early may be offered early admission.

Other Information

The Theatre Program courses are designed to provide a combination of theory and practical experience for all participants; for example, students study history of the theatre and techniques of acting and also participate in at least one major production per semester. In addition, students may also participate in various performance-related public events, both at the College and in the community.

Theatre History is open to students who are not in the Theatre Program.

Note: A section of Acting is offered to students who are not in the Theatre Program. It is offered in the Winter term by PEFA (PEFA 1120). Please see PEFA Program for further information.

This program offers a free information session.

Visit the Theatre and Stagecraft site at www.douglascollege.ca/st for more information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).

Admission Requirements

1. General Admission Requirements
2. English 12 with a minimum grade of "C" or approved substitution
3. An Audition is required as part of the selection process. Your audition will be evaluated and will be included in the ranking towards the preferential admission process.

Preferred Admission

Admission to the Theatre Program is contingent upon availability of seats, meeting of all admission criteria, successful participation in individual and group auditions, and applicant ranking as determined by a process of selective admission evaluation. To be considered for a seat in the program applicants must meet all admission criteria. The selective admission process uses a structured format including individual and group auditions to evaluate all applicants in relation to the admission criteria established for the program. Following auditions and a review of applications that meet all admission criteria, applicants are ranked according to the degree to which they have met the admission criteria.

Once all available seats are offered, a waitlist may be established. The waitlist is ranked according to the original selective admission evaluation.

Note: Applicants are advised to meet all the admission criteria as early as possible to demonstrate preparedness and motivation for obtaining a seat in the program.

Note: During the audition process applicants are required to:

• participate in a group physical warm-up and movement exercises as directed by members of the audition panel.
• participate in individual and group improvisations as directed by members of the audition panel.
• provide a piece of cold-writing (not prepared in advance) as directed by members of the audition panel.
• present a cold-reading (not prepared in advance) of a selected prose piece as provided and directed by members of the audition panel.
• perform two prepared monologues.
• sing a prepared short segment of a song.
• respond to questions about the applicant's performance experience, career goals, and commitment to the program.
• provide verbal self-assessment comments based on questions from the members of the audition panel.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate high levels of preparation and maturity in the audition process including but not limited to:

• full memorization of monologues.
• respect for other applicants during group work and during individual presentations.
• attention to personal safety and to the safety of other applicants.
• timely completion of all required application elements.
• focus and concentration at all times during the audition process.
• punctuality.

Note: Students without a minimum grade of "B" in English 12 will be required to write the Douglas College Writing Assessment, or an approved equivalent, prior to registering in any English, Communications, or Creative Writing course.

Note: Additional information and appointments for interviews may be arranged by calling 604-527-5400 and asking for the Theatre Program.

Program Duration

The full-time Theatre Program is four semesters long. Full-time university transfer students take a minimum of three Theatre courses plus two Arts electives per semester. Full-time Theatre students take between three and five Theatre courses per semester.

Credentials

Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for a Diploma of Performing Arts in Theatre.

Program Content

(Presently under review)

Semester I

Course	Title	Credits
THEA 1110	Acting for the Stage I	3
THEA 1111	Speech for the Stage	3
THEA 1130	History of Theatre I	3
THEA 1171	Creative Movement for the Stage	3
THEA 1180	Play Production I	3
		15

Semester II

THEA 1210	Acting for the Stage II	3
THEA 1211	Advanced Speech for the Stage	3
THEA 1230	History of Theatre II	3
THEA 1271	Advanced Problems in Stage Movement	3
THEA 1280	Play Production II	3
		15

Semester III

THEA 2310	Advanced Acting	3
THEA 2311	Voice and Movement on Stage I	3
THEA 2380	Play Production III	6
ENGL, CMNS or CRWR	Elective (University Transfer)	3
		15

Semester IV

THEA 2410	Acting for Film	3
THEA 2411	Voice and Movement on Stage II	3
THEA 2480	Play Production IV	6
Elective	(Approved by Coordinator)	3
		15

Note: Electives should be appropriate to the Theatre Program and should be selected in consultation with the Department Coordinator.