Acting programs in Canada provide aspiring actors with the opportunity to hone their craft and develop the skills necessary for success in a competitive industry. From prestigious conservatories to comprehensive degree programs, there are a number of choices for students looking to pursue their passion for acting. If you’re looking for a high quality Canadian acting school, we hope this article helps you in your search.
SECONDARY SCHOOL ACTING CLASSES
At the high school level, many Canadian schools offer specialized drama classes or even full-fledged theatre departments. These courses can help students develop essential performance skills as well as an understanding of how theatre works both on stage and off. Depending on the school, these classes may be accompanied by additional extracurricular opportunities like summer camps or student-run productions that give budding actors ample chances to practice their craft. Taking these classes looks great on a resume in the future and can help students get into post secondary acting schools.
CONSERVATORY POST SECONDARY ACTING SCHOOLS
For those wishing to take their training further, there are a variety of college and university offerings available in Canada. Many of these institutions provide intensive conservatory style training that involves intense classes and workshops designed to prepare students for professional acting careers. Programs such as The National Theatre School, located in Montreal, focus on developing skills like improvisation, scene study and stage combat while also connecting students with industry professionals through classes and showcases. Other examples of stellar conservatory acting schools include Vancouver Film School and VADA Studios, both of which can be found in picturesque Vancouver, British Columbia.
CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES WITH ACTING PROGRAMS
In addition to conservatories, Canadian universities offer comprehensive degree programs that combine traditional academic studies with intensive performance training. These programs allow students the opportunity to build an arts-focused portfolio while still learning important principles from other fields like literature or history that can be applied to their craft. They may also have the chance to participate in more specialized courses such as physical theatre or new media performance. Some examples of universities in Canada that offer acting programs include the University of Alberta and Toronto Metropolitan University. You can also find Studio 58 at Langara College in Vancouver.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOU
The first step to choosing an acting school is to decide which of the two kinds you are more interested in. Would you like to spend your time focused entirely on acting at a place like VADA Studios, or would you prefer to attend an institution like the University of Alberta and incorporate some other academics into your learning? One you have decided, you can start researching schools. You should be able to find lots of information on schools’ websites, but you can also attend information sessions or contact the schools to find out more about the length of time you would spend in a program there and how much it would cost for you to graduate. Also take a look at their alumni so you can get an idea as to what kind of success their students experience.
Overall, acting programs in Canada provide aspiring actors with a variety of options for developing their skills and pursuing their dreams. Whether they choose to attend a conservatory or university program, students will have an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals as well as gain insight into the business side of theatre. With these resources at their disposal, Canadian actors can be sure that they are prepared for success in this exciting and ever-changing field.
