Performance Acting/Dance/Design and Production

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including:

• Performance Acting: Grade 12 U English.
  
• Performance Dance: Grade 12 U English.
  
• Performance Design and Production: Grade 12 U English.

Notes:

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
2. The grade required in the subject prerequisite (normally in the range of 70 percent) will be determined subject to competition.
3. Applicants to Performance: Acting and Performance: Dance will be expected to participate in an entrance audition. As part of the admission selection process, applicants must visit the Performance: Acting or Performance: Dance program page for details about the non-academic requirements.
4. A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CAD (non-refundable and subject to change) is required.
5. Dance applicants must have some prior training in at least one of the following disciplines:  Ballet, Modern, Jazz or Contemporary Dance.
6. Applicants must choose their intended program at the time of application, i.e. Performance Acting, Performance Dance, or Performance Design and Production.
   
7. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

The combination of intensive practical training and academic university theory truly distinguishes Toronto Met’s Performance programs. While learning to achieve their professional goals, students gain a well-rounded education in the humanities and liberal arts. They develop valuable skills in problem solving, adaptability, critical thinking, research, and communication. These skills are essential for success in the current arts and culture industry and they enrich all facets of the student’s life.

The four-year Acting and Dance programs offer an intensive conservatory approach in performance complemented by academics which are a crucial part of the program curriculum. Actors and dancers spend a portion of each day in the studio, and each year brings fresh opportunities to perform in productions of original, innovative and established works. The program trains performers who are distinguished by their capacity to generate original artistic material and their ability to bring a rich mixture of skills into the multi-disciplinary environment. Graduates of the program will be ready for immediate entry into a wide range of performance-related careers and for future professional growth.

The four-year Design and Production program is  for those who wish to become professionals in the production areas of the performing arts/entertainment industries – designer, maker, technician, production manager, and arts administrator. A rigorous balance of academic and production work is integral to all four years. As students progress, they assume positions of increasing responsibility for all facets of the School of Performance productions. This brings them into close working contact with the prominent professional directors, designers and choreographers engaged by the School. As well, students network with their acting and dance colleagues in both the School’s shows and common courses and form creative partnerships that can continue beyond the School.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree awarded to our Performance graduates is recognized internationally in the profession and gives the option of further pursuing studies at the graduate (Master’s) level.

Toronto: Centre for Canadian Theatre and Dance

Toronto is one of the major centres of performing arts activity in North America and Toronto Met, located in the heart of Toronto, offers students unsurpassed access to shows, performers, and the theatre environment. With more than 125 professional dance and theatre companies, commercial and nonprofit, producing over 10,000 live dance and theatre performances per year, students have plenty of opportunity for theatre-going and interaction with working performers - the key to developing discerning critical skills and to bring training into sharper focus.

The Program of Study

The Performance program challenges students with creative study, critical analysis, and exciting traditional and innovative areas of application for their performance skill development.

In the tradition of all Toronto Met programming, the programs bring offers a very strong conservatory perspective to the theoretical exploration of the performing arts. There is a wide variety of practical/studio work, experiential learning projects, and performance-related assignments. Everyone has the opportunity to perform under the guidance of working professionals who are leaders in the artistic community.

The Core Years - Acting

The Acting Program provides a multidisciplinary perspective to performing through a varying combination of studies in theatre, film, television, acting techniques, voice and movement training and dance. A number of theatrical productions staged annually at Toronto Met bring classroom theory to life.

Experienced directors are invited to stage well-known theatrical works for annual fully produced mainstage presentations open to the public. Students can also present their own original works in the New Voices Festival. During the summer the students may have an opportunity to study abroad in Greece, Cortona or Edinburgh, among others..

The first two years introduce the fundamentals of theatre performance which include courses in Acting, Voice, Movement, Dramaturgy, Anatomy of Movement, Film Studies, Time-lines of Performance History, Canadian Theatre, Music, Elements of Production and Creative Performance Studies. Through these foundation courses, students learn to critically approach their work, to develop entrepreneurial initiative, and to find joy in the creative process.

In the third and fourth years students engage in a Study of the Classics, Clown Project, courses in Commedia dell'Arte and Character Masks. They are also assigned roles in several productions and also produce their own work. The students may further refine their career goals through core electives and open electives. Students may choose to focus on Business and Marketing oriented courses such as Entrepreneurship, New Venture Startup and Promotion. Electives are also available in the more traditional theatrical applications of Film Acting, Audition Preparation, Directing, Musical Theatre and many other courses.

The Core Years - Dance

Throughout the four years of study, the Dance Program offers intensive professional training with daily dance classes in ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary dance. It is designed to develop versatile dance professionals prepared for immediate entry into the performance industry, arts education, and multimedia entertainment.

Well-known, experienced choreographers are invited to create, stage, and rehearse their works for annual fully produced mainstage presentations, open to the public. There is also an annual choreographic workshop featuring the students’ own original creations.

The first two years introduce the fundamentals of theatre performance including courses in Improvisation, Anatomy of Movement and Lifestyle, Time-lines of Performance History, Performance Arts in Canada, The Rudiments of Music, a Dance History, and the Basics of Theatrical Production and Creative Performance. Through these foundation courses students learn to critically approach their work, to develop an entrepreneurial initiative, and to find joy in the creative process.

In the third and fourth years students may further refine their career goals through core electives and open electives. Students may choose to focus on Business and Marketing oriented courses such as Entrepreneurship and New Venture Startup. Electives are also available in the more traditional theatrical applications of Film, Dance Pedagogy, Audition preparation, Acting, Staging the Theatrical Production, Musical Theatre Repertoire, Dance Criticism and many other courses.

The Core Years - Design and Production

The new program emphasises two streams of study, Material Practice or Technology.

First year: Who are you? Offers an introduction to live performance and the creative fields primarily through visiting local theatres to see shows and meet with artists. Offers an introduction to live performance and the creative fields, designing and making, exploring ideas and establishing a practice. Course modules include readings, case studies, and the establishment of a journal practice with studio opportunities in all streams.

Second year: Establishing a collaborative practice. Students will immerse themselves in "practice as laboratory" using mock production as a learning tool. Learning to work together to create live performance, students will complete designs and paperwork for a performance and implement several of the objects proposed for the design.

Third year: Global Practice. In the third year students will see a number of performances to heighten their awareness of the diversity of possibilities across for-profit and not-for-profit projects. Students will have an option to travel abroad for the fall semester, while visiting/exchange faculty opportunities can foster greater awareness of educational opportunities at partner institutions. The winter semester provides discussion of a range of performance styles including community based, site specific, parades, protests, activism and puppetry as a way to give students a breadth of experience, with the possibility of local guest instructors offering projects within these genres.

Fourth year: Finding your Voice/Showing your Work. In the fourth year, students will continue to deepen their skills through core electives and application of creative practice hours. Required courses include developing a portfolio, research skills and career planning in the fall semester. In the winter the focus is on independent practice through a capstone/independent study project while completing core electives in their chosen stream.

Advanced Courses

A suite of electives has been proposed for Design and Production students to expand professional preparation through a variety of studio courses in costuming, scenic design and construction, lighting, audio and projection/video design and an exploration of AI platforms. Further, new courses will include budgeting, personal taxes, portfolio preparation, resumes and cover letters, and grant writing, etc. Further, opportunities are embedded in course electives to emphasise the ways students can launch their working lives within several different disciplines through guest lectures, opportunities within IATSE locals (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) and the experience of current faculty members.

Graduates in Demand

Students graduate with an entrepreneurial spirit and a wealth of versatile career skills. Their performance skills ensure that they are well-equipped to enter the Performing Arts and entertainment sector which includes Theatre, Dance Companies, Musicals, Videos, Cruise Lines, Commercials, Industrials, Film. Their exposure to the entrepreneurial dimensions of the Performing Arts equips them to function as a freelance artist, or as a member of creative companies.

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

Last offered 2025-2026 to students admitted Fall 2024 and before.

* These courses have a GPA Weight of 2.00 and will require additional hours of warm-ups, workshops and production requirements.

** Offered in Fall Term.

Last offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2024 and before.

Additional Advanced Core Electives are available (see below) with special permission of the School.

* These courses have a GPA Weight of 2.00 and will require additional hours of warm-ups, workshops and production requirements.

Last offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2024 and before.

Additional Advanced Core Electives are available (see below) with special permission of the School. 

* These courses have a GPA Weight of 2.00 and will require additional hours of warm-ups, workshops and production requirements.  

** Offered in Fall term.

Last offered 2025-2026 to students admitted Fall 2024 and before.

Last offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2024 and before.

Last offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2024 and before.

First offered 2025-2026 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2025-2026 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2025-2026 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2027-2028 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

First offered 2028-2029 to students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

In addition to the general criteria used to determine Academic Standing, students in this program must also meet the following conditions:

Students who achieve a grade lower than 'C+' will be given PROBATIONARY Standing regardless of their overall Grade Point Average (GPA).

Students who fail any of the above courses will receive a STANDING VARIATION WITHDRAWAL Standing regardless of their overall GPA.

Students who receive grades below 'C+' in any two consecutive courses above will receive a STANDING VARIATION WITHDRAWAL Standing regardless of their overall GPA.

Students who achieve a grade lower than 'C+' will be given PROBATIONARY Standing regardless of their overall Grade Point Average (GPA).

Students who fail any of the above courses will receive a STANDING VARIATION WITHDRAWAL Standing regardless of their overall GPA.

Students who receive grades below 'C+' in any two consecutive courses above will receive a STANDING VARIATION WITHDRAWAL Standing regardless of their overall GPA.

Students who achieve a grade lower than 'C', will be given PROBATIONARY Standing regardless of their overall Grade Point Average (GPA).

Students who fail any of the above courses will receive a STANDING VARIATION WITHDRAWAL Standing regardless of their overall GPA.

Students who receive grades below 'C' in any two consecutive courses above, will receive a STANDING VARIATION WITHDRAWAL Standing regardless of their overall GPA.

In addition to the general criteria used to determine Academic Standing, students in this program must also meet the following conditions:

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Justin Atheunis
President
I.A.T.S.E. Local 58

Nova Bhattacharya
Choreographer and Artistic Director
Nova Dance

Martha Burns
Canadian Actor

Justine Chambers
Choreographer and Dancer  
SFU Dance

Jesse Griffiths
Casting Director and Independent Dance Performer
Jesse Griffiths Casting Inc.

Hannah Kiel
Founding Artistic Director
Human Body Expression

Camellia Koo
Set and Costume designer

Etienne Lavigne
Executive Producer Côté Danse
Executive Director Festival Arts Saint Sauveur

Kimberly Purtell
Vice Chair, Associate Designers of Canada and I.A.T.S.E. Local 659
Lighting Designer

Olivia Shortt
Composer, Performing Artist, Theatre Designer
Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance

Madeline Smith
Operations and Community Lead
Cohere for AI

Anisa Tejpar
Co-Artistic Director, Hit & Run Dance Productions Inc.
Associate Producer, Côté Danse      

Jon Wylie
Managing Partner & Executive Member
Proudfoot Management Consulting