Location | Email Address | Program Website |
---|---|---|
Centre for Film & Theatre (CFT) 324 | gradthea@yorku.ca | theatre.gradstudies.yorku.ca |
The Graduate Program in Theatre is a conservatory program set in the atmosphere of a multifaceted university. York’s program is unique in Canada and one of the very few of its kind and intensity in North America. Its fundamental mission is to help each student/artist fulfill her or his own potential as a creator.
The program rests on the principle that professional training in theatre is most effectively carried out in an atmosphere that approximates the profession to which the students aspire.
The program investigates the nature of the art and the skills needed for performance in today’s theatre, film and television industries. The program is geared to the advanced student who has a dedication to craft and performance-creation; to the highly talented student right out of undergraduate school; and to the professional in need of re-evaluation and a fuller understanding of the art form. The purpose of the training is to involve the developing artist in intensive explorations under the guidance of leading experts and specialists from the theatre department faculty, from across Canada and from the international theatre community.
The Graduate Program in Theatre at York University is located in one of North America’s major centres for theatrical film, television and media production.
Students may obtain their Master of Fine Arts in combination with a Master of Business Administration degree. Please see the Combined MBA/MFA/MA section of this Calendar for more information.
The graduate program consists of a highly select group of up to twelve actors, four directors, three playwrights, two voice teachers, two acting teachers and two movement teachers.
Performance students focus their studies on preparation for the work they will encounter in the profession. Day to day training includes vocal, physical, and emotional work, improvisation, textual preparation, language preparation, mask work, clown work and scene study.
Directing students learn an appreciation of the craft of the actor by participating in some of the actor training. They take part in directing workshops and study approaches to research. They direct productions for the department.
Playwriting students. The objective of the playwriting area is to develop imagination and powers of observation, to stretch the playwrights’ reach and to help them discover a wide variety of options.
Design students. The design for performing arts field supports the development of committed professionals as master designers for theatre, dance and opera who understand the need to re-examine existing theatre practices and, while retaining their artistic and intellectual goal, do so in a sustainable and ecological manner.
Voice Teacher Diploma students.*
*This graduate diploma is not accepting new registrants. In addition to the actor training, the voice teacher diploma candidates engage in weekly seminars, observations, assist senior faculty and teach under supervision. The training includes voice, voice science, anatomy and physiology, language, speech sounds, phonetics, dialect, coaching techniques, and traditional and non-traditional approaches to voice.
For all students the first year of the program consists primarily of intensive studio work leading to a final project. The summer session is devoted to research, and the second year leads to a repertory of plays.