Theatre Performance & Creation, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma - Suspended
Duration: 

2 years

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Peter Fielding
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information visit the Theatre Performance & Creation Department.

Related Careers

Arts and Culture are a growth industry in North American with many theatre artists creating their own material for festivals, solo companies, industry productions and multi-disciplinary collaborations. Film, television, new media and the circus are also avenues that graduates of our program have embarked on. By offering a program that trains both actor and creator, our graduates have an exciting and varied palette with which to infuse the professional theatre industry.

The Program

This program offers training for the emerging theatre artist, as both actor and creator of theatre. Training will include course related theory and research with studio training in skills for the actor and creator of theatre to be accompanied with applied practicum to bring the process oriented courses to fruition. These practicum opportunities are as follows: stage productions, touring productions, site-specific creation projects, theatre intensives with professional guest instructors, theatre related field trips and field study placements in provincial theatre centres.

When not involved in a practicum, students are taking four days of intense classes with components of: career planning, theatre history, dramaturgy/play analysis, acting, voice, movement, creation, improvisation, writing, dance, stage fighting, lifestyle and wellbeing, interdisciplinary arts, and devising theatre. The fifth day is reserved for specialty intensives, industry related events, creation sessions and one-on-one coaching with a professional theatre artist/instructor.

Transfer Features

Theatre programs at RDC have over a decade of experience in transferring students to university programs and preparing them for entrance into leading theatre training schools in North America (i.e. National Theatre School, Studio 58, Sheridan College, Julliard, Neighbourhood Playhouse, etc.). Students have the opportunity to accumulate University Transfer credits into year two of numerous renowned university theatre programs. RDC graduates have continued on to receive B.A. Honours in Drama, B.F.A in Drama, B.Ed. and M.F.A. degrees in theatre related forms at the University of Alberta, York University, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge. Graduates are also eligible to apply for the 3rd and 4th years of the Advanced Certificate and Applied Degree in Motion Picture Arts at RDC.

Service Courses

The performing arts department also offers a selection of university transfer drama courses for students in other RDC programs. These courses are taught by either professional guest instructors or faculty from Theatre Performance and Creation.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

1. High School Diploma with successful completion of ELA 30-1

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts, and successful completion of ELA 30-1

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Other Requirements: 

To be accepted to the Theatre Performance and Creation program you need to have a successful audition. Further guidelines regarding audition expectations are available here.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Career Goals

RDC Theatre Performance and Creation graduate profile: The RDC Theatre Performance and Creation diploma program produces innovative theatre artists who actively contribute to the Canadian theatre community as creators, directors, performers, educators, arts administrators and producers. The RDC grad is also provided with the training to further excel at leading education centres such as the National Theatre School in Montreal, the University of Alberta BFA program in Edmonton, Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and UBC - Okanagan, the Applied Degree in Motion Picture Arts at Red Deer College, as well as other related degrees at leading North American universities. Transfer credits and resume experience may also lead to B.Ed., B.F.A., B.A. Drama Honours, or specialty study elsewhere in the world.

Program Content

Open to Theatre Performance and Creation students only

Year One:

  • THTR 100 Theatre Research and Development I
  • THTR 101 Theatre Research and Development II
  • THTR 110 The Business of Theatre I
  • THTR 111 The Business of Theatre II
  • THTR 120 The Expressive Body I
  • THTR 121 The Expressive Body II
  • THTR 130 The Expressive Voice I
  • THTR 131 The Expressive Voice II
  • THTR 140 Acting I
  • THTR 141 Acting II
  • THTR 150 Theatre Artist Studio I
  • THTR 151 Theatre Artist Studio II
  • THTR 160 Devising Theatre
  • ENGL 219 Language and Literature
  • INTD 241 Wellness & Lifestyle Management

Year Two:

  • THTR 200 Theatre Research and Development III
  • THTR 210 The Business of Theatre III
  • THTR 220 The Expressive Body III
  • THTR 230 The Expressive Voice III
  • THTR 240 Acting III
  • THTR 250 Theatre Artist Studio III
  • THTR 251 Theatre Artist Studio IV
  • THTR 260 Creative Fusion
  • INTD 321 Contemporary Art in Process I
  • One Approved option
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ENGL 219

Explore university-level essay composition and the skills related to critical reading, interpretation, and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent. NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

INTD 241

This course introduces the student to concepts of health, wellness and fitness, providing practical strategies for developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Students, through lectures, practical experience and self-evaluation will address personal wellness in the areas of fitness, nutrition, stress management and self-responsibility. The course serves to assist the student in self empowerment by developing and promoting healthy eating, attitudes of physical activity and behaviors for themselves and others.

THTR 100

An introduction for the theatre artist into the practical and theoretical approaches to play analysis, theatrical forms and styles.

THTR 101

Continued practical and theoretical investigation of plays, theatrical forms and styles. Prerequisite: THTR 100

THTR 110

Introduction to the business of theatre as it pertains to the individual theatre artist.

THTR 111

Continued investigation of the business of theatre as it pertains to the individual theatre artist and theatre collaborators. Prerequisite: THTR 110

THTR 120

An introduction to physical techniques and practices as it relates to theatre acting and creation work.

THTR 121

Continued development of physical techniques and practices as they relate to theatre acting and creation work. Prerequisite: THTR 120

THTR 130

Introduction to the techniques and practices of voice training as it relates to theatre acting, singing and creation work.

THTR 131

Continued development of voice techniques and practices as it relates to theatre acting, singing and creation work. Prerequisite: THTR 130

THTR 140

An introduction to improvisation as it relates to the process of acting and creating for the theatre.

THTR 141

Continued exploration of the acting and creation process as they relate to theatre text. Prerequisite: THTR 140

THTR 150

An introductory level of competencies for further training practices, rehearsal processes and presentations of published plays, new plays and/or self-created works as it relates to ensemble theatre creation and performance.

THTR 151

An intermediate level of competencies for rehearsal and performance of published plays, new plays and/or self- created works as it relates to ensemble theatre creation and performance. Prerequisiste: THTR 150

THTR 160

An introduction to concepts and alternative approaches for devising original theatre pieces. Prerequisite: ENGL 219 and THTR 140

Year 2 Course Descriptions

THTR 200

Advanced practical and theoretical investigation of theatre text, form and styles. Prerequisite: THTR 101

THTR 210

Further investigation of the business of theatre as it pertains to the individual theatre artist and the global theatre industry. Prerequisite: THTR 111

THTR 220

Advanced application of physical expression techniques and practices as they relate to theatre acting and creation work. Prerequisite: THTR 121

THTR 230

Advanced application of voice techniques and practices as it relates to theatre acting, singing and creation work.

THTR 240

Advanced application of the acting and creation process as it relates to theatre styles. Prerequisite: THTR 141

THTR 250

Advanced level of rehearsal process and performance as it relates to a piece of theatre (published, new work or self creation) and/or placement in a theatre related field study environment. Prerequisite: THTR 151

THTR 251

Advanced level of rehearsal process and performance as it relates to a piece of theatre (published, new work or self creation) and/or placement in a theatre related field study environment. This course will also focus on self created solo performance along with preparation for entering the professional realm of theatre or going on to further advanced levels of training. Prerequisite: THTR 250

THTR 260

An intense advanced level laboratory integrating disciplines of the theatre as they relate to solo and group theatre creation and performance. This course taught by a team of specialists, will have students applying advanced levels of movement, acting and voice skills for development and presentation of both published works and self created works. Prerequisites: THTR 160, THTR 220, THTR 230 and THTR 240

INTD 321

20th century trends in music, drama, visual art, dance, and creative writing. The course involves individual and group work by way of studying, being exposed to, and applying these disciplines. There are both evening performances and presentations and day classes. Limited to second and/or third year students.

Study Tours

Each year RDC offers optional Study Tours to world theatre centres (London, New York, Toronto, etc.). Students may wish to budget for $3000-3500/trip for these optional learning opportunities.