In the Performing Arts - Preparation certificate program, students gain first-hand experience in a wide range of disciplines, developing core skills that can help them advance to a more specialized performing arts school. This hands-on performing arts program offers an opportunity for students to improve their performing, auditioning and technical production skills, and will enable students to learn to work collaboratively with other creative individuals.

Students will get to try their hand at acting, singing, dancing and comedy (standup and sketch). They will also learn about the business aspects of the performing arts industry. Throughout both semesters, students make field trips to see live concerts, plays and other professional performances.

In the Performing Arts – Preparation program, students will have the chance to: • Attend several professional theatrical productions throughout the year from the major theatre companies in the area — including Second City, Stratford Festival, Mirvish Productions, Shaw Festival, Soulpepper Theatre and Canadian Stage. • Receive talkbacks from performers after shows. • Engage in conversation with invited guest speakers who are prominent community members, including agents and directors. • Increase their knowledge of how the performing arts industry works in Canada and how auditions are run by various theatre companies. • Develop their own creativity!

Through this program, students will learn to display their talents, discover their strengths and clarify their educational and career goals.

The successful completion of the program will enable the graduate to: • Plan career and education pathways, based upon potential aptitude and interest, that are specific to the genres, processes and roles within the performing arts industry. • Exhibit fundamental performance and production skills reflective of an emerging level of personal process and methodology. • Reflect and critique performance skills of self and peers to inform future performance. • Curate and showcase audition material for a variety of performance and/or educational opportunities. • Interact in a professional manner appropriate to the performing arts industry. • Prepare and execute a live performance working collaboratively and creatively with others.