The College Diploma in Theatre at Douglas College is a two-year diploma program that enables those passionate about acting to explore their interests an kickstart their careers in the field. In year one, students take classes in speech, movement, acting, production and theatre history. They also gain valuable experience working on the four major plays put on by second-year students as production assistant, working in the box office, setting up the opening night reception, as well as doing publicity and promotion.

In year two, students continue with their classes and get on-stage acting experience working with professional directors, set designers and lighting specialists from the arts community, as well as students in the Stagecraft and Event Technology program. Students will act in one major production each semester, applying the theory they learned in year one. Students will perform in the 350-seat Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre as well as a studio theatre, and will learn in other spaces such as the dance studio and theatre shop.

Graduates often transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree at universities both in Canada and abroad, such as UBC, SFU, University of Alberta, Circle in the Square (New York), Neighborhood Playhouse (New York), University of Wales (UK) and more.