Theatre Arts

The TRU Actors Workshop is the live stage element of TRU’s Visual & Performing Arts Department.  All stage productions feature students enrolled in various acting and technical theatre courses, during a full season of production in the Actors Workshop Theatre.  Providing training for the past 25 years, the Theatre Major is the only one outside the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island region offering a full range of university-level theatre arts courses.

Theatre Arts Disciplines & Opportunities

The Theatre Arts Program at the TRU provides students with a variety of undergraduate courses designed for both the theatre specialist and the generalist.  Acting, from first to fourth year levels, directing, theatre history and technical theatre courses offer students a full range of theatre options linked to both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees.  In addition, theatre students can acquire credit through their participation and performance in several major productions staged by the department each year.

The theatre program is committed to student artistic development.  Dedicated theatre are eligible for several monetary awards for both junior and senior levels of study to encourage and reward technical and acting excellence. For more information on awards and bursaries, please contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office.

University enrolled students can also take advantage of the on-campus TRU Drama & Theatre (TRUDAT) club that typically features original and alternative material performed in Theatre Program’s former home, the Alumni Theatre.

Program Requirements

Students are normally expected to enter the Major program in their third year of studies.  All candidates must meet with the Major’s advisor to verify their qualifications and then design the best-suited path for completing the BA degree, and to discuss the various theatre courses options available.  The admission requirements into the Theatre Arts Major Program requires the completion of at least 54 credits in Theatre, of which a minimum of 30 credits must be at the upper level (300 and 400 level) of which no less than 6 credits must be at the 400 level.  The program consists of 24 credits of core and elective courses.