Fall 2026: Apply now!
Please visit the International application deadline page to find out when applications may be available.
If you’ve always loved acting and can’t see yourself doing anything else, the two-year Diploma in Theatre at Douglas can get you started. It is an intensive, professional training program that blends courses on the foundation of acting with extensive mainstage performing experience. In year one, you'll take classes in speech, movement, acting, production and theatre history. In year two, you'll perform in a major production each semester, applying the theory you learned in year one. Plus, you'll get to work with professional directors and designers who are active in Vancouver's professional theatre sector.
Gain experience in modern theatre facilities
Our facilities, among the most modern in the province, provide an excellent teaching and learning environment. You’ll perform in the 350-seat Douglas College Theatre as well as a studio theatre, and will learn in other spaces such as the dance studio and theatre shop.
Continue your education
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.
Job opportunities
Over 1,200 actor and comedian job openings as well as over 3,000 producer, director and choreographer job openings are expected in British Columbia for the next nine years.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition and fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:
** A university transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the 5 Research Universities - SFU, UBC, UBCO, UNBC or UVIC – according to the BC Transfer Guide.
Course Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|
Semester I |
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Acting for the Stage I |
3.00 |
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Speech for the Stage |
3.00 |
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History of Theatre I |
3.00 |
|
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Creative Movement for the Stage |
3.00 |
|
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Play Production I |
3.00 |
|
|
Semester I Total Credits |
15.00 |
|
|
Semester II |
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|
Acting for the Stage II |
3.00 |
|
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Advanced Speech for the Stage |
3.00 |
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History of Theatre II |
3.00 |
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Advanced Problems in Stage Movement |
3.00 |
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Play Production II |
3.00 |
|
|
Semester II Total Credits |
15.00 |
|
|
Semester III |
||
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Advanced Acting |
3.00 |
|
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Voice and Movement on Stage I |
3.00 |
|
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Play Production III |
6.00 |
|
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Select one course from the following three options: |
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CMNS |
Select one university transferable ** CMNS course |
3.00 |
|
CRWR |
Select one university transferable ** CRWR course |
3.00 |
|
ENGL |
Select one university transferable ** ENGL course |
3.00 |
|
Semester III Total Credits |
15.00 |
|
|
Semester IV |
||
|
Acting for Film |
3.00 |
|
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Voice and Movement on Stage II |
3.00 |
|
|
Play Production IV |
6.00 |
|
|
Elective (UT) |
Any university transferable ** course approved by Coordinator Note: Electives should be appropriate to the Theatre Program and should be selected in consultation with the Department Coordinator. |
3.00 |
|
Semester IV Total Credits |
15.00 |
|
|
Total Program Credits |
|
60.00 |
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Tuition deposit
When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.
Career opportunities include: