Published on Brock University (http://www.brocku.ca)
Some things you should know about us
Get with the Program, and imagine beyond
If you are looking for an intensive undergraduate experience in the dramatic arts here are some other things you should know about us:
- The classes in our program are small, intense and personal. Seminars will enable you to develop critical thinking, presentation and verbal communication skills.
- The program has close links with the Shaw Festival and you will have "behind the scenes" access to theatre productions. We offer a fourth year half-course that is only about Shaw and taught by specialists from the Festival.
- Every summer upper year DART students have an opportunity to study Shakespeare in Performance and Shakespeare: Voice and Text at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario.
- Professionals within the theatre industry are invited to teach courses and run workshops at Brock. We invite theatre companies and artists to perform on campus at any one of our three theatres.
- There are numerous opportunities for you to get involved and gain valuable practical experience in theatre-making. The School of Fine and Performing Arts annual Spring Showcase, the DART One-Act Play Festival, the first year project Gimme 3 Festival , and the opportunity to produce small independent productions all give DART students a very rich and busy four years with us.
- You could become involved in our resident theatre company Theatre Beyond Words, which runs a spring course in mime and non-verbal theatre practices, or pursue placement opportunities with theatre companies in the community like Carousel Players, Essential Collective Theatre, Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, Suitcase in Point - to name a few - or other centres of artistic presentation like the Niagara Artists Centre.
- As a student in Drama and Education and Applied Theatre, you will enjoy opportunities in regional schools and organizations where you can apply and explore the learning you make in class.
- Studying the dramatic arts gives you many skills you can carry forward to different careers and professions. Our Performance graduates are more emotionally expressive, teamwork-oriented, articulate and self-aware people when they enter the work force. Those who focus on Directing, Production, or Design develop organizational, analytical and leadership skills with a strong collaborative orientation. Theatre Praxis graduates develop skills in writing and critical thinking with practical applications.
- Brock University is fortunate in being within easy access of some of the finest theatrical companies in the world including the Shaw Festival and Stratford Festival. Field trips to visit theatre productions are an integral part of our program.
- Brock has its own award-winning Centre for the Arts where you will be able to see professionals in music, theatre, dance and children's entertainment right on campus! (Student's are given considerable discounts!)
- Though we are not a conservatory training program and we do not intend to lead you through a professional training situation Brock University is listed as an Ontario postsecondary institution whose graduating performance program students may be eligible for Apprentice Membership in ACTRA Toronto. See the Current Students page for more information.
Every summer DART students have an opportunity to study at the Stratford Festival. DART students Trevor and Jordan, are seen here on a tour of the Properties Ateliers.
Once again, a terrific group of students from Brock. Throughout the course, and in the post-mortem at the end, it is always a privilege to witness how articulate they are about their work.
Ian Watson, Instructor for the Stratford Festival three-week intensive, Ryerson University, 2012
New for 2012: Be our guest! See professional productions staged by the companies of the St Catharines Downtown Alliance for the Performing Arts (DAPA)
The Department of Dramatic Arts welcomes incoming Majors students with a free ticket voucher to attend professional productions staged by companies of the St Catharines Downtown Alliance for the Performing Arts (DAPA). Students will receive information about all the season's productions at the beginning of the year and will be invited to the DAPA season launch in September. You will have the opportunity to meet the artists and production staff involved with the year's shows. You can choose a show of your choice and receive free entry on the preferred date during the year. The Department is pleased to offer our Majors the opportunity to meet and experience the regional professional theatre and dance community.
What DART can offer YOU!
The Department of Dramatic Arts offers opportunities for students to apply their creativity and craft, contributing to their academic successes within their studies.
Each year, students are eligible to apply for numerous bursaries, awards and job positions offered by the Department, Faculty, University and other partnerships throughout the local community. Award recipients are carefully selected each year and are usually given to student’s who display a positive academic behavior and a willingness to learn and grow.
Other opportunities for students are used to promote the application of certain skills such as our Lighting Technician Assistant, Promotional Assistant, Research and Production Assistant or Wardrobe Assistant. These jobs are often paid, and can be a great way to gain practical hands-on experience in the student’s specific area of study.
In 2010 a new Internship position was created in collaboration with the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This position is offered only to graduating students in fourth year in conjunction with their studies at the Shaw Festival. The successful candidate will be mentored by working professionals at the Shaw Festival during a six-week period in April and May, requiring the student to explore various aspects of professional theatrical performance, design and technical production.
The Concentrations of Study
You can choose from a selection of four concentrations of study:
For more information about each concentration visit the links above or in the Degree Programs menu. For more details about the program’s course offerings, visit the calendar
Admissions Process
Please see the How to Apply page for important information.