Skills Developed through a Theatre Degree

A background in Theatre ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges.

Core Theatre Skills

• Performance skills for theatre, improvisational and workshop productions
• The technical skills to mount fully-staged theatre productions for public presentation
• "Backstage" skills including lighting design, set construction, box office management and costume design and creation
• Knowledge of and expertise in dramatic literature, theatre history and theory, theatre criticism, and playwriting

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

• The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and written opinion pieces
• The ability to organize, understand and analyze sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
• The ability to learn new information and apply this to professional demands
• The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
• The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas

Management and Teamwork

• The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project's intended and successful end result
• The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
• Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
• The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing an industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field.

• Royal Canadian Theatre Company
• Canadian Association for Theatre Research
• Professional Association of Canadian Theatres
• Theatre Canada
• Canadian Actors' Equity Association