Devised Performance and Theatre Creation (BFA)

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Devised Performance and Theatre Creation is designed for those passionate about creating original theatre projects. This program equips you with the skills, experience, and inspiration to define your unique artistic voice and bring your creative ideas to life on stage in innovative ways. You’ll become a holistic, inclusive, and forward-thinking theatre artist capable of producing fresh, original work.

The BFA in Devised Performance and Theatre Creation is the only program of its kind in Western Canada specifically dedicated to the study and performance of devised theatre and performance creation. While other programs may offer classes in devised theatre, this one is fully committed to your development as a theatre artist. It supports you in creating and producing your own work in your own voice and prepares you for professional opportunities in conventional theatre productions.

Through this program, you’ll have the chance to devise original projects and create both solo and collaborative performances, all while building a strong foundation in theatre practice. You’ll develop key skills in voice, movement, acting, devising, writing, design, dramaturgy, and technical theatre to bring your creative vision to life.

Beyond the stage, you’ll gain valuable skills that apply across many fields, including public speaking, teamwork and collaboration, creative problem-solving, self-expression (both oral and written), critical thinking, textual analysis, a sense of play, and more.

With a focus on originality, collaboration, and innovation, this program prepares you to leave your mark on the world of theatre and beyond.

What is Devised Performance and Theatre Creation?

Devised performance and theatre creation is a collaborative process where theatre artists work together to create original works. Instead of relying on a pre-written script, the performers, directors, and designers contribute to the creation of the piece. This approach emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and innovation, resulting in unique and fresh theatre that reflects the collective input of the entire creative team.

In the BFA in Devised Performance and Theatre Creation, you will create your own projects, developing both solo and collaborative performances, while also establishing a solid foundation in theatre practice.

Some of the courses available in this program include:

THTR 121 - Costume Construction

Costumes help create an instantly recognizable character or help tell the story. This course not only gives and/or develops students’ fundamental sewing skills but provides an introduction into pattern development, the role of costume in performance, and the language of costume building.

THTR 135 – Devised Theatre I

This foundational performance class is designed to unleash creativity, create ensemble, and build strong physical and theoretical groundwork for a responsive, committed and creative theatre artist. This class will focus on theatre exercises and explorations as applied to devised work.

THTR 202 - Playwriting

This course provides basic skills and approaches to writing a play. Students will develop theatrical texts through writing exercises, readings and peer critique. Of interest to writers of all media.

THTR 231 – Acting II

Building on skills developed in Acting I, this course will further explore the actor’s craft through scene study. Skills applied to existing scripts and plays in development.

THTR 435 – Devising III

Building on the discoveries from Devising II, this course focuses on re-viewing, re-thinking, re-imagining and re-examining the dramaturgy and development of the projects that emerged. The fourth year cohort creates a template of their final project, which includes determining the production needs necessary to rehearse and produce this performance.