The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting is an intensive three‑year program that prepares actors for the demands of contemporary theatre. Students develop core performance skills — movement, voice, diction and interpretation — while learning to use the body and voice as expressive tools. Training is put into practice through public productions directed by industry professionals, supported by coursework in theatre history and analysis to deepen artistic understanding. The program concludes with career‑focused training to help graduates transition confidently into the profession.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting
Program overview
DURATION
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Why choose this program
Comprehensive Acting Training: The BFA in acting is a three-year program that focuses on three main areas: specific acting techniques, practical performance opportunities, and theoretical understanding of theatre history and analysis. This holistic approach ensures that students develop control over their body and voice, gain practical experience through public performances, and acquire a solid foundation in theatre history and analysis.
Performance Opportunities: Students have opportunities to apply their training in a series of four public performances directed or supervised by recognized professionals. This hands-on experience allows them to showcase their skills and gain valuable practical insights into the world of theatre.
Theoretical Understanding: Alongside practical training, the program offers a solid grounding in the history and analysis of theatre as a live art form. This includes learning about theatrical culture, which helps students contextualize their work as actors and deepen their understanding of the craft.
Career Preparation: The program concludes with courses and workshops aimed at providing graduates with the tools they need to manage their careers and join the acting profession. This includes guidance on career management and practical skills such as writing for the theatre.
Scholarship Opportunities: The Department of Theatre offers a generous scholarship program that rewards academic achievements and provides financial support based on student needs. This ensures that talented individuals have the opportunity to pursue their passion for acting regardless of their financial situation.
Program structure
Browse program options
An audition is required for the BFA in Acting; it takes place in March-April.
Admission requirements and deadlines for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting
After your studies
After completing your undergraduate studies in Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, you have two main paths to consider: continuing your education or entering the workforce.
You may choose to pursue graduate studies, such as a Master’s degree (MFA), to deepen your knowledge and cultivate your sense of aesthetic diversity, exposing you to contrasting approaches to the director’s art — from traditional, text‑based production to devised and post‑dramatic performance.
Alternatively, you can move directly into the job market. Your degree can lead to a variety of careers in fields such as Actor. These opportunities allow you to apply your skills in public speaking, adaptive problem-solving and stress management in real-world settings.
Whether you choose further studies or enter the workforce, your degree provides a strong foundation to build a career in acting.
Tuition and fees
Student experience
Theatre club CTUOTC
The University of Ottawa Theatre Club was founded in 2023 to provide post-secondary students with a place to pursue their passion for theatre. The club is open to all students of uOttawa, regardless of their program or previous experience in theatre, as well as the larger theatre community that exists here in Ottawa.
Shows and events
Every term, we present a series of productions led by artist-mentors, established directors, and students enrolled in the MFA Directing Program. Students from the BFA Acting Program, students from the BA in Theatre Studies program as well as students from other departments from across the campus are invited to participate in a wide variety of creative projects.
Student Association of the Faculty of Arts (SAFA)
SAFA represents the interests of undergraduate students of the Faculty of Arts within the UOSU, the Faculty, the University, the community, and the provincial and federal governments. The students’ association also works to foster a sense of community through social, academic, and cultural events, while at the same time offering a variety of services to its members.
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