Our four-year bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre is the only one of its kind in Atlantic Canada. You can study acting or technical theatre production.

Acting stream – Develop fundamental acting skills including voice, movement and speech. You'll learn how to apply these skills to scene study, acting technique and live performance.

Technical theatre stream – Master the key skills of theatre production, including lighting, sound, wardrobe, props, carpentry, drafting, scenic painting and stage management. 

Why study theatre at Grenfell?

Grenfell's theatre program combines practical and academic training. In addition to working with theatre professionals, you'll get a broad liberal arts education with a strong concentration in dramatic literature. So whether you pursue your theatrical dreams or decide to use your degree as a platform for another career, you will be well prepared.

We believe in giving one-on-one attention. Our acting studio classes have a maximum of 20 students and our technical theatre production studio classes have a maximum of 15 students. 

Travel to the United Kingdom

In your final semester, spend up to eight weeks at Memorial's Harlow Campus (UK) taking master classes with British working professionals and seeing shows in London and Stratford-upon-Avon. 

Industry connections

You'll learn from experts in the field. Our faculty and staff are actors, directors and technical theatre production professionals who have worked around the world. Our master classes, instructed by guest artists, provide a fresh perspective on various specialized theatre skills.   

Major production opportunities

If you're an acting student, you will be in a minimum of six productions and if you're a technical theatre student, you will work on a minimum of 12 productions. 

Broad career options

Our graduates are employed in theatre, film, TV and a wide range of other disciplines, including education and law. Check out what some of our graduates are doing.

Location

Newfoundland has a vibrant arts scene and is home to many talented actors, playwrights, directors and producers. Several professional theatre companies operate in the province; they employ not only our graduates, but our current students as well. Our province continues to foster a growing industry in film and television. 

Two degrees in five years

Some of our students opt to stay for one additional year to complete a bachelor of arts (English) degree in addition to their BFA (theatre). This is a great option, especially for students considering becoming a high school teacher. 

Admission

Admission to our theatre program is competitive. You must meet the general admission requirements for Memorial University. In addition, to be considered for the acting stream you must prepare an audition or to be considered for technical theatre production you will have an interview. For the acting stream, please prepare a monologue, no longer than 3-minutes in length, from a contemporary play. 

New pilot admissions process effective fall 2025! The School of Fine Arts and the School of Music are expanding admissions requirements to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of skillsets, learning styles, outlooks, and creativities a student includes in their application. These Schools have developed a pilot admissions process to welcome talented students from a variety of backgrounds who do not meet the current general admissions requirements.

Career opportunities

Acting

Stage actor | Film and television actor | Theatre educator | Radio broadcaster | Arts administrator

Technical Theatre Production

Lighting designer | Scenic artist | Stage manager | Event planner | Prop maker | Technical director | Rigger | Film/TV crew | Operations co-ordinator | Theatre educator 

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