Theatre Program Overview

Prepare for a career in the performing arts with a well-rounded integration of performance studies and creative practice.

Program Description

UFV's Bachelor of Arts, Theatre major enables you to acquire a full set of transferable skills that are at a premium both in and out of the workplace: you learn to communicate effectively with diverse audiences; apply research in academic and professional contexts; collaborate as part of a team; plan and manage projects; and engage in creative problem solving.

Program Structure

In the first two years of your bachelor's degree, you develop key abilities in theatre studies, acting and performance, technical theatre and design, and creative practice. In your third and fourth year, you can pursue your own areas of interest and define your creative vision. You also get to delve deeper into devised theatre, design, or directing and build your critical thinking skills by researching and interpreting a range of theatrical practices.

Interdisciplinary Opportunities

To prepare for the expanding creative economy, you also have the opportunity to explore media and artistic practices closely related to theatre such as film, video, digital media, visual arts, and playwriting.

Practical Experience

Right from the start, you can participate in UFV theatre productions, gaining practical experience on stage or behind the scenes. Students work in all areas of theatre, in roles including actor, stage manager, director, designer, dramaturge, and more.

Career Outlook

With the recent launch of a provincial strategy to help grow the arts and culture sector in British Columbia, opportunities in the performing and creative arts are expected to both expand and diversify, notably in the area of gaming, digital and interactive media, film, and video. In fact, the B.C. Labour Market Outlook cites occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport as one of the three groups expected to experience the strongest growth in B.C.

Career Opportunities

• Acting roles in live theatre and film
• Stage management
• Set or costume design
• Event promotion
• Lighting or sound management
• Scriptwriting
• Stunt coordination
• Fundraising
• Commercial video or digital media productions
• Other professions, such as business, law, journalism, teaching, and tourism, where theatre grads can leverage their team building, leadership, project management, and presentation skills.

Degree Overview:

• Program: Bachelor of Arts, Theatre major
• Institution: University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)
• Description: Prepares students for a career in the performing arts by providing a well-rounded education in theatre studies, creative practice, and performance.
• Objectives:
• Develop key abilities in acting, performance, technical theatre and design, and creative practice.
• Gain practical experience through participation in theatre productions.
• Build critical thinking skills through research and interpretation of theatrical practices.
• Develop transferable skills such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and project management.

Outline:

• Year 1 & 2: Focus on developing core skills in theatre studies, acting, performance, technical theatre and design, and creative practice.
• Year 3 & 4:
• Pursue specific areas of interest within theatre.
• Define individual creative vision.
• Delve deeper into devised theatre, design, or directing.
• Develop research and critical thinking skills through analysis of diverse theatrical practices.

Careers:

• Opportunities:
• Acting roles in live theatre and film.
• Jobs in related areas such as stage management, set or costume design, event promotion, lighting or sound management, scriptwriting, stunt coordination, fundraising, commercial video/digital media productions.
• Careers utilizing transferable skills in team building, leadership, project management, and presentation (e.g., business, law, journalism, teaching, tourism).
• Outlook:
• Strong growth projected in the performing and creative arts in British Columbia, particularly in gaming, digital/interactive media, film, and video.
• Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport occupations are one of the three groups expected to experience the strongest growth in B.C.

Other:

• Students can participate in UFV theatre productions from the beginning of the program, gaining practical experience on stage or behind the scenes.

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a fully accredited, public university located in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, just east of Vancouver. Enrolling approximately 15,000 students per year across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, as well as a growing presence in Chandigarh, India, UFV is a comprehensive university that combines the variety of a large institution with the small class sizes and personal connections of a community-focused one. Students come to UFV to learn in a hands-on environment where they know their instructors and are known in return.

UFV is situated in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. The Stó:lō have an intrinsic relationship with what they refer to as S'olh Téméxw (Our Sacred Land), and UFV expresses its gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory.

Changemaking

At UFV, changemaking is not a slogan; it is the organizing principle of the university's identity. As a designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, UFV prepares students to lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to stronger communities through innovation, reciprocity and a shared commitment to positive social change. Changemaking at UFV means turning knowledge into action, connecting learning to the real challenges facing communities in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia and the world beyond.

Academic structure

UFV is organized across six colleges, faculties and a school:

• College of Arts
• Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development
• Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Computing
• Faculty of Science
• School of Graduate Studies

Programs

UFV offers more than 100 programs across academic, vocational, continuing education and trades pathways, including three master's degrees, 21 bachelor's degrees with majors, minors and extended minors in more than 35 subject areas, four graduate certificates, and more than a dozen trades and technology programs. Programs are available across a wide range of disciplines:

• Arts, humanities and social sciences: Bachelor of Arts in History, English, Philosophy, Communications, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Global Development Studies, Latin American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and more
• Business and management: Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration Diploma and Certificate, Agriculture Management BBA, Trades Management BBA, Accounting Certificate, Marketing and Sales Certificate
• Computing and technology: Computing Science BSc, Computer Information Systems (Bachelor, Diploma, Certificate), Automation and Robotics Technician Diploma, Engineering Physics Mechatronics Diploma, Engineering Common Core Certificate
• Creative arts and design: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic and Digital Design BFA and Diploma, Creative Writing BA and BFA.
• Education: Bachelor of Education, Adult Education Degree, Early Childhood Education Certificate and Diploma, TESL Certificate, Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Mentorship)
• Health sciences: Nursing BSc, Practical Nursing Diploma, Certified Dental Assistant Certificate, Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate
• Social work and human services: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Child and Youth Care BA, Social Service Worker Diploma (Indigenous Focus)
• Trades: Carpentry, Electrician, Plumbing and Piping, Welding, Automotive Service, Automotive Collision Repair, Cabinetmaking, Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation, Electronics Technician, and Culinary Arts Certificates
• Indigenous studies: Indigenous Studies BA, Stó:lō Studies Certificate, Social Service Worker (Indigenous Focus) Diploma
• Upgrading and access: Adult Basic Education, English Language Studies, Workplace TASK for adults with disabilities

Campuses

• Abbotsford (main campus): 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7M8 — the largest campus, home to the majority of UFV's faculties, research institutes, library, athletics facilities, housing and student services
• Chilliwack: a full-service campus offering a wide range of programs in the eastern Fraser Valley
• Mission: delivering programs and services for Mission-area students
• Hope: outreach and programming for the Hope community
• Chandigarh, India (UFV India): UFV's international campus, extending the university's reach to South Asia

Sustainability

UFV has achieved a Gold sustainability rating from AASHE (the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education), recognising its performance across environmental, social, and governance sustainability dimensions. Sustainability is embedded across campus operations, curriculum and community engagement, and UFV's Peace and Reconciliation Centre has earned international recognition for its work in restorative justice and reconciliation.

Open education

UFV is a leader in open education in British Columbia, committed to making learning more affordable and accessible through open textbooks, open educational resources and flexible learning models. Students who take courses using open textbooks save significantly on the cost of materials, reflecting UFV's belief that quality education should be accessible to everyone regardless of financial means.

Indigenous UFV

Indigenous affairs and reconciliation are woven through UFV's institutional identity. The Indigenous Affairs office, the Indigenous Student Centre, and dedicated programs in Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies reflect a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous students, honouring Indigenous knowledge and advancing reconciliation with the Stó:lō peoples on whose territory the university stands. UFV is actively engaged in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action in its academic programs and institutional culture.

Research

UFV is an active research university, with faculty engaged in applied and community-focused research across all disciplines. The Centre for the Social Sciences and Humanities, the Peace and Reconciliation Centre, the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, and multiple research chairs bring structured research activity to the Fraser Valley community. UFV's research approach emphasises community engagement and real-world impact, consistent with its Changemaker Campus identity. Alumni have gone on to achieve notable research and professional milestones, including the development of North America's first mobile, modular soil-washing facility by a UFV alumnus in 2026.

Student life and housing

UFV offers a full range of student services, housing, and co-curricular programming to support student success and wellbeing. The new EverGreen residence on the Abbotsford campus offers modern suites and social spaces. A shuttle bus service connects campuses. Cascades Athletics supports varsity and recreational sport. CIVL Radio gives students a student-run campus radio station. The Academic Advising Centre, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Office, and a dedicated Safe Student Community programme round out UFV's student support offer.

Contact

• Main address: 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 7M8
• Phone: 1-604-504-7441
• Toll-free: 1-888-504-7441
• Email: info@ufv.ca

Why UFV

1. A fully accredited Canadian public university enrolling approximately 15,000 students, offering more than 100 programs from trades certificates through to master's degrees
2. A designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, preparing graduates who lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to positive social change
3. Small class sizes with accessible, dedicated faculty across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, plus a growing international campus in Chandigarh, India
4. A Gold AASHE sustainability rating and a nationally recognised Peace and Reconciliation Centre, reflecting UFV's commitment to environmental and social responsibility
5. A leader in open education in British Columbia, making learning more affordable through open educational resources across all programs
6. Deep Indigenous roots, with dedicated Indigenous Affairs and Indigenous Student Centre offices, Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies programs, and active reconciliation commitments on Stó:lō territory
7. Located in the Fraser Valley, one of Canada's most scenic and economically dynamic regions, with easy connections to metropolitan Vancouver