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Drama Department

Discover The Drama Department

The department of Drama offers a program balanced between practical theatre and academic study of dramatic literature and theatre history. Our aim is to permit undergraduates to explore the subject as a liberal arts discipline and prepare them for graduate, professional, and conservatory schools.

The department offers Major and Honours programs designed to expose students to all facets of theatre practice and study as well as provide them with the flexibility to orient their program towards a particular field of study: Dramatic Literature and Theatre History, Performance (acting, directing, and playwriting), and Production (technical, stage management, and design).

By the end of their final year students will have had ample opportunity to work on the department 's season of productions in the Studio Theatre and Centennial Theatre (including at least three productions in the Studio, one mainstage production in Centennial during the second semester, the New Plays Festival and the student produced Theatre Activ). A number of students will also have had the opportunity to become Theatre Assistants for Centennial Theatre, receive an honorarium, and be responsible for the proper running of the facilities ' operations.

Interested in Bishop’s Drama? Our Department is happy to answer your questions. Student representatives Samantha Adams and David Fuerst Ackles and Department Chairperson Rebecca Harries will tell you what you’d like to know about life and learning at Bishop’s University Drama.

The 2012 Spring Musical

Program strengths

A 6 production season in 2 performance spaces
Committed Faculty with significant professional experience
Visiting artist program
2 Student Festivals each year (New Plays and Theatre Activ )
Countless opportunities for involvement, backstage and onstage.

Popular courses

Concentration in performance with 3 levels of Acting followed by 3 full productions
2 levels of Playwrighting and Directing
Senior seminar courses ie: Topics in Shakespeare, Contemporary Theatre Practice, and more !

Did you know ?

Student playwrights have the opportunity to see their scripts staged and student directors put theory into practice during our annual TheatreActiv student festival and bi-annual New Plays festival.
The New Plays Festival not only provides student writers with an opportunity to showcase their work, but also gives first year students the chance to become involved in a play almost immediately upon arrival at Bishop's

PEOPLE AT BU

Samantha Adams

Samantha Adams is in her final year of study at Bishop’s University working towards her Honours in Drama. She is one of the current Bishop’s University Drama Department (BUDD) student representatives and has just finished working on Black Comedy playing the role of Carol. Samantha has been in past productions at Bishop’s including playing the Evil Stepmother in last year’s Cinderella and Ida Cape in the Canadian play Lost Souls and Missing Persons. She has been involved both onstage and behind the scenes trying her hand at Directing and Stage Management. Post graduation Samantha plans travel and to pursue a career in theatre.