Please note:
To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.
Theatre and Performance Major
The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) with a major in theatre and performance explores a broad range of genres and forms, including devised theatre, live art, and social practice. The program deviates from traditional theatre training by experimenting with contemporary processes of performance, unconventional narrative styles, expanded dramaturgy, experimental forms, new media and creative research. It examines how the fundamentals of performance—time, space, body, text, movement—help stage our burning political questions, enact necessary social interventions, and advance the broad aesthetic fields of contemporary art.
Studio courses are supplemented by courses in theatre and performance studies and public facing production courses. Courses chosen from disciplines outside theatre and performance give the program an interdisciplinary component. Students are encouraged to participate in live productions and to develop their own performance projects.
Students whose interest in theatre is primarily historical, critical or theoretical are directed to the art, performance and cinema studies major program, leading to a bachelor of arts.
Admission Requirements
Program and course admission is contingent upon university admission. Contact Student Services for admission procedures, requirements and deadlines. Entry to all programs and to many courses is by audition, interview or application. Contact the school’s office for information on procedures and deadlines or visit our website.
Although the university operates on a trimester system, most CA courses are planned in a two term (fall and spring) sequence. Consequently, students enter in the fall term (September) and are advised to contact the school in the preceding January for program entry and requirements information.
Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing
Unassigned or general elective (type 2 and 3, respectively) transfer credit awarded for courses completed at other recognized post-secondary institutions will not automatically entitle students to advanced standing in the school's programs. Advanced standing is generally given on an individual basis as a result of an audition or interview.
About the School’s Course Offerings
Students are encouraged to take advantage of interdisciplinary offerings within the school. As many programs depend on a continuing sequence of courses completed in order, students should plan carefully to gain the maximum benefit and efficiency from their study. Note that not all courses are offered every term and several are offered on a rotational basis, i.e. every third or fourth term. An advisor is available to help plan study programs.
Students are reminded that the school is an interdisciplinary contemporary arts department, and are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the many disciplinary courses that are available.
Special Topics Courses
The subject matter (and prerequisites) of special or selected topics courses vary by term.
Prior Approval Prerequisite
Where a prerequisite is, or includes, ‘prior approval,’ approval must be obtained before enrolling in the course. Contact the school for further information.
Program Requirements
Entry to all first year theatre courses required for the major is by audition and interview. Contact the school prior to attendance at the university to request information about audition details and dates.
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Academic Continuance Policy
Policy:
All students who successfully complete the acceptance process within the School for the Contemporary Arts are offered the status of “Major” in a specific area of study entering the first year. In order to remain a major, all students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA in CA courses of 2.67. Students that fall below the 2.67 will have a limited time (see process below) to bring the average up before losing their status as a major.
Process:
All SCA student GPA levels will be evaluated at the end of each academic year, normally at the end of the Spring semester. A student who falls below the required cumulative GPA in CA courses of 2.67 will be notified of their probation status as a major with a limited time to adjust their CA GPA. Students will need to meet with the Area Coordinator and Advisor and plan their academic career for either re-establishing the Major or pursuing an FCAT BA with a double minor program. If the student does not bring the cumulative GPA in CA courses to 2.67 in the allotted time, he/she will be dropped from the major. If the student is in first or second year of study within the major and falls below the required cumulative GPA in CA courses of 2.67, the student will have two semesters to bring up their average to 2.67. If the student is in third year of their major, they will have one semester to bring their average to 2.67. Students who lose their status as a major in the SCA will have the option of pursuing the extended minor as part of the double minor BA option in FCAT, or via other options in the university. In extraordinary circumstances, the area coordinator and director of the school will review academic continuance policy cases.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 47 CA units, including
Three core courses below
Introduction to acoustics, psychoacoustics, sound synthesis, audio sampling and signal processing, and sound production in general as relating to music, film sound, radio, new media, art installations and live performance. Students who have taken CA (or FPA) 184 cannot take CA (or FPA) 149 for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 149 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| OL01 |
Stefan Smulovitz |
Online |
Introduces the many ways artists have employed moving images across artistic disciplines. By the completion of the course students should have a good sense of both the historical innovations and traditions in moving-image arts as well as the use of moving images in the contemporary art scene. Students with credit for FPA 186 may not take this course for further credit.
An introduction to the techniques of artistic composition as experienced in a collaborative interdisciplinary studio environment. The emphasis is on the creation, analysis and critique of new compositions created in collaborative groups by students in dance, music, theatre, film/video and visual art. Prerequisite: One of CA (or FPA) 122, 130, 145, 150, 160, 170. Students with credit for FPA 285 may not take this course for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Erika Latta |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
plus one additional CA course outside the major* - the area strongly recommends CA 217.
and all of
The first of four performance studio courses in the Live Acts cluster. A practical introduction to the foundations of live performance making from a variety of perspectives. With a rotating topic each term, students develop the foundational skills for creating original, contemporary live art. Prerequisite: By audition.
The second of four performance studio courses in the Live Acts cluster. A continued exploration of the foundations of live performance making from a variety of perspectives. With rotating topics each term, students develop the foundational skills for creating original, contemporary live art. Prerequisite: CA 151.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Erika Latta |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
An introduction to the processes, tools and technology used in the production and presentation of the contemporary arts. Course requirements will include hands-on assignments in the production of theatre, dance, and music events. Students will work directly with equipment and materials, and are expected to be involved in work on productions and exhibitions outside of lecture and lab hours. Laboratory fee required. May be of particular interest to students in other areas and departments. Students with credit for FPA 170 may not take this course for further credit.
The third of four performance studio courses in the Live Acts cluster. A continued exploration of the foundations of live performance making from a variety of perspectives. With rotating topics each term, students develop the foundational skills for creating original, contemporary live art. Prerequisite: One of CA 123, 131, 146, 152, 161, 171.
The fourth of four performance studio courses in the Live Acts cluster. A continued exploration of the foundations of live performance making from a variety of perspectives. With rotating topics, students develop the foundational skills for creating original, contemporary live art. Prerequisite: One of CA 123, 131, 146, 161, 171, 251.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Sessional |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
Emphasizes compositional skills and the rigorous exploration of movement, text, and design. Co-Lab provides directors, performers, writers, sound artists, designers, filmmakers, and choreographers opportunities to devise, rehearse, and perform new public facing performances or events to audiences over the term. May repeat once for credit. Prerequisite: One of CA 123, 131, 146, 152, 161, 171.
Further explores 'the body' as a primary material of performance using a variety of perspectives on embodied practice as aesthetic experience. With rotating topics each term, students develop the foundational skills for creating original, contemporary live art. Prerequisite: One of CA 123, 131, 146, 152, 161, 171.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Sessional |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
The first of two courses focused on the experiential production of space, Environments I introduces students to contemporary practices, concepts and methods specific to creating site specific and responsive performance. Prerequisite: One of CA 123, 131, 146, 152, 161, 171.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Steven Hill |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
The first of two courses in the Context cluster. With a grounding in performance studies, this course explores histories and theories of the avant-garde, live art, and theatre. With a rotating topic each term, students develop the foundational skills for analyzing, researching, and writing about contemporary performance. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
and one of
Students having a basic familiarity with elements of production and design participate in an in-depth theoretical and practical exploration of staging, audio and lighting for theatre, dance and music production. Assignments will be conducted in class and through practicum work on productions. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 170.
Students having a basic familiarity with elements of production and design participate in an in-depth theoretical and practical exploration of stage and production management for theatre, dance and music production. Students in this class will develop skills necessary to provide technical support for the school's productions. Assignments will be conducted in class and through practicum work on productions. Maybe of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 170. Quantitative.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Kyla Gardiner |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
* See advisor for course options.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 30 CA units, including
The first of two courses dedicated to the development of a new work of performance led by a faculty member or visiting artist. Introduces themes and concepts, develops process and materials for a presentation in the subsequent term. Integrates the techniques acquired in context and studio courses. May repeat once for credit. Prerequisite: CA 252 and declared status in the theatre and performance major or honours, or by prior approval.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Ryan Tacata |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
The second of two courses in the Social Studio stream. Building on CA 354, students will continue research and experiment with contemporary methodologies at the intersection of performance and social practice. Prerequisite: CA 354.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
James Long |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
The second of two courses focused on the experiential production of space, Environments II introduces students to contemporary practices, concepts and methods specific to creating site specific and responsive performance. Prerequisite: One of CA 221, 231, 246, 252, 256, 261, 271, 285.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
The second of two courses in the Context cluster. Work will include reading, writing and experiments in live performance creation. With a grounding in performance studies, this course offers a variety of frameworks and approaches to the histories and theories of the avant-garde. live art, and theatre. With a new topic each term, students develop skills for analyzing, researching, and writing about contemporary performance. Prerequisite: CA 257W. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Ryan Tacata |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
Offers fourth year theatre and performance students an opportunity to review and frame their performance practice as a unique method of inquiry. Students establish the context of their individual practices while experimenting with bespoke methods of creation, reflection, and potential presentation/production models for their capstone projects. Prerequisite: CA 253, CA 355, CA 356, CA 357W.
Supports the production and presentation of capstone projects from the theatre and performance area. These projects are student-led and grounded in their unique creative research on emergent and individualized methodologies for contemporary performance making. Projects supported range from collaborative ensemble creations to solo performances. Prerequisite: CA 451.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
James Long |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
GOLDCORP |
and an additional three units of upper division units in CA outside the major - the area strongly recommends CA 412W when its topic is performance.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
| Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
| W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each) |
|
| Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) | |
| B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division: Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc |
|
6 |
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
|
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.