Performing Arts – Preparation

You May Be Interested If:

You’re a senior secondary student with an interest in a career and/or further studies in the field of performing arts, whether as a performer or working ‘behind the scenes’ in the technical aspects of production. You’d like to explore this interest first, before committing to this path, or you may feel you can benefit from more in-depth learning at the college level as preparation for applying to a full-time program. Either way, this dual credit program is a great opportunity!

What Students Are Saying About This Program

“An absolutely extraordinary experience.”

“The program had great teachers and provided a positive environment.”

“I really liked that I had to step out of my comfort zone and be someone different.”

“This experience has changed my outlook about going to college and has opened my eyes about my future career goals.”

What Will I Learn/Do?

You’ll be able to take either one or two courses: one that will give you a chance to explore and develop acting/performance skills, and one that focuses on the movement and dance. If you are working on drama assignments as part of your high school curriculum, and/or are in a school play or musical, your professor will work with you to include material from your current work in the course activities to enhance the relevance of your learning, while making it easier for you to manage your workload.

Course Descriptions:

In this course you’ll be introduced to exercises and approaches to acting using text and improvisation as a focus. This will help you define and free yourself as a performer. You’ll also be analyzing scripts from an actor's perspective, and through this course work, you will learn how to analyze a text and improvise using a variety of acting techniques. After taking this course, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the challenges and rewards available to the actor for further study and work.

Movement and Dance 1

Through repetition and building complexity of movement sequences, in this course you will learn how to execute a basic ballet class, consisting of practical exercises that build strength, flexibility, stamina, and coordination. You’ll experience the importance of good dynamic alignment and enhanced expression using imagery and a variety of effort qualities, and have to opportunity to work with live musical accompaniment. You will learn the benefits of this training for related performing arts professions such as acting, singing, and choreographing.

Pathways to Full Time Sheridan Programs:

After successfully completing the Performing Arts – Preparation Dual Credit Program you may wish to apply to the full time Performing Arts – Preparation Ontario College Certificate Program which provides a comprehensive one-year introduction to the performing arts. If you are accepted, the dual credits you earned will be counted as courses already completed. In this immersive, hands-on program, you’ll gain first-hand experience in a wide range of disciplines, developing core skills that can help you advance to a more specialized performing arts school. You’ll have an opportunity to:

• Improve your performing, auditioning and technical production skills
• Learn to work collaboratively with other creative individuals
• Display your talents and discover your strengths
• Clarify educational and career objectives
• Learn about the details and process of obtaining professional work in theatre, film and television in this country

You’ll get to try your hand at acting, singing, dancing and comedy (stand-up and sketch). You’ll also learn about the business aspects of the performing arts industry, forming an ad hoc production company with your classmates to stage a show at Theatre Erindale. Throughout both terms, you’ll make field trips almost every week to see live concerts, plays and other professional performances.

Further Academic/Career Pathways:

About 60% of the full-time Performing Arts – Preparation full-time program’s graduates continue in more advanced performing arts programs, and another 10 to 15% go on to study technical production. Others go into writing or teaching, and a small number go straight into professional work, performing on cruise ships or in professional theatre companies.