The School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD)

When looking at Canadian university Theatre programs, I was most impressed by York’s. There was something about the structure of the program, the choices to specialize, and of course, access to Toronto - a lively theatre city.  My program encouraged me to get to know myself as a person as well as an actor/performer/English Lit nerd. Since graduating from York, I’ve been working at Mass Culture, where I do my part to support a thriving research infrastructure for the Canadian arts sector.”

Kathryn Geersema

Alumna, Theatre

International Alumna - Singapore

As a proud graduate of York University’s Design Program, I am deeply appreciative of the exceptional calibre of professors and coursework that have prepared me for a professional career in design. Transitioning from corporate roles at Samsung and Toshiba Canada to the non-profit sector at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, and presently, within the educational sector at York U, the design school has prepared me to seamlessly navigate across diverse professional environments.

Nesha Kumana

Marketing and Design Officer, AMPD, York University

Howard Barish (BFA ’83)

President/Executive Producer - Kandoo Films, an Oscar nominated, Emmy award-winning entertainment company

At AMPD, I was given so many opportunities to try all aspects of theatre—whether it was costume design, hanging lights, writing, or acting. Working on so many shows forces you to respect the people around you and build something together that you never could have created on your own.

David Hein (BFA Theatre ’97)

Tony-nominated writer, composer, and lyricist of Come From Away and Waking Ned Devine on Broadway

My time in York University's CMA program at AMPD was foundational to the way I work and collaborate today. I was drawn to the program because of its hands-on approach and the opportunity to explore a variety of paths within the film and media industry. From day one, I was surrounded by like-minded creatives who challenged and inspired me. One of the things I valued most was the chance to try on many different hats: writing for TV, directing fiction, cinematography, picture editing. Today, I approach filmmaking from a place of community building, and it's this program that taught me how to build and maintain strong professional relationships, something the film industry is built on. I’m especially grateful for the time and feedback my professors gave me on my work. Their encouragement allowed me the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them, which was crucial to my development.

Eric Bizzarri (BFA '17)

Co-Founder and CEO, Future of Film Showcase

I had a great experience during my time at AMPD and York University. I benefited greatly from the exposure to various texts and readings and the rich exchanges and critical discourse I engaged in with my peers and professors in the MFA program and wider department. Courses like Methods in Practice-Based Research and the Goldfarb Summer Institute (about engaging photography and archives), and the guidance I received while working on my thesis project helped me to reflect more deeply about my own practice and develop more rigour in my form-making.

Abraham O
Visual Arts Graduate (MFA 2022)

Being a dance student at York University has given me countless opportunities to both train, perform, and create at an advanced pre-professional level. As a second year student in the Choreography and Performance stream, I already have been able to perform in nearly 6 shows as well as create and train within my normal school hours. The teachers and fellow students in the dance program all foster individual expression as well as share the common goal of furthering ourselves as artists, no matter which area of the dance world peaks your interest, which is unlike any other program in the province. 

Hanna T

Third-year Dance Student 

York University’s design program introduced me to design in all its forms—across industries and influential movements—while giving me the tools to hone my craft. It taught me to see design’s influence everywhere, from the smallest details to the largest cultural shifts. This program didn’t just shape my career—it sparked a love for design that continues to inspire me.

Angela Li (BDes ’17)

Product Designer at Dropbox, Airbnb, Facebook