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

I love my program. It’s been amazing to explore so many different mediums and ways of creating. The community at AMPD is so friendly and creative, you just love being here. If you don’t want to be limited to one medium and you have ideas you want to bring to life, this is the place to do it. Whether you’re just starting out or already experienced, you’ll learn so much and have an amazing time.

Athena Philippou

Fourth-year Media Arts Student

At AMPD, I used the skills I learned in acting class and beyond to explore storytelling in a way that truly suited me. I got to know playwrights of the "canon," future playwrights, ones unappreciated in their time, and ones I felt deeply connected to, and slowly realized I am completely unique. I started writing the kind of plays I wanted to see on stage, the plays I wished existed for me to perform and pull monologues from, and I put them up at playGround. I wrote two short plays during my time at York, led my own creative spaces, and built new ones that gave me hope for a better future and a new way of making theatre. I am so grateful for the connections York brought me.

Mercedes Isaza Clunie (BFA ’23)

Founder and Creative Director, First Born Theatre

From amazing professors to the fellow classmates who I continue to collaborate with to this day, my experience and friendships at York have been very important in my journey.

Yong Zong (MFA ’18)

Editor and Filmmaker, with work featured at TIFF in 2025

What I enjoy most about the screenwriting program is how hands-on it is. They really give us time to start with an idea and develop it. Through my courses, I even get to go from script to screen myself. It's cool to have both the script and the film in my hands.

Daniela Corallo

Second-year Screenwriting Student

As an undergraduate, I was able to watch films—and eventually tried my hand at making them. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was life changing. Then, as a graduate student, I was given the space to think more deeply about media arts and to make my film The Urge to Run a Lap. AMPD influenced how I think about filmmaking, and how to see images, myself and others.

Lesley Loksi Chan (BFA ‘08, MFA ‘18)

Canadian Artist and Filmmaker

York changed everything. My studies at AMPD reignited my curiosity, turning my confusion into exploration. The mentorship I received helped mend the invisible gap between me and my potential. My professors showed me that I didn’t need to be a virtuoso pianist to have a voice in music. I could shape my own path, create my own role and build a life in music that felt authentic to me.

Alokananda Dasgupta (BFA Music ’09)

Award-Winning Film Composer (Netflix, Amazon Prime)

Read our feature on Alokananda’s journey.

I have nothing but amazing memories of my time at York. I met so many fantastic professors who mentored me and helped guide my career. They introduced me to people in the business who have truly supported me throughout my journey.

Natalie Bartello (BFA Theatre ‘04)

Partner and Producer at Yonge Street Theatricals

Tony, Olivier, and Dora Award–winner, Broadway League member and Tony voter

I think my favourite thing about the Theatre program is how intimate it is and how you get to know every single person. It feels very welcoming and engaging. I'm learning skills that I will definitely be using.

Sean French

Second-year Theatre student