AMPD Testimonials

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

AMPD gave me permission to take my internal world seriously. It was a place where I learned to experiment, to trust the odd or intuitive impulses in my work, and to develop a visual vocabulary that still anchors my practice today. The grounding in drawing and material thinking that I developed at York continues to shape how I build images, whether I’m working on a small aluminum panel or a 10,000-square-foot mural.

Rebecca Munce (BFA ‘13)

While studying at AMPD, my film professor Tereza Barta once told me my script was terrible, and it was maybe the best thing she could have done. It helped me realize how important criticism is if you ever want your work to get better.

Dusty Mancinelli (BFA ’07)

Screenwriter, Director and Producer. Several films shown at TIFF, including a feature film in 2025, with work also featured at Sundance, Berlinale and BFI London, earning recognition and awards worldwide.

The community that is here in the studios is supportive and they love my work and they always cheer me on. They inspire me - I found my community.

Revill Villanueva (BFA ’23)

Visual Arts – Studio 

I chose the York MDes program because I saw the benefits of doing a Master's degree within a larger research institution with a multitude of different resources and supports. What I really enjoy about the program is that it is largely self-directed. It is a playground where you are allowed to ruminate on your ideas, explore possibilities, and shape your academic experience based on your interests. Your instructors provide you guidance to put you on the right path but that path is largely constructed by you.

Rupsha M
MDes Candidate in the Graduate Program in Design

York’s Digital Media program allows me to use my love of coding for both creative as well as practical applications, and so much more. I have not only been able to learn and develop new programming skills, but I have also used them to create games, websites and algorithms which I am proud of, as well as many different kinds of art, with beautiful designs, sounds and messages that have been inspired by the wonderful nature of this program.

Robert J. (Fourth-year Digital Media student)

I was able to screen the rough cuts in class and get feedback from my peers and professors, and if it weren't for the criticism and advice I received, the film wouldn't be what it is.

Abraham D

Current student - Production

Theatre students and faculty members are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. I felt welcomed and encouraged each day as I navigated my way through first year. One thing that I found very interesting were the stagecraft labs (hand-sewing, machine-sewing, carpentry, lighting, scenic painting, sound editing). I truly enjoyed everything about first year.

Ava De Luca Mele

First-year Theatre student

Coming out of the Digital Media program gave me a unique advantage in being a front-end developer who has a creative background and is able to think a bit more creatively about development.

Daniel James (BA ’17)

Front-end Software Engineer – Helium Inc.