AMPD Testimonials
Wondering what it's like to study at York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design? Our students and alumni share their inspiring stories, career wins and how AMPD shaped their path across film, theatre, media, art, design and other creative fields. Get a glimpse of the experiences that could await you!
- All AMPD Testimonials
- Production
- Screenwriting
- Cinema & Media Arts
- Media Arts
- Integrative Art
- Digital Media
- Design
- Music
- Theatre
- Dance
- Visual Art & Art History
- Alumni
- International Students

Oliver B
One of my favourite things about the Screenwriting program is that you can connect with real filmmakers, people who are actually out there and doing what you want to do, so you can watch things that they have made, and hear directly from them about their process; it is just really helpful to know what it takes to make it, and to develop your own stories.
Oliver B
Current student - Screenwriting

Caitlin Lewis
The Design program provided me with several opportunities to practice professionally and prepare me for my graphic design career. These opportunities span from doing a co-op in my third year, learning about the business of design in Design Management, participating in hackathons with my classmates and more.
Caitlin Lewis
Graphic Designer, Division of Students, York University
Victoria Austin
I chose to come to AMPD because York offers the only university-level screenwriting program in the entire country. The networking opportunities here, combined with being located in Toronto—the hub of Canada's film industry—definitely played a key role in my decision to join this program.
Victoria Austin
Second-year Screenwriting Student

Debra Brown
My time at York was actually amazing. I never put myself in a box and nor did York University and it opened up so many doors. York has everything to do with my success now.
Debra Brown (BFA ’78)
Principal Choreographer, Cirque du Soleil

William Kerr
My first-year experience as a theatre and performance student was transformational. Sure, I had heard of York’s reputation as one of the best theatre schools around, though I was not aware of how comprehensive it was, from hands-on tech and design to a deeper understanding of theatre and performance. What amazed me was the collaborative nature, working with peers in a spontaneous whirlwind of creativity. It was electric and eclectic.
William Kerr
First-year Theatre Student

Kathryn Geersema
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
Karina M
AMPD has really helped me grow as both a painter and an artist. I’ve learned so much from professors who are actively working in the field, so they’re up-to-date with what’s happening in the industry. I feel really prepared to create my portfolio and apply for future job opportunities.
Karina M
Fourth-year student, Visual Arts - Art History (BA)

Arun Srinivasan
The program at York exposed us to everything, from sets to costumes and lighting, of course, which is what I knew I would concentrate on.
Arun Srinivasan (BFA Theatre ‘94)
Recipient of 10 Dora Mavor Moore nominations for his work in dance, theatre and opera. Read more in The York University Magazine.
Kristina Paulovits
Something that I love about our program is how close we all are. Not only with our peers, but also with all our professors and even our musicians. This program offers so many opportunities and shows you that there are so many different career options within dance, some that I didn't know were possible.
Kristina Paulovits
Fourth-Year Dance Student