Theatre: Acting & Performance

At AMPD, I learned how essential it is to stay organized, manage my time and approach each project with a clear method for breaking down a script. Acting taught me the importance of storytelling and understanding an audience.

Asha James (BFA Theatre, ’18)
Dora Award winning actor

My time at York gave me the foundation I needed to step into professional design work. I was encouraged to develop my artistic voice and translate that into my designs, and many of the artists I met there remain collaborators to this day.

Michelle Tracey (BFA Theatre ’13)
Award-winning costume & set designer

York has given me incredible opportunities to explore a wide range of theatre practices. This year, I’m taking classes in directing, playwriting, performing, devising and theatre studies. I truly feel that AMPD is preparing me for a successful, fulfilling career as an employable artist. One of the most exciting experiences I've had was participating in the student-run playGround Festival.

Charlie VanStone

Third-year Theatre Student

What I valued most during my time in York’s undergraduate and graduate Theatre programs was the excellent mentorship I received from faculty who deeply shaped my path as a scholar, and the opportunity to engage with advanced courses in theatre and drama that challenged me to think critically and creatively about the field.

Benjamin Gillespie, PhD (BA ’09, MA ’10)

Assistant Professor of Theatre History and Performance Studies
Santa Clara University

What I valued most about my time at AMPD was the culture with its vibrant passion for theatre arts coupled with inclusivity––where different voices and perspectives were not just welcomed but celebrated. The training—equal parts theory and hands-on practice—pushed me to think deeper, grapple with time management, and trust my instincts. My professors encouraged me to see storytelling as both an artistic calling and a responsibility, reminding me of the power it can hold. That foundation has guided my career and my creative path, shaping the kind of work I strive to make: authentic, inclusive, and transformative.

Stafford Arima (BA ’92)

Artistic Director, Theatre Calgary

I was about to accept my offer to NYU Tisch's acting conservatory (my former dream school) when my guidance counselor suggested applying to York University. The flexibility and autonomy that York's Theatre program offers are unparalleled! I've had opportunities to learn about producing, screen acting, playwriting and devised theatre, truly becoming a multidisciplinary artist. The moment I came for an on-campus visit, I had an instinctual feeling that York was the right place for me. Four years later, I can confirm that it's true.

Natasha Advani Thangkhiew

Current Student, Theatre

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

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

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

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

The support of my peers and the guidance of my professors provided me with a strong foundation to step into the real world and on set with confidence. Through my time at AMPD, I gained valuable skills that I’m still building on, and it gave me a growth mindset to stay open and always be learning. My advice to future students is to be open to any pathway. You never know where each opportunity might lead.

Mikaela Cordero (Theatre BFA ‘24)

CineCares Electric Trainee, ‘Devil in Disguise’

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.

My degree in Theatre from York University taught me to think creatively and solve problems in unique ways. In theatre, no two shows are ever the same, just as every event I plan at Union Station brings new challenges and opportunities.

Alexa

Alumna (BFA '16), Theatre

As I stepped into my first class I was excited to started meeting a ton of international students like me, who traveled from all around the world for this program. I would’ve never imagined that I would be an artist who is developing a play he wrote in the heart of Toronto, but that’s exactly what I’ve been up to recently. And my friends and teachers, are some of my biggest supporters in this process.”

Tuna Gümeli 

Alumnus, Theatre

International Alumnus - Türkiye

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

[In] York University’s vibrant theatre program, I received an education that I literally draw on every day.

Rachel McAdams (BFA ’01) 

Actress, credits include The Notebook, Mean Girls, Sherlock Holmes

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

By far the best thing that I have done in the program was a part of the production practicum class. Through this, I was able to gain so much on-the-job experience and explore new interests, such as technical direction and lighting design. This is how I’ve developed close relationships to my mentors and made some of my closest friends.

Eric Koski-Harja

Fourth-year Theatre student

My experience in the Acting area has been incredible. The tremendous faculty members I have had the pleasure to learn from continue to foster environments in which students are inspired to develop their most authentic and artistic selves, both independently and collectively.

Isabella Cappiello

Third-year Theatre student

I was drawn to York’s variety and offering of hands-on courses. My education was experiential, engaging, and most importantly, it was self-driven. Various connections with alumni, professors and other students have since created monumental impacts on my career success. remain deeply inspired by the powerful artists that I met during my time here.

Jade Silman (BFA ’20)

My time at York taught me so much about working in the industry, not only as an actor, but as a well-rounded artist. Stepping into my professional career now, I often find myself going back to the basics I learned when starting new projects. Having the opportunity to work with and learn from professionals in their specialized fields allowed me to experience first-hand what goes into the creative process.

Aurora Matrix (BFA ’21)

Runner-up on Canada’s Drag Race

When I was looking at universities, York stood out to me because it was a more holistic program. I was interested in performance, but also in writing, creating my own work, applying theatre in educational contexts and learning about theatre from around the world. York cultivated in me a sense of curiosity about what theatre could be, beyond its traditions and conventions.

Rohan Kulkarni (BFA ’14)

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