Performance: Acting - BFA
Full-time format:
4 Year
Part-time format:
N/A
Requirements:
Grades-Plus
Grade range:
70-75%
Faculty:
The Creative School
Experiential learning:
Studio course(s) available
Is this degree for you?
Explore acting techniques for theatre and screen with training in voice, movement, stage combat and intimacy in Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)'s Performance: Acting degree program. Through live productions and studio classes you'll become a versatile and skilled performer, and you’ll study a variety of acting techniques for stage, screen, voice over and motion capture. Taught by members of industry, this rigorous training empowers you in the craft of acting.
By studying in Toronto, a North American hot spot for theatre and screen production, you'll make connections and start building your professional network from day one. Backed by over 50 years of preparing up-and-coming actors to become global industry leaders, you’ll be equipped to become your best self as an actor and graduate as a skilled performer.
The following is a preview of first-year courses based on the available current academic Undergraduate Calendar for this program.
Career possibilities
- Actor
- Director
- Playwright and screenwriter
- Casting director
- Multimedia artist
Employer possibilities
- Canadian Stage
- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
- National Arts Centre
- Stratford Festival
- Tarragon Theatre
Further education
- Arts
- Scriptwriting and Story Design (MFA)
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Location, applied
Study in the heart of the theatre and screen, production industries in Toronto, and benefit from industry collaborations, live productions and the chance to build your professional network.
Apply your studies
You’ll spend 75% of your class time in the studio or in rehearsals, building a strong set of performance skills including theatrical acting, performance creation, film acting, movement and more.
Explore the world and big ideas
Pursue an international exchange, travel intensives or the Global Campus Studio, an internationally-focused virtual course where you’ll collaborate with students from around the world.
This is a Grades-Plus program. Admission decisions for Grades-Plus programs are based on academic performance plus non-academic criteria such as interviews, auditions, essays and portfolios. Your ability to follow and adhere to the requirements is part of the assessment of your application.
Academic requirements for full-time, 4-year program
To be considered for admission, Ontario high school students must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- Completion of 6 Grade 12 U or M courses with a minimum overall average of 70%
- Completion of the following required Grade 12 U course with a minimum grade of 70%:
- English/anglais (ENG4U/EAE4U preferred)
An overall average of 70% is required for consideration. Due to competition, the average needed for admission can fluctuate each year (it depends on the number of applications received and the number of spaces available). The grade range at the top of this page represents the average required in previous years.
Academic admission requirements for all other applicants are available on the admission requirements page. If you haven’t been educated in Ontario, you may be considered with the equivalent of the Ontario requirements. TMU reserves the right to determine equivalency at its sole discretion.
Fall 2027 non-academic requirement due date:
February 1, 2027 or 10 business days from your application submission date, whichever comes later.
Submit a recent 8x10 photograph of yourself.
Please save the image as a .pdf file and upload it per these submission instructions.
Please list one private link (without a password) to a website (YouTube, Vimeo, personal site) that has your 2 monologue audition pieces and personal video. Please provide a link to your work in a .pdf file and upload this file (use these submission instructions). Please ensure the link works and doesn't expire. Your application won't be considered if the link you provided doesn't work.
In one video you are to include Speech A, Speech B, and your personal video (refer to the details below). Introduce each speech with your full name, pronouns if it's safe for you to do so, hometown, age and last school of attendance. Include the name of the play the speech is from, the writer of the speech and the name of the character you're playing (if applicable).
Video specifications:
- Background: If possible, choose a wide-open space that you can move around in for your speech. Some people find a neutral background useful.
- Lighting: Try to ensure that your face is well-lit with no stark contrast and dark shadows.
- Sound: Please check your digital recording to make sure that you can be heard.
- Size of shot (please refrain from using close-up shots):
- Speech A: Use a full shot for your poetic speech.
- Speech B: Use a full or medium shot for your contemporary speech.
- Length: Your video should be no longer than 5 minutes. The panel may stop watching if your recording exceeds this time.
- Movement: We encourage you to use the full capacity of your body and to move freely within the architecture of your space when making your digital recordings.
Speech A – Poetic monologue (2 minutes maximum)
The audition piece should be in poetic form using heightened language. This is a piece in which words are chosen for their sound and suggestive power as opposed to a naturalistic speech. While it need not be originally written in English, we ask that you perform an English translation for your poetic monologue. There's no boundary in time period, culture or form (as long as it’s poetic) in which you choose this speech from. For example, Shakespeare, Tang Zianzu, Kae Tempest, Aleshea Harris, Ocean Vuong, The Mahabharata, Suzan-Lori Parks, Matthew Mackenzie and Joseph A. Dandurand are all appropriate choices.
Speech B – Contemporary monologue (2 minutes maximum)
The contemporary piece should provide a clear contrast to your poetic piece. It ideally uses naturalistic speech and was written after 1960.
Personal video (one minute maximum)
A one-minute video about something (other than acting) that you are especially passionate about. Consider why it's important to you and how it brings you joy. Record a snippet of a song you love, a rant about something you're passionate about, share a painting you made, a tour of your kitchen - anything that will better help us know you!
Select applicants will receive an invitation (by email) to participate in a callback audition with other applicants to the program. Callbacks will take place between late February and April and only those selected will receive an email invitation. The callback will occur on campus.
The callback includes a day of classes to give you a sense of what attending Performance: Acting at TMU might be like. Be prepared to stay for the entire day. Please dress in athletic wear for movement. Critical thought, in class writing (including journaling) and text analysis are important components of our curriculum. Be prepared to move, play, think, and write (with pen/pencil and paper). Classes are subject to change but may include voice, movement, lecture and writing components, alongside an audition and/or scene study class. No cellphones, computers, laptops, headphones or watches will be permitted during any class.
In addition to repeating Speech B, we may also ask for a new speech, Speech A and/or for you to memorize a short scene. There will also be classes/workshops for candidates to participate in, as well as a tour of the campus. Further details will be provided in the invitation email.
The callback may include opportunities to get to know other applicants, faculty and students currently in the program. You may work individually, in pairs, in groups and as an ensemble for performance creation, group discussions and embodied sequences. The callback will give you an opportunity to better understand our school and what to expect from our training.
Please note: you may be requested to attend a short interview after your callback (from 6-8 p.m.). Applicants will be notified of their requirement to attend an interview at the end of their callback day.
Zoom or Google Meet option
For those who live out-of-province, arrangements can be made to attend an online callback audition on Google Meet or Zoom. Further details will be provided in the callback invitation email.
The non-academic requirements assessment fee is $50 CAD and must be paid in order for your submission to be reviewed. Here’s how to pay:
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Access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account (instructions to access the portal can be found below under Submission Instructions).
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Click on the button to link to the eForms Centre.
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Next, click on the eForms Center tile.
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Then click on the Non-Academic Fee Form link.
If you're applying for readmission or reinstatement, you may not be required to submit non-academic requirements. You must inform Undergraduate Admissions of your intentions.
Contact the ServiceHub at 416-979-5036 and ask to speak with the admissions officer by February 1, 2027, or 10 business days from your application submission date (whichever comes later).
You're required to submit all components of your non-academic requirements via the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal. Due to the volume of applications received and our system performance, we strongly encourage you to submit your documents well in advance of the noted deadlines.
Here’s how to access your ChooseTMU Applicant Portal account:
- Get your TMU Student Number in the email acknowledgement of your application
- Activate your TMU Online Identity. Fill in the Activation Form on the Accounts website. When asked for your Student/Applicant ID, enter your 9-digit TMU Student Number. Keep a record of your user name and password
- 24 hours after activating your TMU Online Identity, visit the ChooseTMU Applicant Portal
If you’re applying for Advanced Standing, you’ll be required to submit your transcripts and complete all non-academic requirements as listed above.
Tuition and fees range 2026-2027
For detailed fees info, visit tuition and fees by program and costs to expect.
Full-time format:
Ontario: $7,466 - $8,018
Out-of-province: $9,266 - $9,851
International: $38,733 - $39,209
Over $20M across all levels of study
We award more than $20M in awards, scholarships and bursaries throughout all years of study.
Find scholarships for you.
Explore financial assistance
Learn more about government financial aid programs like OSAP, out-of-province student loans and U.S. student loans.
Apply for financial assistance.
“One of my biggest takeaways from this program has been discovering what acting training actually entails — coming in straight from high school, I had absolutely no idea what to expect, and, even now, I'm constantly challenging my own perspective on the question: What is acting training?”
- Joe Drinkwalter, Performance: Acting, Class of 2025
75%
Class time spent in studio or rehearsals
Creativity is the catalyst for building the future — driving insights, inspiring learning and expanding what’s possible. At The Creative School at TMU, creativity is at the heart of every experience. With unique programs, global partnerships and practical experience in the heart of Toronto, you’ll evolve your craft. You’ll graduate ready for an impactful, fulfilling career.
The Creative School degree programs
Performance alum stars in Prime series Davey & Jonesie’s Locker
After graduating from the Performance: Acting program, Jaelynn Thora Brooks made it her goal to rise to stardom and her most recent endeavour is sure to get her one step closer to that goal: co-starring in Amazon Prime’s comedy series, Davey & Jonesie’s Locker. The show follows the adventures of 2 best friends who stumble upon a multi-dimensional portal in their high school locker.
Read more: Performance alum stars in new Prime series Davey & Jonesie’s Locker
Your next steps
Disclaimer:
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy on this site, in the event of a discrepancy, TMU's current Undergraduate Calendar is the official reference.