Theatre & Performance Studies

The MA and PhD programs in Theatre & Performance Studies emphasize our collective interest in theatre, performance, and cultural politics
For us, this means teaching classes that explore performance both on stage and in everyday life in order to highlight the cultural, political, material and ideological dimensions of performance practices -  both past and present. Studying performances across a broad range of cultural contexts -in theatres, galleries, rituals, the media, the streets, the political arena, mass spectacles, interpersonal interactions etc.  - helps to capture the potential performance has to frame critically-nuanced responses to public events, and thus to model politically and ethically engaged forms of public life.
Our areas of program specialization that structure our curriculum and degree requirements reflect this focus. They include:

• Canadian Theatre and Cultural Politics
• Postcolonialism and Globalization
• Cultural Policy and Theatrical Economies
• Gender and Sexuality
• Embodiment and Cultural Memory
• Environment and Cultural Geography
• Critical Pedagogy and Community Engagement
• Intermediality and Technology

We encourage our students to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of theatre and performance by taking courses, and working closely with, supervisory faculty who come from diverse backgrounds in a range of disciplines including Theatre Studies, Performance Studies, Anthropology, Business, Cinema and Media Studies, Dance Studies, English, Environmental Studies, Humanities, Gender, Feminist, and Women? Studies, Nursing, Sociology and Visual Arts. Students also have ample opportunities to engage in performance practice through coursework, workshops, and department activities. Click here for more details.

We take seriously York? commitment to forging a just and sustainable world through critical and artistic inquiry and encourage our students to do the same.

Degrees Offered

MA

• You must have graduated from a recognized postsecondary institution holding an honours degree or equivalent. Some programs consider applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree and relevant work experience.
  
  Undergraduate degrees not designated as honours degrees may be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree if they contain a minimum of 120 credits (typically, a four-year program with full time enrolment) including the completion of a minimum of 6 credits at the fourth-year level at an accredited postsecondary institution.
  
  Three-year first cycle undergraduate degrees from institutions that meet the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration may be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree.
  
  If you completed your undergraduate or master’s studies outside Canada, you may need to complete additional courses to qualify for admission to a graduate program at York. Please contact the relevant program office for more information.
  
  If you have completed a four year undergraduate degree at an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology, you will need to contact Office of Admissions to have the requirement added to your record. This will allow your transcript to be uploaded to continue the admission process.


• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least a “B” or equivalent, is required. Most programs require at least a “B+” or equivalent. Your GPA is assessed over the last two years of undergraduate study (full time, or equivalent); or, if you have a master’s degree, we will use your highest level of education to calculate your GPA. Please be sure to check International Credential Equivalencies.
  
  Your GPA is a critical consideration is determining admissibility. Also, be sure to check the specific requirements of your program of choice. In rare cases, a program any choose to give priority to a candidates professional or creative accomplishments, or other relevant experiences, recommendations, portfolio, or test results.

If your first language is not English, you must show you have an acceptable level of English by completing a language proficiency test.

If you have completed at least one full year at an accredited university in a country where English is the official language of the institution, you may be exempt from this requirement.

1. Meet minimum admission requirements
2. Meet program-specific requirements
3. Know the application deadlines
4. Submit your application
5. Submit all required documentation
6. Check on Transfer Credit for Advanced Placement