Our Programs

Founded in 1998, the Canadian College of Performing Arts offers three unique conservatory style post-secondary training programs, where emerging artists receive intensified skill-based alternatives to academically oriented university programs.

Classes are rigorous and offered at the highest professional standards from expert instructors, mentors and guest artists. In addition to classes, workshops and rehearsals, students must complete Professional Development Credits to expand their experience beyond the classroom.

All our programs offer dynamic performance opportunities, professional collaborations, and a higher number of program hours compared to our competitors.

Overview
What Makes This Program Unique?
Curriculum

Our two-year conservatory style program is designed to train students in acting, voice and dance. The technical training is complemented by maximized performance opportunities and career management courses, both starting in the first term, with direct links to opportunities in the theatre, recording and film industries.

This career requires the discipline to continually refine your personal craft while simultaneously maintaining accountability to others during a production or project. There is an evolving need for artists to manage their career with flexibility, strategy, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Our students develop a robust work ethic and a diversified skillset that serve will them in all their future endeavours.

Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  • Maintain the physical conditioning necessary to withstand the rigors required in rehearsal and performance
  • Execute the variety of skills which are most beneficial to a long and successful career
  • Understand the business of performing arts, i.e. agents, unions, taxes, contracts, resumes
  • Understand and possess the skills required to garner professional contracts
  • Achieve their goals and make the best choices for their continued studies and career
  • Execute the entrepreneurial skills required by an ever evolving industry
  • Intense exposure to acting, voice and dance
  • Individualized curriculums
  • Private coaching and tutorials
  • Instruction in career management
  • Faculty, staff, and guest artists are working professionals
  • High number of teaching and rehearsal hours
  • Less than 3 to 1 student/faculty ratio
  • Varied performance opportunities
  • Collaborations with professional companies
  • Creation and new work opportunities
  • Creative mentorships in writing, directing, choreography, production, design and more

Acting, voice and dance placements occur during the first week to provide you with the classes that challenge you alongside students who are at the same level in their development.

Acting

  • Scene Study
  • Improv – Storytelling
  • Text Analysis
  • Modern & Classical Western Theatre
  • Speech Technique
  • Physical Theatre
  • Stage Combat
  • Transition to Screen
  • Theatre History (Year I only)
  • Monologues (Year II only)
  • ARC – Devised Theatre/Creative Development (Year II only)

 

Dance

  • Ballet
  • Contemporary/Jazz
  • Musical Theatre Styles
  • Tap

 

Voice

  • Private Voice
  • Vocal Ensemble
  • Music Theory/Sight Singing
  • Connections
  • Fundamental Techniques for Singers (Year I only)
  • Voice Master Classes

 

Career Management

Creative Mentorship (Year II only)

Performance Opportunities

  • Concert of Remembrance
  • Local Partnerships
  • Year End Musical
  • Cabarets (Year II only)
  • Year II Play (Year II only)
Overview
What Makes This Program Unique?
Curriculum

This program is designed for working professionals or those that have completed a relevant post-secondary program and want a one year intensive program tailored to their experience and needs.

The certificate program offers 31 weeks of intensive training in acting, singing, dance, and career management, customized for each student according to their previous experience and skill level. Applicants to this program require a special application, including references from industry professionals and/or successful completion of a post-secondary qualification in a related field.

The program offers advanced instruction in the performing arts (acting, singing, dancing) and a focus on career development with direct links to opportunities in the theatre, recording and film industries.

Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  • Maintain the physical conditioning necessary to withstand the rigors required in rehearsal and performance
  • Execute the variety of skills which are most beneficial to a long and successful career
  • Understand the business of performing arts, i.e. agents, unions, taxes, contracts, resumes
  • Understand and possess the skills required to garner professional contracts
  • Achieve their goals and make the best choices for their continued studies and career
  • Execute the entrepreneurial skills required by an ever evolving industry
  • Intense and individualized curriculum for the well-rounded performer
  • Private coaching and tutorials
  • Instruction in career management
  • Faculty, staff, and guest artists are working professionals
  • High number of teaching and rehearsal hours
  • Less than 3 to 1 student/faculty ratio
  • Varied performance opportunities
  • Collaborations with professional companies
  • Creation and new work opportunities
  • Creative mentorships in writing, directing, choreography, production, design and more
  • Mentorships & experience in technical elements (stage management, sound, lighting, set, and more)

Acting, voice and dance placements occur during the first week to provide you with the classes that challenge you alongside students who are at the same level in their development.

Acting

  • Scene Study
  • Improv – Storytelling
  • Text Analysis
  • Modern & Classical Western Theatre
  • Monologues
  • Speech Technique
  • Physical Theatre
  • ARC – Devised Theatre/Creative Development
  • Stage Combat
  • Transition to Screen
  • Theatre History

 

Dance

  • Ballet
  • Contemporary/Jazz
  • Musical Theatre Styles
  • Tap

 

Voice

  • Private Voice
  • Vocal Ensemble
  • Music Theory/Sight Singing
  • Connections
  • Fundamental Techniques for Singers
  • Voice Master Classes

 

Career Management

Creative Mentorship

Performance Opportunities

  • Cabarets
  • Concert of Remembrance
  • Local Partnerships
  • Year II Play
  • Year End Musical

Long hours of the most challenging, fulfilling, satisfying work on your craft that I’ve ever experienced.

Natalie GlumCampbell River, BC
Overview
What Makes This Program Unique?
Curriculum
In this 21-week intensive program, students develop and mount three separate productions as part of a theatrical collective. Students continue in dance classes, private and group voice studies, acting, and career management workshops, while being mentored by working professionals in all areas of production and design. This program is open to graduates of the Performing Arts Diploma and Performing Arts Certificate programs, with auditions occurring in early Spring.
 
The Applied Performing Arts Diploma program offers an opportunity to expand students’ repertoire. The cohort, referred to as the ‘Company C’ Studio Ensemble, will gain a full grasp of a collaborative, ensemble environment through hands-on rehearsal, production, and performance experience
 
Ensemble members will take one or two roles per production onstage and backstage. Mentorships will be assigned to fit the program, the guest director’s vision, and to meet production needs for each individual show.
 
Upon completion of this program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Develop and create stage productions
  • Further develop and sustain a role in a play or a musical
  • Collaborate with other actors in the development of a character
  • Contribute fully in all creative, study, rehearsal, technical and performance aspects of the productions
  • Work at the standards required by professional directors and Actor’s Equity
  • Work with fiscal and budgetary aspects of a production (i.e. promotions & fund-raising)
  • Develop new skills in areas such as the technical and administrative positions that are necessary for a successful theatre production.
  • Maintain their performing arts skills in a professional work setting
  • Gain knowledge of all aspects of production and performance through three productions.
  • Opportunity to build business acumen and a broader portfolio.
  • One-on-one mentorship from professional artists and staff.
  • Work with guest directors with hiring power in the industry.
  • Continued advancement of performing arts skills.
  • Collaborations with local designers, musicians, and more.
  • Mentorships & experience in technical elements (stage management, sound, lighting, set, and more)
  • Ensemble ownership of all aspects of a production.

The Applied Performing Arts Diploma is an intensive and malleable program that offers workshops, weekly dance classes, and one-on-one mentorships in tandem with rehearsal and production schedules.
Workshops change year-to-year, and the program directors ensure the high standards of the program are maintained annually.

Administrative / Academic Workshops

Production / Theatre Administration Workshops

Acting Workshops

  • Auditioning
  • Improv
  • Monologues
  • Screen Acting
  • Text Analysis / Scene Study
  • Voice Intensive

 

Dance

  • Ballet
  • Contemporary/Jazz
  • Company Classes

 

Individual Voice Training & Masterclasses

Production Mentorships

Sound Design, Lighting Design, Set Design, Wardrobe Design, Props, Arts Administration, Finance, Marketing, Box Office, Choreography, and Directing

Career Management Workshops

Three Stage Productions (two plays and one musical)

Performance Opportunities

  • Cabarets
  • Local Artistic Partnerships

*This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.

Numerous in-house performance sharings throughout the diploma offer you the opportunity to apply techniques and test out new material in a safe performance environment as emerging actors, dancers, and singers.

Public performance activities such as a dedicated Year 2 play project, the Festival of New Works, and the yearly Musical provide opportunities for you to rehearse and study with prominent professional directors, music directors, and choreographers, as well as explore production skills.

In addition to full scale productions, you will have the opportunity to receive one to one guidance on a proposed creative project through a professional mentorship initiative – something which sets CCPA apart from other training programs. These mentorships culminate in the public New Works Festival.

Experiential learning that occurs over two years of training is a strong feature at CCPA, especially if you are seeking a conservatory-style performing arts curriculum. All faculty at CCPA are passionate practitioners and creative artists working in the industry who keep your training practice current with emerging industry trends.

View Photo Credits

in-class photography, 2019 | photo credit Peter Pokorny
Yerma, 2020 | director Mercedes Bátiz-Benét | photo credit Peter Pokorny
If/Then, 2021 | director Sara-Jeanne Hosie | photo credit Peter Pokorny
Paradise Lost, 2020 | facilitator Yvette Nolan | photo credit Peter Pokorny