Programs - UCSD

Students can choose to specialize in Acting or Digital Media & Sound Design.

In the mornings, acting-focused students will participate in a variety of drama-related classes that will help hone skills as multi-faceted performers. These immersive workshops are taught by Canada’s leading professionals, and offer you an in-depth foray into professional acting and performance.

Digital media and sound design-focused students will participate in state-of-the-art workshops that introduce fundamental music tools and techniques used in theatre, dance, and live performance. Methods for recording music, assembling, mixing, and performing dramatic audio scenes will be taught through hands-on workshops.

Acting Classes

High-energy, intensive, and immersive classes for drama students:

Hands-on, in-depth workshops from foundational acting, voice, and movement to specialized classes including improv, intro to Shakespeare, monologue work, stage fighting, and acting for the camera
Taught by Canada’s leading theatre professionals
The small class size ensures tailored instruction and personalized feedback
Students will examine text, first from a traditional stage acting point of view, then acting for the camera, and finally incorporating emerging technology in their performance
The program culminates in a final performance, where they will collaborate with the Digital Media students

Digital Media & Sound Design Classes

Dynamic, immersive workshops exploring sound design in performance:

Hands-on, in-depth workshops focused on the fundamental tools and techniques in music used in theatre, dance and live performance
Methods for recording, assembling, mixing and performing dramatic audio scenes and will be taught
Use your own instruments/voice in compositions or record sounds around you
Taught by Canada’s leading instructors from the Faculty of Music at U of T
Small group classes are designed to maximize the student’s experience
Students will work on small projects, including a city soundscapes sound design project, and will collaborate with the acting students to provide sound design for the final performance project

The BMO Lab is a transdisciplinary hub providing a home for collaborative creative research across the Arts and Sciences. Grounded in the Arts, it is driven by a special but non-exclusive focus on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Workshops in the BMO Lab:

Collaborative workshops for students from acting and digital media programs
Introduction of Interdisciplinary engagement with AI-related programs
Engage in interactive workshops led by the renowned artists and innovative researchers of the BMO Lab
Small class size ensures an individualized experience in the lab
Workshop experiences in the lab enhance the final performance

Embodied English Classes

In the afternoons, you will take part in Embodied English classes. This innovative and effective teaching technique builds confidence and fine-tunes the nuances of English for advanced speakers. Using acting techniques, pronunciation, and intonation, the classes help you embody the intricacies of the English language with natural full-like fluency.

*Fluent English speakers may opt for public speaking in lieu of the embodied English classes.

Creative, acting-focused English classes:

For intermediate to advanced speakers
Innovative approach that uses acting techniques for natural, full-fluency communication
Fine-tune language skills in a fun, exploratory setting

Co-curricular Activities and Outings

In the evenings, you will go on exciting excursions that explore Toronto’s vibrant arts and culture scene – from catching an award-winning play or musical to attending a talk with a professional director or actor! Weekends will include outings to established arts and music festivals, tours of studios, and more! You will walk away from this summer experience with an enriched knowledge of Canadian theatre and culture.

Explore Toronto, its theatre, and culture:

Excursions to explore Toronto’s vibrant arts and culture scene
Visits to major theatre productions

Whether you are coming from a different city, country, or continent, University College Summer Drama for International Students offers an environment of growth and exploration for high school students and/or students entering college or university. Part of the allure of this program is the international aspect of the participants, and high intermediate, advanced, and native speakers of English are encouraged to apply.

Our aim is to help develop confident, multi-faceted performers and for students to make lasting friendships with fellow students from around the world, all while enjoying the multicultural and enriching environment of the city of Toronto.

Sample Schedule

A typical day at UC Summer Drama:

7:30am ~ 9:00am	Breakfast
9:00am ~ 12:00am	Acting/Music Classes
12:00pm ~ 2:00pm	Lunch and Free Time
2:00pm ~ 4:00pm	Embodied English Class
4:30pm ~ 5:30pm	Talk with a Director
5:30pm ~ 6:30pm	Dinner
6:30pm ~ 9:30pm	Various Evening Activities