Skills you’ll develop
While studying Design and Production for Theatre, you’ll develop important skills and practical experience while completing scholarly studies in theatre history and theory.
These skills may include:
- Examining sets, costumes, lighting, and sound design while collaborating on Theatre at UBC productions
- Engaging an audience through creative and innovative design elements showing attention to colour, space, and line
- Constructing sets and costumes
- Managing stage and production elements of student projects including design, craftsmanship, technical direction, art direction, and others
- Teamwork and collaboration with faculty, guest artists, professional staff, and students
- Receiving constructive feedback, reflecting, and implementing new ideas in order to elevate productions
- Attending to detail, managing time, and demonstrating organization throughout the design, planning, and implementation of projects
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary across a range of fields including theatre, film, television, radio, arts and cultural organizations, tourism, event management, marketing, public relations, education, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.
Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.
- Acting teacher
- Actor
- Art director
- Artistic director
- Camera operator
- Casting director
- Costume designer
- Cutter
- Director
- Draftsperson
- Drama teacher
- Drama therapist
- Events coordinator
- Film location manager
- Lighting designer
- Lighting technician
- Playwright
- Producer
- Production assistant
- Production designer
- Rigger
- Scenic artist
- Script writer
- Set designer
- Set dresser
- Sound designer
- Sound technician
- Stage carpenter
- Stage electrician
- Stage manager
- Technical director
- Theatre critic
- Theatre director
- Tour manager
- Wardrobe supervisor
- Writer
Make the most of your program
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help you understand your values and interests.
- UBC theatre and film clubs
Meet other UBC students through events and programs. - Departmental performances and events
Attend UBC Theatre and Film productions and network with students, faculty, and community members. - Funding and awards
Discover scholarship opportunities for Design and Production students. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - Theatre Design and Production co-op success stories
Learn about the experiences of past and present co-op students from your program and others. - Funding and awards
Find scholarship opportunities for Design and Production students. - Cinephile, UBC’s Film Journal
Submit research papers, book reviews, and reports that engage and debate issues within film, media, and cultural studies. - Theatre and Film alumni
Reach out to UBC graduates for informational interviews to learn about their experiences and seek out advice. - Arts funding opportunities
Apply for grants from professional associations, corporations, non-profits, and government organizations. - BC Alliance for Arts and Culture job board
Search for job opportunities in BC across a variety of fields in the arts. - Vancouver theatres
Find volunteer and job opportunities at theatre venues and companies, and festivals around the Lower Mainland. - National Film Board of Canada
Browse opportunities to direct or co-produce a documentary, animation, or interactive project.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- Actsafe Safety Association
- Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists
- Arts BC
- Associated Designers of Canada
- Association of Canadian Film Craftspeople, Local 2020
- Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
- BC Alliance for Arts and Culture
- BC Touring Council
- British Columbia Arts Council
- Canada Council for the Arts
- Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology
- Canadian Media Producers Association
- Canadian Public Relations Society
- Community Arts Council of Vancouver
- Creative BC
- Directors Guild of Canada
- Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 118
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 891
- Motion Picture Association, Canada
- Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC
- National Film Board of Canada
- National Screen Institute
- Playwrights Theatre Centre
- Professional Association of Canadian Theatres
- REEL Canada
- Telefilm Canada
- Theatre BC
- Union of BC Performers
- Women in Film and Television Vancouver
- WorkInCulture
- Writers Guild of Canada
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Theatre Design and Production graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From your Arts degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Arts degree.