An intense and inspiring curriculum, demanding the most of students while respecting their individuality as artists.

Practical training: an average of 10 performances are put on each year, created by students from across all NTS professional programs in the English Section.
Personalized instruction: classes no bigger than 14 students, individual mentoring, and an overall ratio of two instructors per student.
Extraordinary networking opportunities: 99% of instructors are working artists at the top of their field.
Exceptional career placement rate: 97% of graduates get professional contracts in their field as soon as they complete their training.
State-of-the-art facilities designed specifically for theatre: 5 performance spaces, the Monument-National campus, spacious light-filled rehearsal spaces, a sound studio, a lighting lab, a professional fly system, professional set and costume workshops, and the largest bilingual theatre library in Canada.

Our Programs

Production Design and Technical Arts

Learn to develop innovative solutions, excel in technical and management skills, and create a rigorous and collaborative working environment.

Three years, full-time
8 students per year

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Set and Costume Design

Become a costume and set designer with the skills to work not only in theatre, but also in dance, opera, and the circus arts.

Three years, full-time
8 students per year

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Acting

Develop awareness of your own unique artistic process under the guidance of influential artists.

Three years, full-time
14 students per year (maximum)

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Directing

Develop your artistic practice and sharpen your skills as a collaborator and leader. Explore a diversity of professional practices in intensive workshops, scene studies and fully-realized productions.

Two years, full-time
2 students every two years

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Playwriting

Learn the art of writing for the theatre from Canada’s finest playmakers in the country’s only conservatory-style playwriting programs.

Three years, full-time
2 students per year

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French programs

The School also offers four professional training programs in French:

Création et production
Interprétation
Écriture dramatique
Mise en scène

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Admission and Auditions

Registration fee for 2025-2026: $95 CAD per program.
Please note that the registration fee is non-refundable.

Please have the following items readily available:

A recent digital photo; close-up of your face (in a PDF file, maximum 5 Mo)
Your method of payment: credit card (Visa, Mastercard), certified cheque or money order (personal cheques are not accepted)
For applicants to the Acting, Playwriting, Set and Costume Design, or Production Design & Technical Arts programs: 2 references (Teachers and/or Theatre Professionals who know you - names and contact info)
For applicants to the Production Design & Technical Arts program: your résumé

Can candidates apply to more than one program?

Yes, you can apply to more than one program. Candidates must:

Fill out a separate form for each program to which they apply
Include a $95 registration fee for each chosen program.

Instructions about the evaluation process will be sent starting FEBRUARY to all the candidates who have submitted a complete application form and paid the registration fee before the deadline.

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Evaluation

There are no grades or report cards given at the School.

The evaluation process is continuous and conducted with the collaboration of the professors and directors. These periodic evaluations give students the guidance, feedback and suggestions they need to improve and evolve their craft.

Students who have met all the requirements and completed their program of study will receive a certificate from the National Theatre School. NTS is accredited by Québec's Ministry of Education (Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur) which recognizes that its training programs are equivalent with that of a college program, but does not issue a collegiate studies diploma in theatre.

School Year

The school year is divided into two semesters.
The first semester usually begins around Labour Day and ends mid-December. The second semester runs from January until the beginning of May.
Classes are generally held from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Rehearsals, performances and classes are frequently held on Saturdays, Sundays, and in the evening.

Curriculum

NTS offers highly individualized training. As such, the curriculum is subject to change, following the latest development in technology, new artistic practices, and the needs of the unique group of artists making up each class.

Our training is always practical, supported by the 20 student shows created each year.

Instructors

Our students are taught and mentored by working professional artists who have their finger on the pulse of the artistic community.

They share a wealth of theatre experience from across Canada and around the world. NTS has an overall ratio of two instructors per student. Our group of teaching artists varies each year according to student needs.