The admissions period for Fall 2026 entry to all programs (Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Production Design & Technical Arts and Set & Costume Design) has ended.
The admissions period for Fall 2027 entry to all programs* will be from October 1, 2026-January 31, 2027.
*The Directing program admits students every two years. The next admission period for Directing will open on October 1, 2027.
Before you get started, make sure you have at hand:
*For the Acting, Production Design and Technical Arts, Playwriting and Set and Costume Design programs only.
** For the Production Design and Technical Arts and Directing programs only.
Following your initial application for admissions, the evaluation process for each program begins.
After the initial application period for all programs closes (January 31), NTS will contact you by email, informing you of the next steps to take in the evaluation process of your application for the program(s) you have chosen.
The evaluation process varies by program. See Audition/evaluation by program below for more information. You can look at this at any time in order to know what the next steps will be. NTS will send you specific instructions on these next steps after January 31.
This evaluation and selection process runs from February to May.
Each candidate to the Production Design and Technical Arts program is contacted for an interview. Following the interview, all candidates are required to write a production concept for the mounting of a specific play chosen by the School. Candidates have one month after the interview to prepare this project for evalution and selection for the program.
Candidates to the Set and Costume Design program have one month to complete an artistic project, for which they will receive instructions after January 31. Following this step, selected candidates are invited to an interview, during which they will be asked to present a portfolio of recent art or theatrical work.
Applicants to the Acting program must audition.
For the first audition, candidates are asked to prepare two short monologues, not exceeding two minutes each. One monologue must come from a list of classical repertory provided by the school. The other must be a modern theatre monologue of the candidate’s choice.
After the initial round of auditions, a number of candidates are then selected for a multi-day callback workshop at NTS in May. Attendance in person at the callback workshop is obligatory. The final selection of the Acting cohort will follow this workshop.
Initial auditions happen across Canada in late February and early March. On the Initial Application for Admisssions form, Acting candidates will be asked to select the city in which they plan to audition.
The Directing Program accepts applications every two years.
In your initial application, you must attach your resume and a letter of intent that answers the following questions:
Why do you want to study directing at the National Theater School of Canada?
What experience or training do you have in theater and the art of directing?
Once your complete application has been received, the Registrar will send you information about the next steps in the selection process for Directing.
Every Playwriting application must be accompanied by two plays of at least 20 pages each, a letter of intent, and a resume.
All of these documents should be attached to the Initial Admissions Application, due January 31.
Several candidates will be invited to an interview before the final selection is made.
You can apply to more than one program!
For multiple applications, you must complete an application form for each program, and pay the fees (there is a 50% discount for additional applications). Make sure you look at the different application and evaluation procedures for each program.
The English programs differ from the French programs. Click on “Français” at the top of the page to learn about the French programs of study offered at the ÉNT.
Tuition and other fees are set annually and may be subject to change throughout your studies.
*These amounts are provided for reference only and are provisional.
*These amounts are provided for reference only and are provisional.
Money should never be an obstacle to talent.
NTS can help you finance your studies.
Yes. Candidates must be at least 18 years old as of December 31 of the year of entry at NTS (i.e. you turn 18 before December 31st, 2025).
Yes, absolutely. Candidates must then:
No. All courses are obligatory; students must complete their entire program of study regardless of their chosen discipline or previous studies. The School does not grant course equivalencies, exemptions or substitutions. Only one status is recognized, that of full-time student.
No. There are no academic prerequisites for any of NTS’s programs. Regardless of your level of experience, if you’re passionate about theatre and motivated to take on an intense three-year training program, it’s worth applying!
The selection process for all programs runs from February to May. At each stage of the process, candidates are notified in advance of the date and location of their interview or audition, and of the status of their application.
The final results will be officially announced in May.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions
CONTACT OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM
admission@ent-nts.ca
514-842-7954, ext. 163
