Two new programs. Two new training paths. Together, they form a continuous path, from skilled practitioner to artists and leaders.

Begin foundational training or enter at an advanced level to specialize in design or management.

PDTA is evolving into two distinct but complementary programs

Ready to apply? Applications open October 30, 2026. Stay tuned for more details!

Technical Arts: foundational training in the craft of theatre

Technical Arts introduces students to lighting, sound, projection, stage management, scenic carpentry and general stagecraft, preparing them to become reliable, safe, and genuinely productive members of any team. Through hands-on learning and work on productions in multiple venues, from pre-production to strike, graduates leave as competent, curious theatre practitioners, ready to work professionally across multiple departments or to pursue their studies in Production/Design.

^{2 years of training}

Production/Design: an advanced course of study for those ready to design, lead, and find their own voice.

Production/Design offers specialization in one of six disciplines: Lighting Design, Sound Design, Projection Design, Stage Management, Technical Direction, or Production Management. Students learn to create and manage independently, with a distinct artistic identity. Combining specialist instruction, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and multiple opportunities on both large- and small-scale productions, the program shapes confident, self-directed artists prepared to lead a department, initiate their own designs, and build a sustainable career in theatre.

^{2 years of training}

Choose Technical Arts if you are:

Starting out, and you want to learn the technical crafts of theatre from the ground up
Curious about the whole of theatre – not just one role – and how a production gets made
Drawn to hands-on work: lighting, sound, projection, stage management, set construction and stagecraft
Ready to learn working on full productions, with professional expectations from day one
Eager to work on the production side of theatre and learn to become reliable, safe, and efficient in a team

Choose Production/Design if you are:

A graduate of a theatre program with an interest in one of the six disciplines offered, who understands that further training is required in order to work at a higher level
Already experienced in other areas of the arts, through your work or studies, and want to expand your training to include theatre design or management
Ready to stop assisting and start creating: to design or manage independently
Motivated to lead a department, initiate your own projects, and work as a creative equal to directors and other artists
Serious about building a sustainable career in theatre

From Technical Arts to Production/Design

There is an opportunity for the two programs to connect into one path. Once you complete the Technical Arts program you can request to apply to the Production/Design program to continue into the advanced years.

WHAT MAKES THESE PROGRAMS UNIQUE

Small classes that foster autonomy and facilitate personalized learning and growth, while emphasizing the collaboration necessary in production
One-on-one coaching in both the Production/Design and Technical Arts programs.
Advanced training unlike any other theatre production program in the country
Working in five different spaces across two campuses, from intimate, flexible black box theatres to a unique, professional 800-seat proscenium stage theatre
Hands-on, practical training underpinned by the production of 5 student shows each year
Prominent working artists hired as teachers and coaches who form the foundation of a network of professional contacts and a connection to current theatre practices

Curriculum & Teaching Artists

Due to changes in the program, the Curriculum section will be updated soon.

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 10 shows created each year.

Production/Design and Technical Arts students currently work with the following software:

CAD: Vectorworks, AutoCAD
VIDEO: Isadora, Qlab 5, Adobe CS6, Logic Pro
SOUND: Qlab 5, Logic Ableton Live, Native Instruments
LIGHTING: Lightwright, EOS programming

Our students are taught and mentored by working professional artists, sharing a wealth of theatre experience from across Canada and around the world. NTS has an overall ratio of two instructors per student. Teaching artists and curriculum vary from year to year.

⇀ CURRICULUM
⇀ TEACHING ARTISTS

See students in action

Student Tiffany Ledesma (Production Design and Technical Arts, Toronto, ON) hanging light in the Ludger-Duvernay Theatre during tech week for a student show.

Student MacKenzie Poole, Stage Manager for the student show 7 Stories during tech week.

Students Michael Wanless (Production Design and Technical Arts, Calgary, AB), Tiffany Ledesma (Production Design and Technical Arts, Toronto, ON) and Aurora Torok (Production Design and Technical Arts, Oakville, ON) collaborating during tech week for a student show.

They hired our Production Design and Technical Arts alumni:

Arts Club
Centaur Theatre
Citadel Theatre
Charlottetown Festival
Great Canadian Theatre Company
National Arts Centre

Neptune Theatre
Royal MTC
Shaw Festival
Soulpepper
Stratford Festival
Tarragon Theatre

APPLICATION FORM

The admissions period for Fall 2027 entry to the Technical Arts or Production/Design programs will be from October 30, 2026-January 31, 2027.

The first step is to complete the Application Form for NTS.

After the close of the admissions period on January 31, candidates for Technical Arts and for Production/Design will receive specific instructions from NTS for all additional steps in the evaluation process, specific to their chosen program.

Applicants to Technical Arts and Production/Design programs will learn of the final outcomes of their applications in early May.

To apply, you must be at least 18 years old as of December 31 of the year of entry at NTS.

LETTER OF INTENT

After the close of the admissions period on January 31, candidates for the Technical Arts and the Production/Design programs will be asked to submit a one-page letter of intent responding to specific questions.

PORTFOLIO

Additionally, candidates in the Production/Design program will be asked to submit a portfolio of their work.

INTERVIEW

After the close of the admissions period on January 31, all candidates for the Technical Arts and the Production/Design programs will be invited to schedule a 30-minute interview with the program director, preferably in person. The Director may contact the persons of reference submitted with each candidate’s original application form following the interview.

PROJECT

Following the interview, Technical Arts applicants will receive instructions to share a short “This is Me” project, using a medium of their choice, to offer a glimpse of how they think and what sparks their curiosity. Applicants will have two weeks to complete and submit their project.

Following the interview, Production/Design applicants will receive instructions to complete a project, writing a production concept for a specific play chosen by the school. Applicants will have one month to complete and submit their project.

NEED ANY HELP?

Read the Frequently Asked Questions

CONTACT OUR ADMISSIONS OFFICE

admission@ent-nts.ca

514-842-7954, ext. 163

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Learn more about tuition fees, student bursaries, and loans.

Starting in their first year, Production program students must have a laptop to complete their work and exercises. Some financial aid is available. Learn more

Start your application now!

Production/Design & Technical Arts