10 Best Acting Schools In Canada 2023

Are you looking to begin a career in acting in Canada? Do you need help finding the best acting schools in Canada?

If you have ever desired to get an acting career, finding and attending a reliable and decent acting school is a great way to begin. And Canada is one such country with some of the best acting schools in the world.

However, going to the best acting school won’t completely make you a terrific actor. The specialized training and the kind of lifestyle stimulated by the institution you attend should play a huge factor too. And this is the reason you need to choose Canada!

We will be making a list of our top ten best acting schools in Canada that you can study in to become a professional actor or actress by the end of your study year.

What Do Actors Do?
How Much Are Actors Paid?
Is Canada a Good Place for Acting?
Best Acting Schools in Canada
Conclusion
FAQs

What Do Actors Do?

Simply, actors portray characters in movies, television shows, plays, theatre productions and all other variety of performances on screen.

They take up characters from the story the screenwriter has written, develop an emotional life for these characters while they memorise the dialogues in a movie script.

Becoming an actor is way tougher than words can explain however, with dedication, talent, and practice, studying acting in one of the best acting schools in Canada, it sure can run smoothly for you.

While starting on this career path, you need to keep in mind that most of your time will be spent rehearsing your part of a script when you have become one. You will also get to meet movie directors and producers and attend meetings.

Having understood what is required of an actor and why it is necessary for you to choose one of the best acting schools in Canada to study, here is the list of our top 10 best acting schools in Canada.

Wait! You might want to know this.

How Much Are Actors Paid?

If you have been dreaming of being an actor, you must have wondered what the pay is like for actors too. The thing is, actors make good money, and you can as well – almost only when you have begun to play your roles well.

In Canada, the average pay for an actor is $48 per hour and $98,836 per year. The average salary range for an actor runs from $70,183 to $122,367.

How To Become An Actor in Canada?

Below a the five steps you must follow to become an actor, in no particular order!!

Train to become an actor. There are no formal educational requirements for actors, but training is an excellent place to start. If you’re a student, consider getting a BFA or MFA in theater or attending summer programs; otherwise, local acting classes are the best choice for most people.
Prepare your headshot, acting résumé, and demo reel. Casting directors often require you to submit these materials before they will consider you for roles.
Submit to auditions and casting calls. Early in your career, you’ll find these through word of mouth and online casting platforms like Backstage.
Gain experience to improve your résumé and reel. As you audition and land more roles, you’ll acquire better footage for your reel—and better parts to list on your résumé.
Get signed by an agent. The experience you’ve built up will help you impress an acting agent and get representation. You’ll have access to more significant projects and meatier roles with an agent in your corner.

Is Canada a Good Place for Acting?

Canada is a fantastic place for acting with its thriving entertainment industry. From bustling cities like Toronto and Vancouver to smaller yet significant hubs like Montreal, the country offers a wealth of opportunities for actors. The film and television industry in Canada is robust, with numerous productions being filmed each year. Moreover, Canada boasts renowned training programs and acting schools, nurturing talent and providing actors with essential skills and knowledge.

Additionally, the country offers generous tax incentives and funding opportunities, attracting both domestic and international productions. Whether you’re a budding actor or an experienced professional, Canada provides a supportive and dynamic environment to pursue your acting career. So, get ready to showcase your talent and make your mark in the Canadian acting scene! #ActingCanada

Best Acting Schools in Canada

We have made this list available to make choosing your best out of the 10 best acting schools in Canada easier. Here:

1. Toronto Academy of Acting and Film & Television School

Toronto Academy of Acting and Film and Television School is famous for being one of the best acting schools in Canada that offers training diploma programs for students interested in acting and television productions.

This school is unique because it has access to all the film and television projects throughout Canada. In fact, it is the only acting school in Canada with such access and this places it at the top of the best acting schools in Canada.

Here, the courses for the acting and film programs are presented to the students in a challenging yet, friendly environment. These students are educated in numerous acting courses, filmmaking courses, and vocational programs.

The tuition fee is $10,000 and $15,000 for both local and international students, respectively.

2. Vancouver Film School

The Vancouver Film School is also one of the best acting schools in Canada. Also unique for the programs it offers;

A basic acting course for four months
An acting program for film and television that runs for one year.

The four monthly basic acting course program costs $7,500 and $10,500 for Canadian and international students, respectively.

On the other hand, the one-year program goes for $20,500 for Canadian and international students $30,500.

3. The University of British Columbia Department of Theatre and Film

Founded in 1908, this remains one of the best acting schools in Canada, offering quality education and special training. It stands as one of the top 20 universities worldwide and one of the top three in Canada.

There are a vast number of degree courses in the acting, theatre, and film programs, and they are all available for undergraduate and graduate students.

The tuition fees for acting and film programs at this university are $4,995.78 and $8,776.74 for citizens of the country and international students, respectively.

4. Red Deer College

Founded in 1964, Red Deer College is one of the best acting schools in Canada. It offers an undergraduate acting and film program, and the fourth year can be done anywhere – for practical training. It could be to work on a real-life set for any existing production.

The Red Deer College tuition fees go for $5,600 for citizens and $22,068.00 for international students.

5. Second City Toronto

The Second City Toronto currently sits at the top of the world’s fastest improvisation and comedy schools list. It is also one of the best acting schools in Canada.

The school offers on-demand classes for adults. And for children and adolescents, it offers camps and courses too.

For students preparing for professional careers in improvisation, acting, writing, and comedy, the school offers them the conservatory program that runs for 12 months. This program analyzes the improvisation techniques created in the Second City over the past 50 years.

At Second City Toronto, every new student is required to pay a membership fee of $15.

The tuition fee at the school is $280 per quarter – for adult classes. And then, the rates vary for the summer camps and programs for teens and youths.

6. National Theater School of Canada

The National Theatre School of Canada was established in Montreal in 1960. It is famous for being one of the few co-lingual theater schools across the globe that offers competent training in both English and French. The school has about 200 full-time and part-time experts teaching over 160 students.

Also, the National Theatre School of Canada doubles as one of the best acting schools in Canada.

The tuition fee goes for $4,500 for citizens and non-citizens, $9,000.

7. Capilano University School of Motion Picture Arts

Capilano University School of Motion Picture Arts is one of the best acting schools in Canada that offer programs on cinematographic arts, 2D animation, and visual development.

Also, they offer 3D animation for games and movies, digital visual effects, costumes for stage and screen, documentaries, and indigenous independent digital cinema.

The tuition fee for this school is $28,251.

8. Simon Fraser University

Established in 1965, Simon Fraser University promotes real-life training and learning in affiliation with theoretical aspects of the classrooms.

Students who school at Simon Fraser University are opened up to incredible opportunities to tighten their knowledge of other fields of the arts.

The tuition fee is $2,770 for Canadian students or $12,125 for international students.

9. Ryerson University

Ryerson University was founded in 1963, and it has since become one of the best acting schools in Canada.

It offers programs in film and television studios to undergraduates and graduates. These programs come with teachings by famous and conventional experts in the film and television industries.

The tuition fee for this school is $7,044 for Canadian citizens and $11,163 for international students.

10. Canadian College of Performing Arts

The Canadian College of Performing Arts is another school on the list of the best acting schools in Canada. The school offers two intensive one-year certificate programs. And then there’s a diploma program for advanced students that runs for half-year.

For the first year of the program, the students get enrolled in acting, dance, voice, musical theater, and professional development classes. And while at all of these, these students are allowed the opportunities to the masterclasses, special events, and guest artists.

The tuition fee for the Canadian College of Performing Arts is #15,000 per year for both Canadian and international students.

Conclusion

While starting a career in acting is not an easy taste to begin, going to one of the best acting schools should be a great first step. It can help smooth the journey ahead while you put in all the effort you can see in your dedication and practice.

You may never have known this, but it is easy to move from being a great student of the professionals who will teach you to work with them.

We wish you the best on this path you have chosen!

FAQs

How much are actors paid?

In Canada, the average pay for an actor is $48 per hour and $98,836 for a year. The average range for an actor runs between $70,183 to $122,367.

What are the best acting schools in Canada?

Toronto Academy of Acting and Film & Television School
Vancouver Film School
The University of British Columbia Department of Theatre and Film
Red Deer College
Second City Toronto
National Theater School of Canada
Capilano University School of Motion Picture Arts
Simon Fraser University
Ryerson University
Canadian College of Performing Arts

What kind of training do acting schools in Canada provide?

Acting schools in Canada typically provide training in various aspects of acting, such as voice, movement, script analysis, and character development. Some schools also offer specialized training in areas such as film and television acting, stage combat, and physical theater.

How long is the program at acting schools in Canada?

The length of the program at acting schools in Canada varies depending on the school and the level of training offered. Some schools offer one-year programs, while others offer two-year programs or even longer.

What are the admission requirements for acting schools in Canada?

Admission requirements for acting schools in Canada vary depending on the school but usually include a completed application, transcripts, a resume, and an audition or interview. Some schools also require a headshot and a personal statement.

Are there any scholarships or financial aid available for acting schools in Canada?

Many acting schools in Canada offer scholarships and bursaries to help students cover the cost of tuition. Some schools also have work-study programs or internships that can help students gain real-world experience while earning money. It is always best to check with each school and see if they have any such programs.