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Acting for Stage and Screen

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Program Code: SS211
Credential: Diploma
Start Dates: September
Program Length: 4 semesters
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Make September 2025 your time to shine. Apply on us and get your $150 application fee back*. See details.

Program Overview

Humber’s two-year Acting for Stage and Screen diploma offers comprehensive twenty-first century training for actors. Through scene study, exercises and collaborative projects, you build the foundational performance skills needed to pursue creative work in the theatre and in front of the camera. 

This program combines education in the art and craft of acting with training in business protocols and professional standards. Under guidance of working actors and distinguished directors with decades of experience in theatre, film, television and multimedia, you develop and apply skills in voice, speech, singing, movement, dance, physical theatre, improvisation and character work. You practise auditioning and showcasing your talent and learn to create and build a personal brand while meeting the financial challenges of a freelance acting career. Creativity and technologies that support acting are emphasized.  

In the final six weeks of your fourth semester, you specialize in either stage performance or on-camera performance, and further personalize your skillset by attending your choice of specialized workshops—from motion capture, voice-over, screen demo and green screen, to virtual production, improvisation and intimacy direction.

Successful completion of the program does not guarantee that students will find agents. Agents may require proof of permanent residence upon signing.

The Humber Advantage

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AFSS Audition Dos and Don’ts

Monologues

A monologue (also called a soliloquy) is a speech a character makes directed at another character (s). The first step is choosing monologues that you relate to personally, that excite you and compel you to share them with others.

Avoid generic monologues you find off the internet. Choose material from a published play or screenplay. Consult your local librarian for assistance.

The length of the monologues should be between 2-3 minutes. Time yourself.

DOs

  • Do memorize thoroughly 2 monologues: one dramatic and one comedic. At least one of your monologues must be classical*.
  • Do personalize your interpretation. What is your point of view on the monologue and the character?
  • Do imagine to whom you are speaking.
  • Do rehearse with a friend.
  • If it helps you, record yourself and adjust your performance.

DON’Ts

  • Do not recite the monologue. Act it.
  • Do not face away from the audition panelists. We need to see your eyes.
  • If, when performing, you would like to make direct eye contact and use one of the audition panelists as your imaginary scene partner, please ask. Some panelists prefer you do not.
  • Do not fidget. Shuffle your feet, etc.
  • Do not ask for feedback.

*Special Note:

What is a classical monologue?

Any text written before 1990 that uses heightened, poetic language. While Shakespeare, Moliere and other classical texts from the Western canon are considered classical, non-western cultures may also be sources for your classical monologue. Examples are the epic Sanskrit poem, The Mahabharata, or Indigenous folk tales and myths. The important thing is to demonstrate your ability to use rich, dramatic language expressively.

Expert Faculty

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John Bourgeois

In a career spanning more than thirty years, John has been a busy screen and stage actor. He has appeared in leading roles on Toronto’s mainstages, at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Off-Broadway as well as at numerous North American regional theatres such as Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre. He has had a long standing artistic relationship with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. In 2018, he won the Best Actor award there for his performance as Eric in Stephen Karam’s The Humans, a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer prize and winner of a Tony for best new play. As a teacher, he has taught and directed students at several colleges and universities across Canada and since 2005, has been the director of Humber College’s screen acting program. In 2016, Humber recognised him with the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

On screen, he is much in demand as a character actor. He has been a series regular (KUNG FU, THE CITY, LITTLE MEN, CARTER) and has acted with a compendium of notable film and stage actors. His imdb page lists more than one hundred and twenty screen appearances. Highlights include the Peabody award-winning film, “THE INTERROGATION OF MICHAEL CROWE” as well as the Genie award winner for the indie film “THE DANE”. Recent appearances include FX’s Mrs. America, and the upcoming Netflix series Jupiters’ Legacy. This fall, he will appear as CIA Director John Brennan in the CBS mini-series The Green Room opposite Jeff Daniels. Raised bilingual in Montreal, John has also acted in french on stage and in the hit Quebec series “L”OR”. In addition, he has performed in several international commercials, radio dramas and appeared in the comedy digital series SAVE ME for CBC Gem.

In 1998, John produced and directed the short feature film Jimmy Pacheco which received nominations for Best Comedy at the Yorktown and Mill Valley Film Festivals. He wrote and performed the one man drama Tansey’s Brag ( subsequently taped for Bravo television and CBC radio) as well as Walking on Crimson, a play inspired in part by Romeo Dallaire’s UN Command in Rwanda which he performed in the Toronto Fringe Festival. He has produced several showcase films with graduates of the program, most notably the feature length ""After Lola"" with the Class of 2013.

Trained for the stage at Concordia University (BA English & Theatre) and The Webber-Douglas Academy in London, he also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.

In his spare time, he plays tennis, cycles and travels. He is married to the actor, Maria Ricossa with whom he raised three wonderful daughters.

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Elias Ham

Eli Ham is a Toronto-based, coach, actor, director, dramaturge, and arts educator with over 20 years of experience. He is a graduate of George Brown Theatre School, The Birmingham
Conservatory for Classical Theatre and York University’s inaugural Artists in Education program.

As a teaching artist with the Stratford Festival’s Education Department, he visits elementary and high schools, colleges and universities across North America and has directed a number of the department’s summer theatre programs/intensives over the last 15 years. He has been a guest instructor at Cardinal Carter Arts Academy, St. Clair College, The University of Michigan, Butler University and George Brown College where he worked as a speech professor. He also works as a speech and dialect coach independently.

As an actor, Elias has toured North America extensively and performed in most states, provinces and territories including seasons at The Stratford Festival, The Grand Theatre and the Blyth Festival. He was the dramaturge/director for the premiere of Keith Barker’s This is How We Got Here, which was nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Award in 2018. His film/TV credits include Sarah Polley’s film adaptation of Miriam Toews’ Women TalkingTitansNikita (Warner Bros.), Reacher (Amazon), The Umbrella Academy, Shadow Hunters (Netflix), Kin (Lionsgate Films), Condor (MGM), Reign (CW), Hannibal, Hemlock Grove, Copper (ABC/BBCA), The Listener (CTV), Murdoch Mysteries (CityTV/CBC), Being Erica (CBC), Genius (Disney), In a Heartbeat (Alliance Atlantis). His video games series credits include Watch Dogs, Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell (Ubisoft).

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Mike Kirby

Mike Kirby has won 12 CLIO Awards for advertising excellence in his 35-year career as an actor, narrator, broadcaster, author and world trekker.

Theatrically, Mike has appeared in principal roles off-Broadway in Oliver Hailey’s Red Rover, Red Rover, in Toronto Free Theatre’s production of Sharon Pollack’s Doc, Theater Calgary’s Walsh, K2 and Beauty and the BeastA Streetcar Named Desire and The Collected Works of Billy the Kid in regional theatres across Canada and the US, and the National Art Center’s production of You Can’t Take It With You.

Mike’s title roles in major motion pictures include The Silent Partner, The Kidnapping of the President, In Praise of Older Women, John Boorman's Where the Heart Is, and the classic Meatballs, directed by Ivan Reitman.

Voice over credits include the network voice of HGTV, and the station voice of Newstalk Radio 1010 and CJAD in Montreal.

Commercial clients include the Toronto Blue Jays, Stratford Festival, Ontario Tourism, West Side Story, and Broadway’s Kiss of the Spiderwoman. His movie trailers include James Bond, Scream 2, Good Will Hunting, Trainspotting, Jurassic Park, and Star Trek.

Mike was the host/announcer of the Special Olympics World Winter Games at Skydome in Toronto and is narrator of the ten-part documentary series Brazil Untamed for the Love Nature Channel. Other clients include the award-winning CBC documentary series Witness, The Aztec Empire for PBS, and History of the Crusades.

Michael David Kirby has narrated seven audiobooks for Audible including Jane Urquhart’s The Underpainter, Daniel Coleman’s Yardworks, Michael Quetting’s Papa Goose, and the anthology Toronto Noir.

As a hiker, Mike has guided trekkers to the Everest Base Camp and has hiked the Camino Di Santiago Campostella in its entirety. He is the bestselling author of two Hiker Mike books and has penned two definitive how-to books on the commercial voice-over industry, The Announcer’s Voice-Over Workbook and The Message. He teaches voice performance through his company Voiceworx.com and at Humber College in Toronto.

Mike earned an Honours BA with a double major in drama and the Renaissance from Victoria College at the University of Toronto, and is a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater in New York City where he studied personally with Sanford Meisner for two humility-filled years.

Your Career

In addition to traditional stage, film and television opportunities, graduates of the program are ready to work in a wide range of multimedia including webisodes, virtual reality and gaming videos, as well as voice overs for cartoons, commercials, narration and audio dialogue replacement (dubbing). 

Program Availability

Start dates between Sept 2025 - Aug 2026
START DELIVERY LOCATION STATUS
Sep 2025 Block-Based Lakeshore Open
Start dates between Sept 2025 - Aug 2026
START DELIVERY LOCATION STATUS
Sep 2025 Block-Based Lakeshore Open

Humber is a publicly-funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber or Humber’s International Graduate School (IGS) are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

International Students in Canada who apply for September 2024 start could be eligible for an automatic scholarship*. Apply now

Please note the new International Admissions Process and Provincial Attestation Letters. Read the update

Start dates between Sept 2025 - Aug 2026
START DELIVERY LOCATION STATUS
Sep 2025 Block-Based Lakeshore Open

Humber is a publicly-funded institution and does not have a public-private partnership. International students graduating from Humber or Humber’s International Graduate School (IGS) are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

International Students Out of Canada can Apply through Humber International

Please note the new International Admissions Process and Provincial Attestation Letters. Read the update

Acting for Stage and Screen Audition Dos and Don'ts

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Humber’s two-year Acting for Stage and Screen diploma offers comprehensive twenty-first century training for actors. Learn how to prepare for your audition to the program!


Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber Polytechnic reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.

GET YOUR $125 APPLICATION FEE BACK*

Apply On Us This September!

Apply through OCAS between June 14 - July 19, 2024 and be registered full-time on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 and receive a $125 credit equal to the domestic application fee.

To qualify, get started by filling out the APPLY ON US form.

*This promotion is open to domestic applications for the September 2024 program intakes only. Offer not valid for existing applicants or applications.

International Students with a valid Study Permit or Letter of Introduction (LOI)* can receive a Waiver Code to cover the $100 September 2024 application fee.

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How to Apply

Domestic Students

Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by July 15, 2024 to receive your Application Fee Credit. Applications for September will remain open as long as the program availability status shows Open.

To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber’s program pages, search by availability, or ontariocolleges.ca.

To see where you are in the admissions process, visit the Admissions Road Map.

International Students

If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.

Contact Us

Admissions Questions

General Enquiries

Call 416-675-3111 or email enquiry@humber.ca. If you have already applied, be sure to check your application status on myhumber.ca.

Domestic Applicants Enquiries

Domestic applicants can book a one-on-one advising appointment with an admissions representative.

International Applicants Enquiries

Contact the International Centre for information about full-time programs (including the International Graduate School), how to apply and to follow up on your submitted application.

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Elias Ham, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622
elias.ham@humber.ca

Campus Information

Book a campus tour to take a closer look at what it's like to be a student at Humber.

Want More Info?

Find out more about the student experience and everything that Humber has to offer Future Students.

for more info on Humber, including programs, special events and more!

How To Become An Apprentice

Becoming an Apprentice

Find an employer willing to sponsor you as an apprentice.

Contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to register as an apprentice.

Work with your employer approximately one year before attending Humber.

View Instructions 

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

If you’re in high school – grade 11 or 12 – you can earn co-op education credits through work placements in some skilled trades.

Visit OYAP 

How to Apply

Domestic Students

Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program.

To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber’s program pages, search by availability, or ontariocolleges.ca.

To see where you are in the admissions process, visit the Admissions Road Map.

International Students

If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.

Need Advice?

Program Advising Appointments

Get help narrowing down your program options or book a one-on-one pre-enrolment advising appointment with one of our Recruitment Officers.

Transfer & Pathway Advising

Book a virtual appointment with a Student Mobility Advisor learn more about getting Transfer Credit(s) for previous post-secondary experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), and Pathways options.

Admission Requirements

Admission selection is based on the academic criteria indicated. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

Admission selection is based on the following four requirements:

  • Academic

    To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

    • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
      • Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U or equivalent)
      • Three Grade 11 or Grade 12 C, M or U courses in addition to those listed above

    or

    or

    Mature Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

    College Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

    University Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  • Audition Workshop

  • All applicants are required to attend an audition workshop. The audition workshops will be held on several dates and offered both in-person and virtually (for applicants living at a distance from Humber). Please note you will be required to attend one workshop only and registration is through Calendly.

    The audition process will include theatre games and a presentation. The theatre games will assess four criteria: memorization, interpretation, spontaneity, as well as the ability to take direction.

    The presentations will include two Contrasting Monologues. One contemporary piece (1990-Present) and one piece from a classical cannon (pre-1990) that uses heightened language (ex. Indigenous creation stories and teachings, The Mahabharata, cultural folktales, and myths like Sundiata or Shakespeare). These two monologues should show different strengths of yours as a performer and/or sides of your personality. Examples of contrast include but are not limited to: comedic vs. dramatic, heroic vs. villainous, upbeat vs. somber in tone. 

    Monologues should be approximately one and half minutes and must be from a published or recorded work. They are to be prepared in advance and presented at the audition workshop.

  • English Language Proficiency

    All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

  • International Credit Evaluation

    Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.

International Academic Equivalency

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.

Post-Admission Requirements

Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).

Equipment & Device Requirements

Fees & Financial Aid

The 2024/2025 fee for two semesters was:

  • domestic: $5,942.30
  • international: $17,223.00

Fees are subject to change.

Fees by Semester

Domestic Fees International Fees

Financial Aid, Scholarships and Bursaries

Understand the costs associated with coming to Humber and explore resources available from first year to your final year on Student Fees and Financial Resources.

Scholarships

Humber Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.

Humber Bursaries

Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.

External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.

Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.

Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways

Humber Pathways include:

  • Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
  • Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
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