National Theatre School of Canada
Program
No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewIn-Person or VirtualUltra-SelectiveUnder 12 StudentsUniversity App Required
Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Audition Required
No Interview
Ultra-Selective
Under 12 Students
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
•Individualized 3-year professional training covering voice, movement, text, music, and acting for camera
•2:1 instructor-to-student ratio with daily mentorship from working professionals
PRODUCTIONS & FACILITIES
•~10 student shows per year; venues from intimate spaces to the 800-seat Ludger-Duvernay Theatre
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
•Partnerships with Stratford and Shaw Festivals; graduates hired by Soulpepper, Canadian Stage, National Arts Centre, and more
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Sandra Oh — Golden Globe winner; Grey's Anatomy, Killing Eve
•Colm Feore — Stratford leading man; Thor, The Umbrella Academy
•Martha Henry — Stratford legend, Governor General's Award
•Noah Reid — SAG Award winner; Schitt's Creek
•Henry Czerny — Mission: Impossible franchise
•Seana McKenna — 40+ Stratford roles, first female Richard III
•Luke Kirby — Emmy winner for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
•Peter Cullen — voice of Optimus Prime
•Roy Dupuis — La Femme Nikita
Key Info
University AppApplication
Apply atSchool Website
Deadline
Jan 31, 2027
Application Fee
$50
2027-2028 cycle; discount available if applying to multiple programs
Program AppApplication
Auditions
WinnipegMar 3, 2026
SaskatoonMar 3, 2026
CalgaryMar 4, 2026
EdmontonMar 5, 2026
Audition Requirements
Monologues
TWO SHORT MONOLOGUES, 2 min max each
•ONE CLASSICAL MONOLOGUE chosen from the NTS-approved monologue list
•ONE CONTEMPORARY MONOLOGUE of your choice
•Each monologue must not exceed 2 minutes
Additional Materials
HEADSHOT (required)
•Digital headshot in PDF format, max 5 MB
REFERENCES (required)
•Names and contact information for 2 references
•Teachers and/or theatre professionals
Good to Know
ELIGIBILITY
•Must be 18 years old by December 31 of the year of entry
•No academic prerequisites — all experience levels welcome
ENROLLMENT
•Fall enrollment only — 3-year full-time program
•All courses mandatory — no credit transfers or equivalencies
APPLICATION DETAILS
•Application fee: $50 per program (discount for multiple programs)
•English and French sections have separate application forms
•Separate application required for each program applied to
•Classical monologue must be chosen from the NTS-approved list available on the School website
What's The Process
AUDITION FORMAT
•In-person auditions at cities across Canada during a national tour in March
•Video auditions reserved for candidates outside Canada only
AUDITION PROCESS
•Prepare and perform two short monologues (one classical from NTS list, one contemporary)
•Selected candidates invited to a two-day callback workshop in Montreal
•Callback features classes and workshops led by NTS faculty and professional artists
RESULTS
•Selection process runs February to May
•Final results officially announced in May
CONTACT
•admission@ent-nts.ca | 514-842-7954, ext. 163
Scholarship Info
FINANCIAL AID
•NTS grants approximately $1 million in financial aid annually across 150 students
•Need-based assessment evaluated case-by-case
•Renewable for all years of study, re-evaluated annually
GRADUATION AWARDS
•Tullio Cedraschi Award — exemplifying NTS mission and values
•Ada Slaight Prize — leadership and empathy across both language sections
•Peter Dwyer Award — Canada Council for the Arts recognition of excellence
EMERGENCY LOANS
•Up to $1,000 per school year available through Student Services
Program info updated 2d ago
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
•Individualized 3-year professional training covering voice, movement, text, music, and acting for camera
•2:1 instructor-to-student ratio with daily mentorship from working professionals
PRODUCTIONS & FACILITIES
•~10 student shows per year; venues from intimate spaces to the 800-seat Ludger-Duvernay Theatre
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
•Partnerships with Stratford and Shaw Festivals; graduates hired by Soulpepper, Canadian Stage, National Arts Centre, and more
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Sandra Oh — Golden Globe winner; Grey's Anatomy, Killing Eve
•Colm Feore — Stratford leading man; Thor, The Umbrella Academy
•Martha Henry — Stratford legend, Governor General's Award
•Noah Reid — SAG Award winner; Schitt's Creek
•Henry Czerny — Mission: Impossible franchise
•Seana McKenna — 40+ Stratford roles, first female Richard III
•Luke Kirby — Emmy winner for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
•Peter Cullen — voice of Optimus Prime
•Roy Dupuis — La Femme Nikita
Updated 2d ago
Academic School Information
150
Enrollment
Domestic Tuition
CA$6,584
Canadian students
International Tuition
CA$13,169
international students
