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National Theatre School of Canada

Montreal, QC

LGBTQ+

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

Cert. Set & Costume Design

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Training

3-year program training in both set and costume design for theatre, dance, opera, and circus arts

Increasing responsibilities from crew to assistant to full designer across multiple productions

Co-lingual program — English and French students train together (bilingualism not required)

Notable Alumni

Heather Redfern — set/costume designer turned arts leader; Executive Director of The Cultch (Vancouver); 2023 Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation

Stéphane Longpré — scenographer who worked on Robert Lepage's Wagner Ring cycle at Opéra de Montréal; now directs the NTS Set & Costume Design program

Professional Development

Graduates work at Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Cirque du Soleil, Canadian Opera Company, Metropolitan Opera (New York), Comédie-Française (Paris), and Universal Pictures

2:1 instructor-to-student ratio with mentorship from renowned professional artists

Facilities

Monument-National campus — the oldest operating theatre in Canada

Fully-equipped professional set and costume shops with a costume collection of thousands of pieces

Professional head carpenters, scenic painters, props makers, cutters, and dressmakers assist students

Annual SCENO Exhibition showcasing second-year students' creations

School Info

Snapshot

150

Enrollment

Costs & Aid

Domestic Tuition

CA$6,584

Canadian students

International Tuition

CA$13,169

international students

School website

Program info updated Aug 10, 12:27 AM

Program Highlights

Training

3-year program training in both set and costume design for theatre, dance, opera, and circus arts

Increasing responsibilities from crew to assistant to full designer across multiple productions

Co-lingual program — English and French students train together (bilingualism not required)

Notable Alumni

Heather Redfern — set/costume designer turned arts leader; Executive Director of The Cultch (Vancouver); 2023 Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation

Stéphane Longpré — scenographer who worked on Robert Lepage's Wagner Ring cycle at Opéra de Montréal; now directs the NTS Set & Costume Design program

Professional Development

Graduates work at Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Cirque du Soleil, Canadian Opera Company, Metropolitan Opera (New York), Comédie-Française (Paris), and Universal Pictures

2:1 instructor-to-student ratio with mentorship from renowned professional artists

Facilities

Monument-National campus — the oldest operating theatre in Canada

Fully-equipped professional set and costume shops with a costume collection of thousands of pieces

Professional head carpenters, scenic painters, props makers, cutters, and dressmakers assist students

Annual SCENO Exhibition showcasing second-year students' creations

Program Highlights

Training

3-year program training in both set and costume design for theatre, dance, opera, and circus arts

Increasing responsibilities from crew to assistant to full designer across multiple productions

Co-lingual program — English and French students train together (bilingualism not required)

Notable Alumni

Heather Redfern — set/costume designer turned arts leader; Executive Director of The Cultch (Vancouver); 2023 Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation

Stéphane Longpré — scenographer who worked on Robert Lepage's Wagner Ring cycle at Opéra de Montréal; now directs the NTS Set & Costume Design program

Professional Development

Graduates work at Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Cirque du Soleil, Canadian Opera Company, Metropolitan Opera (New York), Comédie-Française (Paris), and Universal Pictures

2:1 instructor-to-student ratio with mentorship from renowned professional artists

Facilities

Monument-National campus — the oldest operating theatre in Canada

Fully-equipped professional set and costume shops with a costume collection of thousands of pieces

Professional head carpenters, scenic painters, props makers, cutters, and dressmakers assist students

Annual SCENO Exhibition showcasing second-year students' creations

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fee

Application Fee

CA$50

Opens

Oct 1, 2026

Deadline

Application DeadlineJan 31, 2027

Admission Process · ent-nts.ca

Interview Requirements

Creative Sample (Required)

Creative sample: Complete an artistic project using instructions sent after the application deadline

Creative sample: One month is provided to complete the project

Portfolio (Required If Invited)

Portfolio: Present recent art or theatrical work at the interview

Portfolio: Originals are strongly preferred

Headshot (Required)

Digital headshot in PDF format, max 5 MB

References (Required)

Names and contact information for 2 references

Teachers and/or theatre professionals

Set And Costume Design · ent-nts.ca

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Fall 2027 application period: October 1, 2026-January 31, 2027

Application fee: $50.00 for 2027-2028; 50% discount for additional applications

English and French sections share this program (single co-lingual cohort)

Separate application required for each program applied to

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

Admission Pathway

English and French students attend the same classes together

Bilingualism not required but understanding both languages can be an asset

Students may work and present in the language of their choice

What's The Process

Audition Process

Submit application with headshot and references by the deadline

Candidates receive an artistic project with instructions (one month to complete)

Candidates who pass the project stage are invited to an interview

Present a portfolio of recent art or theatrical work at the interview (originals strongly preferred)

Decisions

Selection process runs February to May

Results announced in May

Contact

Admission@ent-nts.ca | 514-842-7954, ext. 134

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

School Info

Snapshot

150

Enrollment

Costs & Aid

Domestic Tuition

CA$6,584

Canadian students

International Tuition

CA$13,169

international students

School website

Training

3-year program training in both set and costume design for theatre, dance, opera, and circus arts

Increasing responsibilities from crew to assistant to full designer across multiple productions

Co-lingual program — English and French students train together (bilingualism not required)

Notable Alumni

Heather Redfern — set/costume designer turned arts leader; Executive Director of The Cultch (Vancouver); 2023 Gascon-Thomas Award for Innovation

Stéphane Longpré — scenographer who worked on Robert Lepage's Wagner Ring cycle at Opéra de Montréal; now directs the NTS Set & Costume Design program

Professional Development

Graduates work at Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Cirque du Soleil, Canadian Opera Company, Metropolitan Opera (New York), Comédie-Française (Paris), and Universal Pictures

2:1 instructor-to-student ratio with mentorship from renowned professional artists

Facilities

Monument-National campus — the oldest operating theatre in Canada

Fully-equipped professional set and costume shops with a costume collection of thousands of pieces

Professional head carpenters, scenic painters, props makers, cutters, and dressmakers assist students

Annual SCENO Exhibition showcasing second-year students' creations

Updated Aug 10, 12:27 AM