One-Year Dramatic Arts Diploma Program
The Ultimate in Professional Actor Training
Our 1-Year Dramatic Arts | Advanced Diploma comprises all areas of acting training covered during both our 6-Month Dramatic Arts Diploma and 6-Month Dramatic Arts | Advanced Diploma for one year of continuous study.
After developing a strong foundation of acting skills during your first 6 months of study, you’ll delve deeper into in-depth study of character development by learning how to create a character from the ground up. You’ll work further on developing your script analysis, scene study and audition skills and be introduced to additional acting techniques and approaches. You’ll learn about the process of production, then write, cast and create a short film with your classmates. You’ll also be introduced to and develop voice over acting technique to pursue additional opportunities available. By the end of the one year of study, you will have your professional actors package (including cover letter, resume, professional headshots and demo reel) to send out to agents for representation.
"The Dramatic Arts Program is incredible! The best thing is that the teachers are all working actors and so they're up to date on their information about the film industry in Vancouver. I found this program highly informative. VADA is the best option for anyone looking to get into acting." - Alex McDonald
Includes a Trip to LA!
As part of the one-year Dramatic Arts Diploma Program you are invited to experience a 4-day intensive trip where you will have the chance to meet with industry professionals working in Hollywood to gain valuable information on being an actor in LA. The field trip fee is included in your 1-Year Dramatic Arts | Advanced Diploma tuition fee at no extra cost. accommodations, transportation and numerous professional workshops with a variety of Hollywood professionals, which may include Casting Directors, Producers, Directors, Talent Management, Audition Coaches and Lifestyle coaches.
The field trip fee is included in your 1-Year Dramatic Arts | Advanced Diploma tuition fee at no extra cost.
Is the 1-Year Dramatic Arts Diploma Program Right for You?
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
Diploma Course Includes
• Text & Script Analysis • Improvisation • Character Analysis & Development • Standard American Dialect • Camera Tech • Career Planning & Goal Setting • Set Etiquette & Terminology • Getting an Agent Seminar • Monologues • Headshots & Resumes • TV & Film Cold Read Auditions • Audition Reel Projects • On & Off Camera • Commercial Auditions • Professional headshots included in tuition
Our Alumni Have Appeared in:
Upcoming Course Dates
March 10, 2025 to March 6, 2026
September 8, 2025 to September 4, 2026
Time: Monday to Friday 9am – 1:15pm (first six months)
1:30pm – 5:45pm (last six months)
Course Duration: 12 months
Step 1: Initial Application.
Applicants must have one of the following prerequisites:
17 years of age or older with a copy of Grade 12 diploma (or transcripts) from a Canadian high school or an equivalent institution worldwide, or
Successful completion of Government Equivalency Diploma (GED), or
Mature Placement: If applicant does not possess a high school diploma or GED, the may apply as a mature student (over 19)
Note: High school students may apply for the one year study program option during their final year of study (Grade 12), however cannot begin studies at VADA until proof of graduation is provided
Additional Requirements:
Application Fee: $75
300 Word Essay (minimum) on the subject of:
Why would you like to become an actor?
Why do you feel VADA is the right school for you?
1 Headshot photo (Does not need to need to be professionally done).
Step 2: After submitting applications and support documents
Staff will follow up to request/confirm documents received.
Staff will schedule an Entrance Interview (conducted by phone or Skype with a member of the Admissions Board).
Step 3: Audition Monologue
If an applicant successfully passes Entrance Interview:
Applicants will be assigned a monologue to audition
The applicant is given 4 days to prepare, perform, videotape, then send back their performance by email attachment
Staff will follow up to confirm that the monologue has been received
Staff will confirm if the applicant has been accepted
Step 4: Letter of Acceptance and Tuition Deposit
Applicant is accepted into the program and sent an email with the acceptance package
Applicant will be given 2 weeks to send their tuition deposit to hold their seat in the program:
30% deposit (Domestic students: Canadians & Permanent Resident Visa holders)
Note: Payment plans can be created for the remainder of tuition (Note: There is a $250 administrative fee on a payment plan)
Course Duration: 52 Weeks (Includes 2 Week Breaks in Summer & Christmas) | Monday – Friday 9:00am- 1:15pm (first 6 months) 1:30pm – 5:30pm (last 6months)
Course Fee: $20,900
Applicants may apply online or in person (please contact the school to book an appointment if applying in person)
Step 1: Initial Application
Applicants must have one of the following prerequisites:
17 years of age or older with a copy of Grade 12 diploma (or transcripts) from a Canadian high school or an equivalent institution worldwide, or
Successful completion of Government Equivalency Diploma (GED), or
Mature Placement: If applicant does not possess a high school diploma or GED, the may apply as a mature student (over 19)
Note: High school students may apply during their final year of study (Grade 12), however, cannot begin studies at VADA until proof of graduation is provided
Additional Requirements:
Application Fee: $75
300 Word Essay (minimum) on the subject of:
Why would you like to become an actor?
Why do you feel VADA is the right school for you?
1 Headshot Photo (Does not need to be professionally done)
Copy of Valid Passport (can be sent AFTER learning of acceptance decision)
International Students (English Requirement)
Must provide all of the above requirements and proof of one of the following English Proficiency Test Scores:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5.5 or higher
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) score of 65 or higher
Pass an oral interview with an Admissions Advisor.
Step 2: After submitting applications and support documents
Staff will follow up to request/confirm documents received.
Staff will schedule an Entrance Interview (conducted by phone or Skype with a member of the Admissions Board).
Step 3: Audition Monologue
If applicant successfully passes Entrance Interview:
Applicants will be assigned a monologue to audition by the Admissions Board
Applicant is given 4 days to prepare, perform, videotape, then send back their performance by email attachment
Staff will follow up to confirm that the monologue has been received
Staff will confirm if applicant has been accepted
Step 4: Letter of Acceptance and Tuition Deposit
Applicant is accepted into the program and sent an email with the acceptance package
Applicant will be given 2 weeks to send their tuition deposit to hold their seat in the program:
50% deposit (International students)
Note: Payment plans can be created for the remainder of tuition (Note: There is a $250 administrative fee on a payment plan)
Course Duration: 52 Weeks (Includes 2 Week Breaks in Summer & Christmas) | Monday – Friday 9:00am- 1:15pm (first 6 months) 1:30pm – 5:30pm (last 6months)
International Student Course Fee: $25,000
Applicants may apply online or in person (please contact the school to book an appointment if applying in person).
Full Curriculum
Acting classes cover all aspects of acting technique, theory and prep work–starting with script analysis and exploration, character development, making strong choices, high/low status, sense memory, listening drills, subtext, taking actions and achieving the acting goals that you set for yourself.
As a student, you will also learn the technical side of acting for the camera including camera angles, shot sizes, continuity, marks and hitting them, lighting, closeup vs wide shot acting adjustments, the basic way of shooting a scene, on-set equipment and terminology and much more.
Building on what you learn from the “Acting & Camera Tech” class working on Film & TV scenes, here you explore contemporary play writing.
The refined and challenging writing of plays not only sharpens and enhances the actor’s abilities, it enables them to then take a Film & TV script (from a locally shot production as an example) and approach it with ease and confidence, giving them a better success rate in getting acting gigs.
The audition process is an art onto itself. It is the few moments when the quality of your performance determines getting the job or not.
Cold read audition techniques are drilled on and off-camera until confidence is achieved. Focus is also put on making a believable performance in an unreal environment.
All work in this class is filmed on-camera and reviewed, allowing you to improve your skills by visual critique.
Many Commercials, Features Films and TV series employ improvisation in the audition room as well as on set. Students are taught the art of improvisation so that they may call on these skills at any time.
We use exercises in character, spontaneity, focus, give and take, comic pairings, listening, short and long form and a whole host of others to round out this course.