THPERF
We create our productions with high production values based on professional industry standards. The goal is for students to have an immersive experience of what it is like to work in a professional setting but with the safety net of an educational environment, and room to explore many avenues of theatre. Each student is mentored at their level and their growth is based on their capacity, drive, and passion.
Careers
In the fall and winter terms, we hire a co-op student as the publicity and outreach assistant for the term. They work alongside the dramaturgy team and publicity works studies to get the word out about the production, upcoming courses, workshops, career opportunities, and all things theatre at UWaterloo.
THPERF also participates in the Work-Study and International Work-Study Programs where eligible students may apply to the following positions: Assistant to the Technical Coordinator (TofA), Costume Shop Assistant, Wardrobe Shop Assistant, Box Office Assistant, and Publicity and Outreach Assistant. In their paid, part-time work, these students work with a staff supervisor and learn on the job in their area of interest while supporting the mainstage production, THPERF courses, rentals, outreach and admin.
Capstones
Students typically complete their capstone projects in their final year as THPERF majors in an area of specialty and/or interest they've acquired throughout their degree. Capstone applications are approved based on their previous experiences in the program and what productions are scheduled. The positions range from acting to design to upper administration. Capstones take on more independent leadership roles in this amalgamation of their learning. This term we have capstones in acting, props design and stage management.
Cast
Casting is determined by auditions open to all UWaterloo students. Those selected are enrolled in this course, where they not only rehearse and perform a large-scale production but also work with an acting coach who gives them strategies for creating a character, techniques for warming up and using their body and voice as tools for performance, as well as guidance on professional etiquette.
Technical
On the technical side, carpentry/paint, props, wardrobe, sound, lighting, and publicity all have student heads of department, who work under professional theatre makers and mentors to bring the visions of our guest artists and staff designers to life. In this upper-year course, they build on the skills they learned as crew members in previous terms and lead the current crew of second-year students. These crew members are learning and implementing new skill sets throughout the process.
The stage manager is a capstone student this year, who works alongside two upper-year student assistant stage managers to keep the process on track, under the guidance of a professional production manager.
Dramaturgy
Our dramaturgy students this term range from capstone actors to production heads, to any student interested in the class. They do in-depth research on the play, including its background, premise and themes; their work acts as a resource for those working on the production, which keeps the creative vision of the production grounded in the script. Their contributions have enriched audience outreach initiatives, the digital dramaturgy hub, and the pre-show engagement space.
