Sheridan College Musical Theatre
Canada's leading college program for musical theatre performance training
Overview
Sheridan College's Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance is widely considered the top musical theatre training program in Canada. Located in Oakville, Ontario, the program offers a four-year honours degree combining acting, singing, and dance.
Students train with experienced professionals and perform in fully staged productions throughout their degree. The program emphasizes triple-threat skills, preparing graduates for careers on stage in musicals, plays, and concert performances.
How It Works
Sheridan's musical theatre graduates are prominently represented on Canadian and international stages, including Mirvish Productions, Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, and Broadway. The program's alumni network is one of its strongest assets.
Tuition follows Ontario college and university rates, with additional costs for materials and travel to auditions. Scholarships and bursaries are available for incoming and continuing students.
Who Uses It
Sheridan is the premier destination for musical theatre training in Canada. The program's combination of rigorous training, industry connections, and a supportive creative community makes it the top choice for aspiring Canadian musical theatre performers. The program has produced an extraordinary number of working professionals who appear regularly in major productions across Canada, the United States, and internationally. Sheridan's final-year industry showcase is one of the most attended student showcases in the country, with agents, casting directors, and producers actively scouting for new talent.
Pricing & Plans
Tuition for the Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance at Sheridan follows Ontario university and college rate structures, typically ranging from $6,000 to $8,000 CAD per year for domestic students. International students pay significantly more, with tuition fees generally between $20,000 and $25,000 CAD per year. Additional costs include dance shoes, sheet music, voice lessons, audition travel, and other performance materials that can add several thousand dollars annually. Sheridan offers entrance scholarships based on audition merit and academic achievement, as well as bursaries for students with financial need. The four-year degree length means the total financial commitment is substantial, but it compares favorably to private musical theatre programs in the US, which can cost two to three times as much. OSAP funding is available for eligible Ontario residents, and the college supports students in accessing external scholarship opportunities.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Sheridan's musical theatre program has the strongest industry placement record of any training program in Canada, with graduates consistently booking leading roles in professional productions. The four-year degree format allows for deep development of all three disciplines: acting, singing, and dance, producing genuinely skilled triple threats. Faculty members are accomplished professionals who maintain active careers and bring current industry insight into their teaching. The program's connections to Mirvish Productions, Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, and Charlottetown Festival provide direct pathways to professional employment. The alumni network is exceptionally strong and supportive, with graduates actively mentoring and hiring younger Sheridan alumni. The Oakville campus provides dedicated performance spaces and studios that create an immersive training environment focused entirely on musical theatre.
What Could Be Better
The program's location in Oakville places students outside of Toronto's urban cultural scene, which can feel isolating compared to training in the city center. The highly competitive audition process has a very low acceptance rate, making admission far from certain even for talented performers. The four-year commitment is longer than many musical theatre training programs, which delays entry into the professional workforce. The program's intense focus on musical theatre means students receive less exposure to straight plays, film acting, and other performance disciplines. Tuition and associated costs over four years represent a significant financial investment in a field where career stability is not guaranteed. Some students report that the pressure-cooker environment can be stressful, and the comparison culture within a cohort of highly talented performers can impact mental health.
Our Recommendation
Sheridan's musical theatre program is the clear top choice for Canadian students who are certain they want to pursue a career in musical theatre. If you are a genuine triple threat with strong skills in acting, singing, and dance, this program will take you to the next level and connect you with the industry. Students who are uncertain about musical theatre specifically should consider broader theatre programs that allow more exploration. Those who cannot commit to four years should look at shorter certificate or diploma programs, keeping in mind that they will sacrifice depth of training. Actors focused on straight plays or screen work should pursue programs with a different emphasis. We recommend Sheridan wholeheartedly for committed, talented performers who understand the demands of the program and the realities of the musical theatre profession.
Pro Tips
Begin preparing for the audition at least a year in advance, working with a voice teacher, acting coach, and dance instructor to present the strongest possible package. Choose audition repertoire that showcases your unique qualities rather than trying to impress with technically difficult material that is beyond your current skill level. During the program, maintain your physical fitness rigorously, as the demands of simultaneous acting, singing, and dance training are intense and injuries can derail your progress. Build relationships with every guest artist and industry visitor, as these connections frequently lead to professional opportunities after graduation. Start attending professional auditions during your later years in the program to build experience with the audition process and get your face known in the industry. After graduation, leverage the Sheridan alumni network aggressively by reaching out to graduates working in your target companies, as alumni loyalty in this program is exceptionally strong.