Rosebud School of the Arts is grateful to be living and creating near the Akokiniskway River on Treaty 7 territory, the ancestral home of the Blackfoot Nations.

We hope to follow in their footsteps with grace and understanding as we share in the age-old tradition of storytelling in honour of our Creator.

Rosebud School of the Arts is a guild school that provides post-secondary theatre training within a community of professional working artists. Students receive personalized guidance, mentoring, and practical training to prepare them for a career in the performing arts.

Rosebud School of the Arts is a non-profit charitable educational institution recognized by the Alberta Legislature through the passage of the Rosebud School of the Arts Act (RSA 1988) as an institution of higher learning in both the theoretical and practical fields of the Fine Arts for the betterment of society as an expression of Christian values. The school works alongside Rosebud Theatre, a professional theatre company that welcomes over 40,000 patrons a year. Rosebud Theatre shows are performed and produced by a resident company of artists who also provide apprenticeship opportunities for students from Rosebud School of the Arts.

Rosebud is located about an hour east of Calgary, Alberta, nestled in a valley, along a winding river that flows through fields and badlands. This rural setting allows students to focus on developing their own unique, passionate voice that will ultimately contribute in a meaningful way to theatres in Alberta and across Canada. Our goal is to produce story-tellers willing and able to explore material covering the variety of mandates expressed by the wide spectrum of theatres within our province and beyond.
The complete Professional Theatre Training Programme at RSA is comprised of a 1-year Certificate in Theatre Foundations Programme and a 3-year Mentorship Programme. Many of our students arrive intending to complete only the Certificate Programme – which is a great opportunity to decide if the theatre life is right for you. Others commit with certainty to the full 4-year training, ultimately leaving to pursue professional placements with reputable companies in Canada and elsewhere.

Students who are thinking about a year off from school before committing to a degree program elsewhere, will find the eight-month Theatre Foundations Programme to be a great option. Here, students are given time to reflect, explore and create – while gaining confidence and skills that will serve in all aspects of professional development, no matter which path they select.
What sets RSA apart?
  • Each year RSA students travel to New York City, London, U.K., or Canada’s West Coast to immerse themselves in theatre, workshops, and tours.
  • Advanced students apprentice with the acclaimed team of professionals at Rosebud Theatre.
  • Small class sizes and one-on-one coaching for advanced students provide unique opportunities for skill development and mastery.
  • We provide arts training within a community of faith-based artists where students are inspired to become catalysts for transformation in our world.

Our Programmes

Certificate in Theatre Foundations – 1 year

Eight exciting & rewarding months immersed in Rosebud’s theatre culture with classes in all aspects of theatre. You will experience the rigors and rewards of artistic training, gain a healthy understanding of your talents, and be equipped with a broad range of theatre skills for future endeavors in the arts.

Classes include acting, singing, movement, technical theatre, visual art, and more. At the end of the year, you will perform in a movement show produced by Rosebud Theatre as part of our "Artist in Training" series.

More information: Theatre Foundations - Rosebud School of the Arts
Diploma Programme – 2 years

This intensive training will provide you with experience in various theatre disciplines, culminating in two shows performed and produced on the Rosebud Studio Stage. More information: Mentorship - Rosebud School of the Arts
Mentorship Programme – 4 years

Work with us to prepare for your career in theatre or music by training under the guidance and mentorship of skilled instructors and talented professional artists. Upon completion of this programme, you will be inducted into the Rosebud School of the Arts Guild as a Fellow of Rosebud School of the Arts (F.R.S.A.).

Mentorship offers training in four disciplines:

Acting - Rosebud School of the Arts
Music Performance - Rosebud School of the Arts
Theatre Arts - Rosebud School of the Arts
Technical Theatre - Rosebud School of the Arts

Interested? Learn more by attending an Open House

Attend our free Open House and get a taste of what the Rosebud School of the Arts has to offer. Attend a brief presentation and tour designed specifically for prospective students. Parents and friends are also welcome. RSA staff will be on hand throughout to answer any questions you may have.

Contact our Recruitment Officer to inquire about our next RSA Open House or see Open House - Rosebud School of the Arts
Get a taste of what’s ahead: Book an RSA weekend

Experience Rosebud. Participate in classes and hang out with students, instructors and community members. Take in a show at Rosebud Theatre, work in hospitality, experience small town life, and reflect on the direction your life is meant to take. By the end of the weekend, you will have a good sense of whether or not Rosebud is the right place for you.

Contact our Recruitment Officer to inquire about upcoming RSA Weekends or see RSA Weekend - Rosebud School of the Arts

“The RSA Weekend was an opportunity to get immersed in the school and discover if I was ready for this stage in my life. I found it to be an exciting opportunity to meet instructors, and students. It made me comfortable for classes in the fall and it helped shape my decision to attend Rosebud School of the Arts." (Amy, Mentorship student)

Ready to apply?