Langara College pulls the plug on Studio 58 theatre-production program
The college cites a new financial climate created by the federal government’s capping of international-student study permits
Students in Langara College’s Studio 58 production program. Photo by Valeria Santos
WHEN THE FEDERAL government announced back in January 2024 that it would be implementing a cap on international student study permits, it had a number of goals in mind. It wanted to curb the strain on housing markets, and alleviate pressure on infrastructure and public services like healthcare. The move was also intended to crack down on private colleges exploiting foreign students and essentially using them as cash cows.
One of the knock-on effects of this policy, however, has been a negative impact on legitimate colleges and universities across the country, with financial pressures forcing many to lay off staff and cut programs.
Yesterday, for example, Studio 58—the professional theatre training program at Langara College—announced via a Facebook post that one of its long-standing components would be shutting down, in response to “a new financial climate”.
“Recently, the Production Program was put on pause to evaluate how to meet the current needs of the theatre industry while building a financially stable model,” the post read. “Following this review, the College made the difficult decision to suspend all future intakes. There are no plans to reopen the program.”
The Facebook post was later edited to clarify that Studio 58’s acting program will continue.
Over the years, a number of Studio 58 production graduates have gone on to win awards and take prominent positions with leading arts organizations. A 2006 grad, Rachel Peake, has directed for Vancouver Opera and the Arts Club, and currently holds the post of artistic director of the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario. The late Drew Facey, who graduated in 2007, won 18 Jessie Richardson Awards over his career. More recently, 2024 grad Starlynn Chen took home a 2026 Ovation! Award for her set design on Rent at Metro Theatre.
Langara’s announcement comes as institutions all across the country are slashing arts programs. And this is just the latest bad news from Langara in recent weeks. In late April, the college announced that it was no longer accepting students into its journalism program, effectively ending a program that had been in place since 1965.
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