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Director - Theatre and Film
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Theatre directors are authors of live, theatrical events. They may work in many areas, styles, and genres of theatre. Or they may specialize in 1 or 2 of the following:
Directors may choose scripts to interpret themselves or work with scripts chosen by the people who hired them.
Theatre directors work collaboratively with a creative team that includes:
They also work with a production team that includes:
Theatre directors communicate a unifying vision or concept for the production to all the creative and technical teams. Their responsibilities vary from one production to another, but in pre-production, directors generally:
With new works, theatre directors also may work closely with playwrights about changes to the script. They may workshop a script by rehearsing it with the playwright and actors.
During rehearsals, theatre directors:
Often a play has a short period of technical rehearsals to add all the design elements. Then it has 1 or more dress rehearsals with an audience before opening night. These give directors a last chance to make changes. This is to ensure that no matter when the audience sees the show, it is consistent across all performances.
After a play opens, the director’s job usually is complete. However, in small theatre companies, directors may sometimes be involved in pre- or post-show chats. They may introduce the play. They may also meet with the audience after the show to discuss the play’s themes or issues or the production’s interpretation. They may also facilitate discussion panels.
Theatre directors usually rehearse a play for 2 to 5 weeks before the first public performance. During this time, they often work a 6-day week of 8-hour days. However, the last few days before opening night may be longer due to adding technical elements.
Rehearsals generally are conducted in rehearsal halls. These may range in size and style and include open lobbies, multiuse basement rooms, studios, and well-equipped rehearsal halls.
Technical and dress rehearsals take place in the actual performance space. Usually, the cast and crew get 2 to 10 days in the theatre before opening night.
At times, directors work outside of theatres in sites specifically selected for their interpretation of the performance.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Directors
2023 OaSIS: 51120.02
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Theatre directors need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 56 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 04, 2022 and Oct 03, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Co-ordinate and direct the photography of production | 29 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Determine lighting, lenses, camera angles and backgrounds | 27 |
| Tasks: Supervise staff or team | 27 |
| Attention to detail | 26 |
| Tasks: Plan, organize and direct the artistic aspects of production | 26 |
| Work under pressure | 24 |
| Type of Media: Film | 23 |
| Type of Media: Video | 22 |
| Postproduction direction | 20 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 19 |
In talent-based occupations such as directing, related education does not guarantee success but is widely considered an asset. Many directors hold a bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre. Others have a master’s degree in fine arts.
Many theatre directors shift into directing after gaining experience as cast or crew members. Many are experienced actors or writers. Sometimes, they wrote the play they are directing. Others are former stage managers.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
To get hired, theatre directors need related education as well as 5 to 10 years of experience in the industry. Prospective directors should obtain hands-on experience in as many areas of theatre production as possible, such as acting, writing, stage managing, and choreography. They should also make as many contacts as possible in their field.
To gain experience, aspiring theatre directors may:
Theatre directors may become artistic directors. Many theatre companies in Canada have an artistic director leading the artistic vision of the theatre.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
2016 NOC: 5131
76.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Directors who work on a contract basis negotiate their fees before production begins.
In a professional environment, theatre directors’ fees are determined by a variety of factors such as the size and type of theatre. Weekly rates are based on an agreement set by the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres.
In a non-professional environment, salaries for theatre directors are dependent on experience and reputation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $19.60 | $46.15 | $29.68 | $28.21 |
| Overall | $19.47 | $50.48 | $34.40 | $33.75 |
| Top | $23.70 | $64.90 | $40.52 | $42.60 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $63,030 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $58,605 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $88,747 |
Canadian Actors’ Equity Association website: www.caea.com
Cultural Human Resources Council website: www.culturalhrc.ca
Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) website: www.pact.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
