Dalhousie BA Theatre, Acting graduate Fiona Forsythe
Bachelor of Arts, with Honours in Theatre, Acting
Certificate in Theatre Creation
Certificate in Dance and Movement
Tell us a bit about yourself and life before you started university.
I grew up right here in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I started acting professionally in film when I was five years old. I spent one day on set and I immediately fell in love with the idea of being an actress.
Dal has been amazing in many aspects but one feature I have always admired is they have never made me let go of my interests outside of theatre. I have played on the Dalhousie Rugby Team for most of my time in the acting program and incorporated my love for basketball in our Devised show last year.
DalTheatre's 2025 Devised Learning Curve Directed by Matthew Thomas Walker, Set Design by Katrin Whitehead, Costume Designer by Catherine MacCaughan, Lighting Design by Bruce MacLennan(photo: Nick Pearce)
What is a memory from your first year that brings you joy?
In my first year myself and another girl in the program – Loralei – went up and did a crazy improv about both needing a seat on an airplane. Loralei ended up becoming my best friend. It was just one of the first moments of fun and play we got to have together that ended up building an entire four years full of great memories.
Tell me about a big accomplishment during your time here.
Getting to be a part of the fourth-year show Three Sisters when I was only in my third year. It gave me the experience of being in a show outside of my Acting program cohort, and helped me learn to adapt to new environments.
Dalhousie's Three Sisters, Directed by Diego Matamoros, Set and Costume Design by Tamara Marie Kucheran, Lighitng Design by Tegan Porter (photo: Kate Hayter)
What’s unique about the Fountain School?
The program allows students to explore so many different avenues of work in the theatre. In our final Acting class, Matt Walker had us all re-read our artistic introductions from our first year. I was shocked to find I only wrote ‘actor’. Through the school’s Certificates in Dance and Theatre Creation, and its inclusion of a third-year Devised show I’ve found so many different facets of the theatre that excite me. Now, I want to write, create, work backstage and direct in addition to acting.
Favourite class/ faculty while here and why?
It is so hard to pick just one. I would say the most surprising was our Dance classes with Véronique MacKenzie. I did not consider myself a dancer coming into this program. What I loved so much about V is that she met me at with my skill level, slowly encouraging me to gain more confidence in my capabilities. Now, I’m researching places to continue my dance training. It was great to find out that dance was not something I had to start when I was five.
How did your degree’s final stage production feel?
The Odyssey was amazing experience! Getting to work with Ken Schwartz as our director, someone who has built such strong roots in the theatre scene here in Nova Scotia was such a blessing. From the set design, to the costumes, every single part of our final show was incredible. All of us were especially proud of the work we were able to produce during such an uncertain time in the theatre community in Nova Scotia.
L-R: Bree Torgrimson as, Nausicaa, Fiona Forsythe as Penelope, Ella Haefele as Eurycleia. Dalhousie's 2026 The Odyssey. Directed by Ken Schwartz, Set Design by Eden Reshef, Costume Design by Sean Mulcahy, Lighting Design by Thunder Defayette. (photo: Kate Hayter)
Did you receive any financial support?
I was responsible for paying for my university myself. Even while we were in shows and rehearsing every night, I would still be working full time on weekends to pay for my tuition. I earned top grades in my classes which eventually led to me earning scholarships to offset my university fees.
The faculty nominated scholarships were a recognition of my hard work in the program. I was so thankful to have such a supportive, welcoming community surrounding me, and the ability to reduce my working hours in my final year.
How have you changed during your time at the Fountain School?
I’ve learned to adapt to my environment, lead teams, put forth my ideas and have confidence in my capabilities as a creative. I’ve gained an appreciation for so many different aspects of theatre. I am actively seeking out creative opportunities that give me a chance to write, and poetry readings where I can share my work.
What's your dream job?
Stratford, definitely. I am the biggest Shakespeare nerd.
Any advice for those starting the program this fall? - Invest early and stay open. On our very first day of class we were told we would get out of this program exactly what we were willing to put into it.
What's next for you?
I am building connections with professional companies, auditioning and staying open for what is to come. This May, I am going to be the Volunteer Coordinator for the Nova Scotia High School Dramafest. I would not be graduating Dal today if people from Nova Scotia’s theatre scene here had not taken time to invest in me when I was young.
3 adjectives for your Dal experience – Unpredictable, Rewarding and Joyous.
Dalhusie's 2025 Everybody Ensemble