Metro Prep Academy’s SMITH program has been 25 years in the making. Artistic Director Ryan Seeley has been teaching talented students, grades 7 through 12, acting, directing, music, and the humanities at MetroPrep since 2001.
This specialized arts initiative offers students the opportunity to deeply explore their creative talents while studying at one of Toronto’s most unique and respected independent schools. Through SMITH, students engage in all that Metro Prep offers academically while immersing themselves in an extensive range of arts classes, including Music, Media Arts, Visual Arts, Theatre, and Film. Each subject is taught by experienced professionals who bring real-world expertise to the classroom, creating a conservatory-like setting where students naturally uncover and refine their artistic voices.
Throughout their journey, students also encounter the ideas and imaginations of the world’s greatest thinkers, writers, leaders, and historians through Metro Prep’s enriched humanities programming. This unique approach weaves together the academic and the artistic in a way unmatched by any other school in the country, fostering a well-rounded and inspiring foundation for each student’s future.
SMITH is founded on the belief that the arts are not separate from academic excellence, they are an essential part of it.
SMITH Spotlight
Exploring SMITH
Click the letters in SMITH to explore our School of Music, Integrated Arts, Theatre, and Humanities.
Walking into Metro Prep, you’ll quickly notice that it is not your “old-fashioned” private school.
The academics are structured and challenging, yet the environment is supportive and nurturing. Faculty and administration doors are open, encouraging strong relationships with students and their families. No uniforms are in sight, allowing young men and women to express their individuality.
In this comfortable setting, Metro Prep’s students are taught to trust their instincts, to think both critically and creatively, ask questions, and seek the assistance they need to succeed.
Students in our SMITH Program study Music, Media Arts, Visual Arts, Theatre and Film.
What stands out about music at Metro is the Alternative Orchestra. Since 2007, a group of musicians at various levels of experience have been playing classic music from all generations together, live. Every year the orchestra welcomes new players and evolves into a unique band of diverse students and teachers.
- Contemporary creative writing techniques
- Student centered approach
- Extensive archives and library of classics
- International Humanitarian trips
- Expert faculty that are masters in their craft
- Strong focus on independent thinking
- Locally designed courses
Integrated Arts focuses on blending traditional subjects with modern curriculum. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of creative outlets in one class. Metro Prep believes this approach provides necessary preparation for anyone looking to pursue post-secondary education programs in the arts and entertainment field. Our instructors are both certified teachers and working professionals in their given field who bring hands-on experience and industry perspective to the classroom. Students work in a practical studio environment where they are encouraged to work creatively, collaboratively.
- Industry standard design/film programs
- Fully functional visual art studio
- On site art gallery
- Exhibit curation
- Photography lighting and
- Immersive field trips and workshops
- Documentary filmmaking
An honest connection between an actor and director should never be underrated, especially in the theatre. Theatre at Metro began with the building of our very own black-box studio in 2001. This constantly evolving space has seen productions of the classics and the modern avant-garde. The success of our program is the direct result of disciplined training, bold design and staging plays that matter.
- Blackbox Theatre
- Set Design
- Voice Training
- Sound Design
- Method Acting
| PAST PRODUCTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Animal Farm by Peter Hall | 2026 |
| Almost Famous by Cameron Crowe | 2025 |
| Frankenstein by Nick Dear | 2024 |
| JOHN by Annie Baker | 2023 |
| SWEAT by Lynn Nottage | 2022 |
| Once by Edna Walsh | 2019 |
| The Flick by Annie Baker | 2018 |
| Of Mice And Men | 2017 |
| The First Waltz | 2016 |
| Lord Of The Flies | 2015 |
| A Lie Of The Mind | 2013 |
| Better Living | 2011 |
| God Of Carnage | 2010 |
| The Waynes | 2009 |
| Escape From Happiness | 2008 |
| My Favourite Movie Is Jaws | 2007 |
| Buried Child | 2006 |
| Can You See Me Yet? | 2005 |
| Waiting For Godot | 2004 |
| The Laramie Project | 2003 |
| The Crucible | 2002 |
- Contemporary creative writing techniques
- Student centered approach
- Extensive archives and library of classics
- International Humanitarian trips
- Expert faculty that are masters in their craft
- Strong focus on independent thinking
- Locally designed courses
| NOTABLE AID PROJECTS | |
|---|---|
| Amazon River, Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador | |
| Oldonyowas, Tanzania, Africa | |
| Nyeri Town, Kenya, East Africa | |
| San Pedro Town, Belize, Central America | |
| Moratuwa, Sri Lanka | |
| San Pedro Town, Belize, Central America | |
“Medicine, law, business, engineering: these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love...these are what we stay alive for.”
Joining SMITH
Acceptance into SMITH is based on an audition/portfolio and interview. Auditions are held throughout the year and are by appointment only.
Prospective students who thrive in one or more artistic fields can apply for merit based SMITH Scholarships. Merit-based entrance scholarships for Canadian residents range from $1,000 to $20,000.
For more information please contact [smith_email].
Beyond SMITH
A great education reaches beyond textbooks, connecting classroom learning with real-world insights. For over 44 years, Metro Prep has been expanding students’ minds through immersive field trips, world-class productions, and professional industry collaboration. Whether it is under the bright lights of Broadway or under the stars above Tanzania, showing our students the world is something we do well.
At the heart of SMITH is a genuine love and understanding of the importance of the arts in all our lives, enriching our education in ways that inspire and inform every student. This foundation is why SMITH is also designed as a welcoming space for students pursuing careers in STEM-related fields. We believe that no matter the destination, the arts bring value and perspective that benefit every academic path.
Across all subjects, Metro Prep places a strong emphasis on preparing students for post-secondary success, helping 99% of our graduates gain entrance to the university or college of their choice. By blending arts, academics, and real-world exposure, we nurture the well-rounded, prepared, and engaged individuals who stand ready to thrive in whatever field they pursue.
Ryan Seeley is the Principal and founder of SMITH – Metro Prep Academy’s new School of Music, Integrated Arts, Theatre and Humanities in Toronto. He has been teaching the Arts and Humanities at Metro Prep since 2001. Prior to this, Ryan earned his Master’s degree in Drama at the University of Toronto. He is a graduate of the British American Drama Academy at Oxford University, U.K. and received his Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Guelph. Outside of teaching, Ryan is a professional actor, director and musician and lives with his daughter, Scarlett and his wife, Courtney in Hamilton.
