Registration for 2025 Summer Camps is now OPEN!
SUMMER 2025 – YOUR TIME TO SHINE!
Rooted in bravery and belonging, the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy offers a profoundly positive approach to arts education that’s dedicated to cultivating talent, confidence, and creativity in every student.
Our EPIC Summer Camps give like-minded youth a chance to have fun, make lasting friendships, and build life-skills while learning about the exciting world of live theatre in a fun, safe and welcoming environment. Our experienced faculty is comprised of passionate Canadian industry professionals who are also accomplished educators dedicated to providing relevant knowledge and personalized guidance to help students take risks to reach their full potential.
Musical Theatre Summer Camps
By studying material from age-appropriate musicals, performing arts participants gain fundamental training in singing, movement, improv, and scene work. They’ll become familiar with reading sheet music, creating character and learn how to enhance their sense of focus and stage presence. Participants will attend specialty workshops such as on-camera acting technique, stage combat, puppetry, and audition skills plus virtual mentor Q&A’s.
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Step right up and experience the thrill and spectacle of the circus! Participants will dive into show-stopping songs and scenes that celebrate the magic of the big top. Perform bold and exciting pieces from Pippin, Matilda, The Greatest Showman, and Barnum (subject to change). It’s time to raise the curtain and let your creativity soar in this exciting circus-themed adventure!
Dates: Monday, August 11 to Friday, August 15
Ages: 8 – 16
Location: Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre (61 Maria St, Penetanguishene)
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $395 plus tax
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Join the ultimate showdown on stage. Step into a world of epic adventures and unforgettable characters with this thrilling week inspired by legendary heroes and infamous villains. Participants will explore stories of courage, conflict, and redemption through music and theatre. Bring bold characters to life with material from Annie, Beauty and the Beast, Wicked, and Beetlejuice. Get ready for a week of powerful performances and epic storytelling where heroes rise and villains steal the spotlight!
Dates: Monday, August 18 to Friday, August 22
Ages: 8 – 16
Location: Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre (61 Maria St, Penetanguishene)
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $395 plus tax
A typical day:
9:00am-10:15am First Class
10:15am-10:30am Break
10:30am-12:00pm Second Class
12:00pm-12:45pm Lunch
12:45pm-2:15pm Third Class
2:15pm-2:30pm Break
2:30pm-4:00pm Fourth Class
Summer Camps are $395 + HST.
Family Discount: 10% discount for each additional member of the immediate family from the same household.
Multi Class Discount: 10% discount for each additional summer camp attended by the youth/teen.
Indigenous youth under 18 will receive free tuition for Youth Academy training programs. Read More
We strive to ensure that all young people, regardless of financial circumstances, are able to participate. Inquire about our flexible payment plans and financial assistance programs.
Complimentary supervised drop off available at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up until 4:30 p.m.
Please plan to bring water and a packed lunch.
Meet Your Camp Leaders
Andrew Perry
Born and raised in the GTA Andrew discovered his passion for theatre in high school. After graduating from Sheridans Music Theatre programme and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with his MA in Musical Theatre, Andrew has been working across Canada and abroad.
During the pandemic Andrew moved to Newfoundland to help open and establish Nomad Stages, a performing arts training studio where he taught singing, dance and acting. After three years of teaching Andrew decided it was time to move back to Toronto to follow his passion of performing and teaching.
Notable Credits: Manager/Ensemble – Elf The Musical, (Magnus) Berger – Hair (Hart House) Dan – Next to Normal, Lonny – Rock of Ages, Bob – 9 To 5, Mitch Mahoney – 25th….Spelling Bee, St. Jimmy – American Idiot, Brit –We Will Rock You, (Stephenville Theatre Festival), Uncle Fester (Edinburgh Fringe).
Will Parry
Will Parry (they/he) is an actor-singer based in Toronto. Selected credits include Milky White & Others in Into the Woods (Koerner Hall), Seán/Donald The Leprechaun in The Wild Rovers (Smile Theatre), Toto in Wizard of Oz: The Panto (Drayton Entertainment), Magician/Demonstrator in Illusionarium (Starvox Entertainment), and Scuttle in The Little Mermaid (SLC Stage). They have also performed in solo cabarets with Theatre Gargantua, Icarus Theatre, and a self-produced virtual cabaret during the pandemic, Here I Am: A Cabaret. He is a graduate of the St. Lawrence College Music Theatre Performance Program. Follow along with Will’s shenanigans at @willxparry and check out their website www.will-parry.com.
Meet Your Guest Workshop Leaders
AJ Bridel
Drayton Entertainment (Select): Lauren in Kinky Boots, Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan in Peter Pan: The Panto. Other Theatre (selected): Claire in Chris, Mrs., Sherrie Christian in Rock of Ages (More Ent.), Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival), leading roles in several Ross Petty Pantos, Lauren in Kinky Boots (Mirvish). Film/TV: Odd Squad (TVO Kids), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Private Eyes (Global), Voice of Pipp Petals in My Little Pony (Netflix), Caillou (Peacock) Insta and tiktok @ajbridel
Alex Wierzbicki
Drayton Entertainment: Doody in Grease. Other theatre (selected): Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Thousand Island Playhouse); Keno/Teddy in The Full Monty (Capitol Theatre Port Hope); Neil Sedaka/Righteous Brother in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (StageWest); Donkey in Shrek (Western Canada Theatre); Steve in RENT, Ensemble in Richard II (Stratford Festival); Peter in Peter’s Final Flight (Ross Petty Panto). Film/TV: Host on YTV’s The Zone & The Zone Weekend.
Stephanie Pitsiladis
Stephanie made her professional debut in the Mirvish production of Hairspray in 2004 where she was the first Canadian to perform the role of Tracy Turnblad. She has revisited the role across the country multiple times with the Charlottetown Festival, Drayton Entertainment, Rainbow Stage, and Mayfield Theatres.
Stephanie also founded and ran a successful semi-professional theatre program from 2007 – 2011 and coached the Laval Liberty Improv team which competed in the Canadian Improv Games.
Other credits include: Grease, Little Shop of Horrors, Man of La Mancha, Steel Magnolias, Snow White: The Panto, Aladdin: The Panto, The Gefilte Fish Chronicles, The Importance of Being Earnest, History of Rock and Roll: Stars and Stripes, Class of ’63: A Rockin’ Reunion, My Fair Lady, The Christmas Express and Kinky Boots.