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 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.
Acting Intensive
Our Acting Intensive Teens will study the fundamental building blocks for acting on stage and screen. Students will explore character development through improvisation and text analysis using age-appropriate monologues and scenes from a wide range of published plays. Participants will attend specialty workshops such as on-camera acting technique, stage combat, puppetry, and audition skills plus virtual mentor Q&A’s.
Technical Production Camp
Our Technical Production Week is for teens who want to learn more about making behind-the-scenes magic. Technical students will study set design, building and painting along with workshops such as stage management, wardrobe, props, lighting, sound and more!
Pre-Professional Triple Threat Advanced Training Intensive
This auditioned course will select only 25 pre-college and college students who are serious about pursuing a career in the performing arts. Students will work with highly skilled, working industry professionals to learn five unique, song and dance production numbers in addition to participating in Virtual Broadway Mentor Q&A’s and special in-person workshops in acting through song, monologue performance, audition technique, agent relations, improv, theatrical intimacy, and more.
Vocal Performance & Audition Skills Intensive
The Vocal Performance & Audition Skills Intensive is a one-week summer training program that will select 16 intermediate to advanced-level singers, aged 15-23, who are ready to take their vocal performance to the next level. Whether your focus is musical theatre or pop, this intensive will deepen your solo and ensemble skills while sharpening your audition technique and expanding your repertoire. The week includes attending a performance of the Drayton Entertainment production of Million Dollar Quartet and workshops with Juno Award-Winner, Stacey Kay.
The following camps will be at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, 145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo, Ontario:
Week 1: July 7 to July 11
Step into the spotlight with a week of high-energy fun, featuring rock and pop-inspired musicals! Participants will sing, dance, and act their way through iconic hits from mega-hit Broadway Musicals.
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 13): Material from School of Rock, Head Over Heels, Camp Rock, and High School Musical
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Also happening this week:
Vocal Performance & Audition Skills Intensive (by audition only)
Week 2: July 14 to July 18
Roll out the red carpet and experience the magic of movie-inspired musicals in this star-studded week! Participants will step into the world of blockbuster hits, exploring unforgettable songs and scenes.
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Newsies, Wicked, Legally Blonde, and Mary Poppins Returns
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Teens (12 – 18): Material from Footloose, The Greatest Showman, Xanadu, and Mamma Mia
Register for Teens Musical Theatre
Week 3: July 21 to July 25
Let young performers shine in this enchanting week designed just for kids! Participants will explore timeless classics and bring beloved child-lead roles to life.
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Billy Elliot, Oliver!, Peter Pan, and Anne of Green Gables.
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Also happening this week:
Technical Production Teens (12-18)
Register for Teens Technical Production
Pre-Professional Triple Threat Advanced Training Intensive (by audition only)
Week 4: July 28 to August 1
Step into a world of adventure and imagination with this fairy tale-inspired week! Participants will bring enchanting stories to life through song, dance, and acting.
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Shrek, Frozen, Tangled, and The Little Mermaid.
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Acting Intensive (12 – 18): Material from from Harry Potter, Into the Woods, Tuck Everlasting, and Alice in Wonderland.
Learn More
Week 5: August 11- August 15
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:
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Pippin, Matilda, The Greatest Showman, and Annie Get Your Gun.
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Teens (12 – 18): Material from Barnum, Once Upon a One More Time, The Greatest Showman, and Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Register for Teens Musical Theatre
Week 6: August 18- August 22
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:
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Beauty & the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Hercules, and Annie.
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Teens (12 – 18): Material from Les Mis, Hadestown, Wicked, and Beetlejuice.
Register for Teens Musical Theatre
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.
These camps will be held at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, a state-of-the-art training facility at 145 Northfield Dr. Waterloo.
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
Eric DaCosta
Eric has been touring the world for the last four years in Hanna Moscovitch’s award-winning show, Old Stock. Previous credits include: Jersey Boys, Annie, Honk!, Snow White: the Panto, Peter Pan: the Panto (Drayton Entertainment); Key Change (Globe Theatre Regina); and Hollywood Hits (Stage West Calgary).
Sophia Ingalls
Sophia is thrilled to be leading camps at DEYA this summer! Growing up in Waterloo, she spent many years performing as a competitive dancer and took part in many local musicals. Sophia is now a student in the music theatre program at St. Lawrence College/Queen’s University, where she is so grateful to be able to learn more about the art that she loves every day! Some past credits include Seussical (SLC) and Spring Awakening (Agnew Acting Studio). She is so excited to share her passion for theatre and for teaching with everyone at the Youth Academy!
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.
DJ Carroll
DJ Carroll is a director, performer, and magician with over 30 years’ experience in stage combat, improvisation, magic, juggling, special effects makeup and interactive comedy. For 24 of those years, DJ was a high school drama teacher and special education specialist with degrees in both Theatre and Education. He owns and operates the magic and entertainment company, Theatricks, and has led The Battle of Ontario Magicians, The Robin in the Hood Medieval Festival, as well as the Blythe and St Jacobs Harry Potter Festivals. He was the Shakespearean Teacher of the Year at the National Shakespeare Festival for 2010 and 2011, and is the proud recipient of a Waterloo Region Arts Award for Performing Arts.
Erick Fournier
Based out of Toronto, Erick is a bilingual (English/French) actor and performance combat artist and a graduate of the University of Toronto and Sheridan College joint Theatre and Drama Studies program. He is a Certified Fight Instructor with Fight Directors Canada and has taught at educational institutions of all levels, including George Brown College where he currently teaches on faculty at the Theatre School. Erick is also a professional stunt performer and has been a practicing martial artist since the age of 7. Selected credits include: AS FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER/DIRECTOR- Ghost: The Musical (Starvox Entertainment), Excalibur: La Légende Renaît (ÈSC. St-Frère-André), Hamlet (Unit 102/Freshmint Productions), Mauritius (The Village Players); AS PERFORMER- Murdoch Mysteries, Zik – Season 1 & 2 (TFO), Le Fa Le Do (Théâtre Français de Toronto, *Prix Rideau nomination), The Princess Knight and Sleepy Hollow* (Solar Stage, *Dora Award nomination).
Justin Bott
Justin Bott is an award-winning stage, voiceover and film/tv/commercial actor. He’s also a proud dad of two kiddos, a husband, an acting/voiceover coach and an amateur barista!
Recent credits include Cult Hero (Collingwood Film Co), Emerge (TLN Media), Wizard of Oz: The Panto and On Golden Pond (Drayton Entertainment)…and a few commercials. @justin.bott.a.mic @jeybott www.justinbott.com
Philip Pace
Philip Pace (he/him). Philip has spent the past two summers performing with the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival (Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, King Alonso in The Tempest, and George Hastings in She Stoops to Conquer). Selected credits include Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, My Fair Lady, Gigi, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The White Devil (Stratford Festival), King Lear, As You Like It, Arcadia (Colorado Shakespeare Festival), The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare Link Canada in Mozambique), Annie, Grease, Oklahoma! (Montana Summer Theatre), The Tempest (Nipissing Stage Company and Tour), Forever Plaid (Ontario Tour), Kilt (New Stages Peterborough), Romeo & Juliet (ShakespeareWorks), and Shakespeare Abridged (US National Tour). Training: Philip holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Bachelor of Education from York University. He is a graduate of the Stratford Festival’s Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training and the 2-year Professional Music Theatre Program at Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City. As an educator, Philip taught acting for 6 years in the Music Theatre Performance Program at St. Lawrence College and has taught elementary school for the past 18 years for the Toronto District School Board.
Simon Zenker
Simon is very excited to become part of Drayton Entertainment’s Youth Academy. As a performer who specializes in juggling and stunt shows for families and children, encouraging youth through the arts is something he takes great pride in. Simon recently graduated from Humber College with a Bachelor of Digital Communications. If you see Simon around, be sure to say hello and he may even show you a trick or two.
Stacey Kay
Stacey Kay received the GOLDEN BUZZER on City TV’s new season of Canada’s Got Talent, receiving a standing ovation from Simon Cowell! She is a Juno Award winning singer/rapper, and her song covers have received recognition from the original artists including BeBe Rexha, RuPaul, Meghan Trainor, Fergie, and Jennifer Hudson. Her unique and powerful singing voice paired with her machine-gun rapping has garnered her online videos millions of views with multiple videos going viral!
Check out her CGT performance here!
Stacey is a motivational speaker who travels the world spreading her message about body positivity, and what it is like being a curvy girl in the pop music industry. She has performed with/opened for David Foster, CeeLo Green, Stevie Wonder, Leslie Odom Jr., Bryan McKnight, Michael Bolton, and Carly Rae Jepson.
In 2020, Stacey became the song writer, producer and vocalist for Canada’s Drag Race host Brooke Lynn Hytes, and Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka. Stacey’s songs were featured on Drag Race Canada Season 2.
Stacey has a full-length album titled 11 O’Clock Number, and a comedic podcast with her sister called I Have To Call My Sister. Follow Stacey on all social media platforms to see what happens next! Insta: @staceykaymusic
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.
Please note: Guest Workshop Leaders will vary by week.
Leaders may change due to availability, without notice.
A Look Back at Summer Camp 2024
SUMMER CAMP TESTIMONIALS
“Because of the acceptance and inclusivity he experienced at the Academy, we really felt that we had gotten our son back after a long season of very difficult times. The Pandemic was particularly hard on him and we believe he finally found his place and his people. Thank you for your leadership and passion.”
“The building is such a welcoming space and really feels like a second home to my child! Everyone was so friendly and kind throughout the weeks and super welcoming to the parents too. We’ll be back! Also, very fair price for the program provided.”
“Thank you for doing a technical theatre camp!! My teen loves the world of theatre but has always known that their place of comfort is not centre stage! We will be back and continue to spread the word about what a wonderful place it is.”
“My child loved each and every one of the virtual guest speaker workshops. Learning from these incredible, professional actors and hearing their journeys and advice was really inspiring. All of a sudden, things seem possible for her in new and exciting ways. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Learning from different choreographers was an incredible experience. Each of them has their own way of teaching and engaging with the students. Different dances on different difficulty levels really challenged the kids in the best way. I feel the cost reflects the fact that you have professionals teaching the kids. So it may be higher than other programs, but it’s totally worth it.”
“As a parent… WOW on the well thought out, executed spaces! The wardrobe room was the our favourite…made our jaws drop to the floor ..so many clothes and time periods. Like learning in a museum. Bravo!”
Conduct Policies
Please refer to our DEYA Code of Conduct to familiarize yourself with our conduct policies prior to the start of camp.