Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy
Launches Free In-School Workshop Program
The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy is thrilled to announce a new in-school drama workshop initiative, made possible through generous sponsorship from the Astley Family Foundation. Beginning this Fall, schools across Waterloo Region (Grades 4–8) can take part in a four-week theatre program delivered directly in classrooms – completely free of charge.
Rooted in the Ontario Drama curriculum, and the idea of dismantling barriers to quality arts education, this program pairs classroom teachers with professional theatre artists. Over the course of four weeks, students will participate in four one-hour workshops that build skills in improvisation, collaboration, and scripted performance. The experience culminates in a final presentation, giving students the opportunity to showcase their creativity, critical thinking, and theatrical growth.
Program Benefits:
- Hands-on learning led by professional teaching artists with real-world industry experience.
- Practical, evaluable activities and resources that teachers can continue to integrate into their classrooms beyond the program.
- Opportunities for students and educators to strengthen connections with the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy for future arts engagement.
As students navigate an increasingly complex world, the need for meaningful arts education, imagination and bravery has never been greater. This initiative bridges the expertise of classroom educators with the artistry of theatre professionals, fostering creativity, confidence, empathy, teamwork, and communication – skills that extend far beyond the stage and inspire the next generation of creators, storytellers, and community leaders.
This program is available from September 22 to December 12, 2025. Once requests are submitted, we will make every effort to accommodate them. If we are unable to schedule your request during this period, we will do our best to provide the program in the winter or spring terms.
To submit a request for this free program, please complete the form below.
Program Overview
This program sees industry professional instructors joining teachers in the classroom for four one-hour drama lessons over the course of four weeks.
Lesson One:
An industry professional instructor joins the classroom to lead students in a variety of improvisation activities, starting students on their creative journey through active group collaboration, fostering communication skills, and building confidence in themselves and their ideas.
Lesson Two:
The Instructor returns to introduce students to the world of scripted acting. This lesson sees students learning to break down a scene to uncover its themes, ideas, characters, and relationships, exploring the many ways theatre connects to the world around them.
Lesson Three:
With guidance from their instructor, students begin the task of staging their scenes, applying the creative skillset they have gained over the past few weeks in a practical manner. This lesson is student-led, with them having the opportunity to become theatre-makers in the classroom with support from their instructor and the classroom teacher.
Lesson Four:
Now having begun their creative process, students reach a key point in their journey: feedback on their work. After building their initial scenes, each student now receives feedback on how to take their work to the next level from their instructor, based upon their years of professional experience.
Optional Performance Day (led by classroom teacher):
Consolidating all of the learning that has taken place over the previous four weeks, students can now demonstrate the creative, analytical, and theatrical skillset developed in each class in a performance for their classroom teacher, with evaluation resources provided by the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy.
This program will be delivered on a first come, first served basis.
If you have any questions about the program please contact Chad McNamara, Education & Outreach Manager: chad@draytonentertainment.com.
The application is now closed.
