The DEYA Team
Director of Education
David Connolly
David is the Associate Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment, Director of Education for their Youth Academy, and proud Co-Chair of their EDI Committee. He is also an active Disability and Inclusion Advocate who is deeply committed to changing the statistic of being the only male amputee to have performed on Broadway. He is a recipient of The Ontario Premier’s Award of Excellence and active member on the DEI Committee of the International Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance. For the past four years, David has curated and moderated a Disability Inclusion Panel at BroadwayCon in New York City and has proudly served as a peer assessor for The Canada Council for the Arts.
As an Educator, David has been an Adjunct Professor and Advisor to the Musical Theatre Performance Programs at Western University, Wilfred Laurier University, Sheridan College, Randolph College, VanderCook College and most recently, the Hopkins Centre for the Arts at Dartmouth College.
Spring Session Instructor
Andrew Scanlon
Drayton Entertainment: Captain Hook in Peter Pan: The Panto, Barry Glickman in The Prom, Dusty in The War Show, The Padre in Man of La Mancha, Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone, Kinky Boots, Rocky: The Musical, Out of Order, Sleeping Beauty: The Panto, Snow White: The Panto, Footloose, Les Miserables. Other Theatre: Kinky Boots (Mirvish, First US National Tour, Tokyo & Osaka, Japan), Franklin Hart Jr. in 9 To 5 (Capitol Theatre), Vice Principal Panch in Spelling Bee (The Grand), The Beadle in Sweeney Todd (Neptune) Reginald in Screwball Comedy (Stage West, Calgary Critics Award Nomination), Leo in Dogbarked (The Globe), Director of Stealing Sam (Alberta Theatre Projects). Thanks to the TH gang, Alex, David and the entire Drayton Entertainment family.
Spring Session Instructor
Darryn de Souza
As the Music Director for the Canadian vocal supergroup, The Tenors, Darryn has shared the stage and worked with many legends: Paul Anka, David Foster, Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Harry Connick Jr., Kenny G, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Stevie Wonder, to name just a few. He also has spent time with and performed for many world & creative leaders, including Barack & Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
As an educator, Darryn has pioneered vocal and theatre programs around the province including the Milton Youth Theatre Productions, the Studio School of Dance, Brampton Theatre School, Yellow Door Theatre, and Centre Stage Conservatory, pushing creative programming and a teaching method for student toolkit and confidence building.
Besides being a gifted communicator, Darryn connects and builds strong rapport with young artists looking to grow and understand how to improve their craft through meaningful and responsible mentorship.
Spring Session Instructor
Hadley Mustakas
Drayton Entertainment: Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Kaylee in the Prom, Ali in Mamma Mia, Jane in Mary Poppins, and Wendy in Peter Pan. Other theatre: Sarah in Simone, Half and Half (Carousel Players), Liesl in The Sound of Music (Thousand Islands Playhouse), Sophie in Mamma Mia (Tweed & Company), and Ensemble in The Roaring Twenties (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia).
Hadley (she/her) has an Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance and a positive attitude! She likes to spread kindness, smiles, and sparkles! Hadley started dancing from a very young age and got her start in theatre through the youth opportunities with Drayton Entertainment. She is thrilled to encourage the magic of jazz hands in the inspiring generations to come.
Spring Session Instructor
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
Spring Session Instructor
Stacy Smith
Stacy Smith(she/her) is a Genie nominated performer, educator and coach. She has been a professional actor for over 25 years, working in theatres throughout the country and has worked extensively in television and film, with recurring roles on TV in “Rookie Blue” as Zoe Shaw and Sex & Violence starring Olympia Dukakis. Other select film/tv credits include: Law & Order Criminal Intent(Toronto), Monica’s News, Accused, Frankie Drake Mysteries, The Handmaids Tale, Designated Survivor, Murdoch Mysteries, The Detail, Sebastian, Flight of The Butterflies, Blackbird, Jessie Stone, Robson Arms, Relative Chaos, Blessed Stranger, Single Mom, Marion Bridge, Secrets Of Autumn, Wake, Running Into Edna, October 1970, Call Me Fitz, A Town Without Christmas, Heart of A Stranger and The Daily Blade. Theatre experience includes shows with Drayton Entertainment, Theatre Aquarius,
Neptune Theatre, Here For Now, Ships Company, Theatre New Brunswick, Atlantic Theatre Festival, Luna Sea, Off The Leash and Mermaid Theatre. Presently faculty includes Fanshaw College, Acting For Screen and Stage and Theatre Aquarius Theatre School. Other teaching experience includes St. Claire College, The Stratford Festival, Neptune Theatre School, Mohawk College, The Ivey Business School, Dalhousie University, The Foundation for Education, Huron Waves Festival as well as Stacy Smith Coaching which offers online on camera classes and personalized coaching. Stacy is a member of the association of acting coaches and educators.
Spring Session Instructor
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.
Show Tunes Wellness Instructor
Trayvon Ward
Trayvon Ward has a passion for assisting people in accomplishing their wellness objectives. They have previously worked as a coach and instructor at Anytime Fitness and Playground Movement Training Centre, NLC Dance Company and more. Trayvon has experience conducting group classes of varying sizes that concentrate on building self-esteem along with strength, endurance, flexibility, mobility and more.
Drayton Entertainment audiences will recognize Trayvon from his appearances in Mamma Mia!, The Prom, Kinky Boots and Peter Pan: The Panto.
According to Trayvon, exercising should always be fun and promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle that promotes all-round well-being. In these SHOW TUNES Wellness classes, Trayvon will offer personalized attention and guidance to musical theatre lovers by integrating a wide variety of exercises and techniques to maintain a fun and challenging atmosphere while ensuring that classes are accessible and FUN for everyone of all experience levels.
Faculty
Aaron Walpole
Aaron is excited to be making his Mayfield debut in Rock Of Ages as Lonny which he has performed for Mirvish as well as Drayton Entertainment. Some of his previous theatre credits include Les Miserables (Broadway/Toronto/Tour), Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway/Japan/ Stratford Festival), Kinky Boots (Tour/Japan), Camelot, Guys ’N Dolls, Anything Goes (Stratford Festival), Grease (Citadel Theatre), Rocky: The Musical, Man Of La Mancha, The Drowsy
Chaperone, West Side Story, You’ll Get Used To It: The War Show (Drayton Ent.), Damn Yankees, One Hit Wonders, Sweet Charity (Stage West). Aaron has also appeared in many film and TV productions over the years and has a self-titled album through Sony/BMG Canada. Enjoy the show!
Faculty
AJ Bridel
Drayton Entertainment: Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan in Peter Pan: The Panto. Other Theatre (selected): 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). AJ could not be happier to revisit Kinky Boots with this beautiful cast and crew! Big thanks to David, Alex and my whole Drayton family, Talent House and Bruce for the unwavering support. Insta and twitter: @ajbridel
Faculty
Andrea Macasaet
Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, is currently playing Mimi in the Stratford Festival Production of Rent. Previously, she originated the role of Anne Boleyn in SIX on Broadway after appearing in the same role at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, The Citadel Theatre and The Ordway Center of Performing Arts. Andrea is a graduate from The Canadian College of Performing Arts whose other credits include Canadian productions of Heathers: The Musical, Avenue Q, Miss Saigon and Prairie Nurse. On TV and Film, you may recognize her from Propose We Never See Each Other… (Bed Bugs film); Ratatouille: The Musical (BCEFA); and Guest Performer appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The View, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Good Morning America, and the Today Show @andrea.cesyl.
Faculty
Ashley St. John
Drayton Entertainment: Mamma Mia!, Velma in West Side Story. Other Theatre: Playing Attention (Theatre Making Movement), Mamma Mia (Mayfield), Tillie Boulter/Gertie Pie in Anne of Green Gables, Kronborg: The Hamlet Rock Musical, Swing in Mamma Mia (Charlottetown Festival), Sillabub in Cats (Panasonic), Carpet in Beauty & the Beast (Neptune), Young Frankenstein (Stage West Calgary), La Traviata (COC), Specialty Dancer (Celebrity Cruise Entertainment). Film/TV: Schmigadoon Seasons 1 & 2 (Apple TV+), In the Tall Grass (Cooperheart), Rise (Shaftesbury). Love to my family, friends and partner Evan for their endless support! @abstjohn
Faculty
Barbara Assiginaak
Composer, musician and educator Barbara Assiginaak is Anishinaabekwe (Odawa, Ojibwe and Potawatomi; Mnidoo Mnissing, Giniw dodem) is rooted in the oral/aural traditions of singing, drumming and the pipigwan/bbigon (cedar flute) since early childhood, during which time she also began learning about plant medicines passed down through the women in her family. The child and grandchild of residential school survivors, Barbara is also the direct descendant of hereditary chiefs who fought in the Indian Wars and in the War of 1812 and who also signed major treaties in Ontario. Barbara is also classically trained in piano (ARCT diploma), with a Bachelor of Composition degree from the University of Toronto, followed by studies at the Glenn Gould School (Composition, Piano Performance, Accompaniment and Chamber Music), at the Musikhochschule in München, Germany (Meisterklassen Diplom in Komposition, Aufbaustudium) and Centre Acanthes (France). She is currently Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Composition at the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University. She regularly performs her own songs and compositions with other musicians, and often as a soloist with leading orchestras and conductors.
Faculty
Blythe Wilson
Drayton Entertainment: Mamma Mia!, All Shook Up. Other Theatre: Mary Poppins (Broadway/US Tour), Sound of Music, Mamma Mia, Man of La Mancha (Mirvish), Billy Elliot, Guys and Dolls, Music Man, Oliver, Oklahoma (Stratford Festival), Home for the Holidays, A Christmas Carol (Grand Theatre), The Three Musketeers (Chicago Shakespeare), 25th Annual … Spelling Bee (Connecticut Rep), Mystery of Edwin Drood, She Loves Me, Happy End (Shaw Festival), The Last Five Years (Canadian Stage), Joseph … Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond (Chicago Theatre), Evita, Mary Poppins (Theatre Calgary/Citadel). Film/TV: The Handmaid’s Tale (MGM). I dedicate my season to the memory of the great Keith Dinicol.
Faculty
Chris James
Chris James is a talented martial artist. He has trained in Muay Thai, Kali, Capoeira, Boxing, Judo, and is an instructor in Commando Krav Maga. Proficient in a number of edge weapons, short and long gun tactics & disarms, and unarmed combat, Chris has used his training in stunts, stage combat, and fight directing to choreograph action on stage and screen. Always looking to pay it forward, he also started an in-school stage combat workshop in 2019 for high school arts programs all across Ontario.
Always striving to create a unique aspect to each moment, he can reveal the truth behind any instance using any object or action.
Faculty
Christine Watson
Christine Watson is a performer, choreographer and dance educator from Kitchener Waterloo. Christine is extremely passionate about teaching and enjoys sharing her love of the arts, while being a mentor and inspiration to today’s youth. Select credits, Sleeping Beauty: The Panto, Grease, West Side Story, Rock of Ages, Joseph…, Mamma Mia, All Shook Up, Footloose, Spamalot, The Wizard of Oz, 9 To 5: The Musical (Drayton Entertainment); Rock of Ages (Fallsview); Spamalot (Theatre Aquarius); Dance Legends (The Grand); A Chorus Line (Rose Theatre). Choreography credits include, Assistant Choreographer for Kinky Boots, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Jack and the Beanstalk (Drayton Entertainment); Bye Bye Birdie, The Full Monty, The Sound of Music, RENT (KWMP). Christine is also the senior choreographer for the renowned youth pop choir, KW Glee.
Faculty
Darren Burkett
Darren is so thrilled to be here at Drayton Youth Academy! As an actor himself,
national/international credits include performing in Matilda (1st National Tour) and Angelina Ballerina (International Tour). He has also performed across Canada
with such companies as The Ross Petty Panto, Stage West, Drayton
Entertainment, Thousand Island Playhouse, Western Canada Theatre, The Arts
Club Theatre, Chemainus Theatre Festival, and many more. Darren is the
recipient of the Jessie Richardson Award for Outstanding Performance and an
Ovation Award for Male Ensemble of the Year. Previous work as a
choreographer/assistant choreographer include Legally Blonde (Mainstage
Theatre), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Eclipse Theatre Company), Buddy (The
Globe Theatre), Edges (Two Monkeys Productions), A Funny Thing Happened…
and Guys and Dolls (Vancouver Lawyer Show), Eternal Hydra (Touchstone
Theatre) and the motion picture Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. He has
also been a theatre and dance educator and has taught around the globe for the
past 18 years.
Faculty
Devan Ballagh
Devan co-directs Studio 410 Productions Inc., a not-for-profit that promotes engagement and education in the arts, as well as 410Method, a deep health transformation program. Her debut album “A Million Little Pieces” is available now. Devan was in Drayton Entertainment Fiddler on the Loose (2022), Canada 151, Sorry … I’m Canadian, Canadian Loonie. Other Theatre (selected): Christmas Jamboree, East Coast Kitchen Party (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia), Canada/US StepCrew Tour, The Ballaghs Canada/Europe Tour, The Crew (Various).
Faculty
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.
Faculty
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: Annie, Honk!, Snow White: the Panto, Peter Pan: the Panto (Drayton Entertainment); Key Change (Globe Theatre Regina); and Hollywood Hits (Stage West Calgary).
Faculty
George Absi
George has been a professional dancer and choreographer for over 15 years. He was born and raised in Ottawa, ON where he trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap and Contemporary including A.D.A.P.T and R.A.D. He has danced for PSY, Deborah Cox, Kreesha Turner, Fefe Dobson, Aleesia and Classified, to name a few. George has appeared on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, Once Upon A Time, Handmaid’s Tale, Shitt’s Creek, Breakfast Television, Threads, and most recently appeared on PBS Kids, “Let’s Go Luna” as “Hakim” a principal role. Theatre credits include: Beauty and the Beast, Neptune; Mamma Mia! (Dance Captain/ Asst Choreographer) Aquarius/ WCT; Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert (Canadian Premiere – Jimmy ), Sleeping Beauty, The Panto, Newsies (Buttons), Kinky Boots (Canadian Premiere – Angel/ Dance Captain) Drayton Entertainment. George landed the role of assistant choreographer in the upcoming motion picture “Slumberland” starring Jason Mamoa and was assistant choreographer for the brand-new show “Ukulele U” on CBC focussing on children’s learning and diversity.
Faculty
Jackie Mustakas
Jackie began dancing at the age of three and started performing in musical theatre at the age of ten. She is an honours graduate of the Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College, and has been working professionally in the theatre business for 30 years. In 1998 she became a regular performer with Drayton Entertainment, and has continued to perform and choreograph for them until present. Selected theatre credits with Drayton are: Trish in Kinky Boots, Angie in The Prom, Donna and Tanya in Mamma Mia, Queen Diabolica in Snow White: The Panto, Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins, Miss Hannigan in Annie, The Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Polly Baker in Crazy For You, Shelby in Steel Magnolias, Lizzie in The Rainmaker, and Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, just to name a few. Jackie has also been a dance instructor for several dance studios, as well as a guest drama teacher in schools across Ontario. She continues to perform and teach, and share her passion for the Arts.
Faculty
Jason Franco
Jason is a choreographer / performer / instructor with over 35 years of professional experience. Ever since his first time onstage in ‘The King and I’, dance and theatre have always been a huge part of his life. He studied dance, voice and acting at various studios in Toronto as well as in NYC.
His work as a performer has taken him to many places around the world including The Charlottetown Festival, PEI (‘Anne of Green Gables’), London England’s West End (‘Casper – The Musical’) and NYC, in Chet Walker’s (‘Fosse’ / ‘Pippin’) company ‘8 and ah 1’ as well as dancing with Royal Caribbean Cruises. Locally, Jason has performed for 8 wonderful seasons with Drayton Entertainment (from 2000’s ‘Damn Yankees’ to 2016’s ‘Cinderella – the Panto’). Choreography credits include ‘Shrek’ for KWMP’, revue shows for Paramount Parks, ‘Annie’ & ’Can Can’ for TUTS, and ‘Legally Blonde’ at the Randolph Theatre in Toronto. In addition to these, Jason has choreographed productions for many secondary schools in Vancouver. Working with young and developing talent is one of Jason’s passions and he has been able to do so as an instructor at various studios including Harbor Dance Centre (Vancouver), the Randolph Academy (Toronto), Danse 1,2,3 (Montreal), Element Dance Arts (Cambridge) as well as being on the faculty of Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! (Vancouver) since 2004.
Faculty
Jesse Weafer
Jesse began his dance career at the early age of 6 at Jaymor School of Dancing in Aurora Ont. At age 12, he made his first professional debut in the Mirvish production of Jolson. By the time he was 14, he had performed alongside Michael Buble in the hit show Forever Swing. Theatre credits include; “Priscilla Queen of The Desert” (Stage West Calgay) “Kinky Boots” (Norwegian Cruise Lines) “Priscilla Queen of The Desert” (Drayton Entertainment) “Newsies” (Drayton Entertainment) “Jersey Boys” (Stage West Calgary) “ West Side Story” as Baby John (Drayton Entertainment) “Kinky Boots” (Original Canadian Company) Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Wizard of Oz” (Original Canadian Company and Original North American Tour Company), lead dancer in Cirque du Soleil’s – Criss Angel “BELIEVE” choreographed by Wade Robson in Las Vegas, the role of “IQ” in “Hairspray” (Original Canadian Company and 1st U.S Broadway National Tour), Hello Dolly and The Tempest (Stratford Festival of Canada). His film credits include; Carrie, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, The Music Man, Hairspray playing the role of “IQ” starring John Travolta, Queen Latifah and Michelle Pfeiffer. Jesse also appeared in the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance in Wade Robsonʼs piece “Homage to the Rabbits”. He also performed along side Shawn Desmond at the 2011 Juno Awards on CTV, Far East Movement and DEV at the 2011 MMVA’S. Jesse made his reality television debut in Canada’s hit show So You Think you Can Dance Canada season 3 as a top 16 finalist. He is thrilled to be living his dream everyday, and looks forward to spreading his passion and knowledge of dance for many years to come.
Faculty
Jodi McFadden
Jodi McFadden, originally from Kitchener, Ontario, has appeared on Broadway in Moulin Rouge!, The Band’s Visit and Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. Drayton audiences will remember her as Velma Kelly in Chicago as well as their productions of Little Me, Oklahoma!, Evita and Anything Goes. She spent four seasons at The Stratford Festival and can be seen on screen in Schmigadoon, Bollywood/ Hollywood and the Oscar-winning film, Chicago. @jodimcfadden
Faculty
Jos Banks
Drayton Entertainment: Kinky Boots (2020). A true renaissance man … Jos N. Banks is a multi-award-winning Visual/Performing Arts Artist, Costume Designer, Stylist & Teaching Artist hailing from Chicago, IL. International tours: Lola in Kinky Boots (US/Canada/China/Singagpore), Hud in HAIR (North America/Canada), Harpo in The Color Purple. Regional: Ms. Blakk For President, Choir Boy (Steppenwolf), Yale Dramatic Association, The Muny, Drury Lane – Oak Brook, Paramount Theatre, The Second City, About Face Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, and many more. Film/TV: Ocean in The Chi, Dr. Greg Martinson in Work in Progress (Showtime). Representation: Paonessa Talent Agency. www.FearlessJos.com // Follow Me: @JosNBanks
Faculty
Kae Kae Lee
Malyssa Kae Lee (better known as “Kae Kae” Lee) discovered her passion for dance at just 7 years old, eventually joining Performing Dance Arts in Vaughan, training extensively in Jazz, Musical Theatre, Ballet, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Tap and Hip Hop.
Kae Kae’s talents began to take her across the world, taking on unique roles in various shows, such as Royal Caribbean’s Aqua production “The Fine Line”, Emmy award-winning Debra Brown’s “Brace Yourself” and Family channel’s “Big Ticket Summer Tour”. She has worked alongside artists such as Emeli Sande, Aloe Blacc, Natalie Imbruglia, Dave Stewart, and James Blunt, whilst touring with “Art on Ice” Switzerland, a show choreographed by Sean Cheesman.
Some of Kae Kae’s TV and film roles include Disney’s “Zombies 3” and “Spin”. Fox’s “What We Do In The Shadows”, Lifetime’s “A Christmas Dance”, CBC’s “Frankie Drake Mysteries”, and Family Channel’s “The Next Step”, as well as the music videos for artists including Rupaul’s Drag Race star, Priyanka, Liz Lokre, and Jade Eagleson. Kae Kae branched out into musical theatre appearing in Rock of ages as Dance Captain at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre, and various roles for Drayton Entertainment
Faculty
Kaleigh Murphy
Kaleigh Murphy (she/they) is a performer, choreographer, and creator originally from Waterloo, ON, and currently based in Toronto, ON. They are a proud graduate of Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Performance Program. Some performance credits include Pinkalicious in Pinkalicious: The Musical (TYT Theatre), Berthe in Pippin (Theatre Sheridan), Clementine in Almost a Full Moon (CMTP Festival), and creating and starring in their first dance short film Collide produced by Unwrap Theatre.
Kaleigh got her start in musical theatre with Drayton Entertainment, participating in four shows as a children’s chorus member, and being a part of the inaugural year of the Youth Academy. She would not be where she is today without all that she learned through her opportunities at Drayton and she is so ecstatic to now be a part of that experience for the region’s incredibly talented youth!
Faculty
Lee Siegel
Lee Siegel, currently playing Tom Collins in Rent (Stratford Festival) performed on Broadway in Paradise Square, and previously as Simon Zealots in the Des McAnuff/Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Drayton audiences will remember Lee as Javert in Les Miserables, Mitch in Spelling Bee, John in Miss Saigon and Big Jule in Guys and Dolls. Other credits include Hawker in The WHO’s Tommy (Stratford Festival), Old Deuteronomy in Cats (Neptune Theatre), and Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Stage West Missisauga). Lee’s Debut Album: “Where’s The Orchestra” is available on iTunes, spotify, and CdBaby. com @Lee_Siegel
Faculty
Lisa Stevens
Drayton Entertainment: West Side Story, Grease, Sister Act, Monty Python’s Spamalot. Other Theatre: Broadway/West End: Dolly Parton presents 9 TO 5, the Musical!. O?-West End: Anyone Can Whistle. O?-Broadway: Bingo! The Musical, Executive Decision. Regional: Escape To Margaritaville (Walnut St. Theatre), 9 TO 5 (US Tour, UK Tour, Australian, Korean companies), Disney’s High School Musical (US Tour, UK Tour, Australian, Japan, Spain companies), High School Musical 2 (US/UK Tours), Bombay Dreams (National Tour), Guys & Dolls, Grease (Axelrod Theatre), Broadway Bares “Parcheesi”, The Witches Of Eastwick (Ogunquit Theatre), The Little Prince, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theater Calgary). Film: Dreaming Of A Jewish Christmas (Intl. Emmy Award Nom), Diary Of A Wimpy Kid 2, The Swinging Nutcracker. Follow me! @lisa_l_stevens
Faculty
Mark Crawford
One of Canada’s most popular playwrights, Mark’s work has been produced across the country and around the world. He is the author of several plays: Stag and Doe; The Birds and the Bees (produced by Drayton Entertainment in 2018); Boys, Girls, and Other Mythological Creatures; The New Canadian Curling Club (produced by Drayton Entertainment in 2023); Chase the Ace; and his newest play, The Gig, which premiere earlier this year at Theatre Aquarius.
Mark has been nominated for the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s Tom Hendry Awards and the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour Writing. His plays are published by Scirocco Drama. As an actor, Mark has performed across Canada, most recently in Chronicles of Sarnia at Blyth Festival and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child with Mirvish Productions.
Mark grew up on his family’s farm in Southwestern Ontario, studied theatre at University of Toronto and Sheridan College, and now lives in Stratford.
Faculty
Matt and Siobhan Richardson
Matt and Siobhan are professional actors and fight directors. They have over 50 years of professional stage combat experience between them, including performance, teaching (high schools, universities and professional development) and directing fights for hundreds of productions. Their company, Burning Mountain, is committed to continuous professional development for the growth of the art form and the artist. They are known world-wide for their approach to stage combat: centering on the actor’s process and time-tested safety principles, with biomechanical specificity of technique from foundation principles of numerous martial arts.
Faculty
Matthew Armet
Matt Armet has been working professionally as a performer, choreographer, director, instructor, and adjudicator for over 20 years. He has performed on some of Canada’s most prestigious stages, including the Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Drayton Entertainment and many other regional theatres from coast to coast. Some of his favourite theatre performance credits include: A Chorus Line, Holiday Inn, Thoroughly Modern Millie, 42nd Street, Crazy For You, White Christmas, High School Musical, and Hairspray. His choreography credits include: Rent at Rainbow Stage, Guys and Dolls in Concert with the WSO and co-choreographer of Fame at Winnipeg Studio Theatre. You can see him on screen in Feist’s music videos “1234” and “My Moon, My Man”; in the the boyband “Soundcheck” in Odd Squad on Netflix; and in The Porter and SkyMed on CBC. Matt has taught master classes and workshops all across Canada for the Stratford Festival, The ADEA, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the U of W, the U of M and Camp Cue. Matt and his husband, Tyrell, are also the heads of their production company, Withermet Productions, where they both continue to teach and work with new emerging artists.
Faculty
Megan Alfano
Megan has been teaching for over 20 years. She holds her Canadian Dance Teacher’s Association Full Membership – Ontario Branch (Stage Division); she is an accredited Acrobatics Arts teacher; has completed the Progressing Ballet Technique certification and is a well-respected dance festival and competition adjudicator as a member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance. Megan spent over 12 years as the Choreographer and Assistant to the Artistic Director of the Professional Touring Performance Company, Saskatchewan Express as well as being the choreographer at The Grand Theatre (Legally Blonde, Ring of Fire, Addams Family, Colours in the Storm), Drayton Entertainment (Assistant Choreographer for Annie) as well as choreograph several productions for Original Kids Theatre Company. In the summer of 2016 she was excited to help create the inaugural season for programming at the Drayton Theatre’s Youth Musical Theatre Program and continues to be both an instructor and choreographer for their pre-professional company.
Faculty
Melissa Morris
Melissa Morris is a composer, director, actor, singer, musician, musical director, playwright, and educator. She is a double graduate of Queen’s University in Kingston, with a Bachelor’s in Music and Drama, and a Master’s in Cultural Studies where she researched verbatim musical theatre. Melissa’s career as a performer has taken her across North America and the Caribbean, where she has had the pleasure of working at Chemainus Theatre, Drayton Festival, Theatre Orangeville, Port Hope Festival, Thousand Islands Playhouse, Stirling Theatre, Upper Canada Playhouse, Orillia Opera House, Gravenhurst Opera House, Theatre Collingwood, Theatre Kingston, and on a cruise ship. She was Resident Musical Director/Composer at St Lawrence Shakespeare Festival for 10 seasons and has musical directed at different companies in Canada. Directing opera is one of her passions, and has directed Don Giovanni and Susannah for Toronto City Opera. She played Annie Kenney in the Watershed Music Theatre Festival’s world premiere of Leslie Arden’s new musical, Lancashire Lass, and has performed the one-woman musical Sweetheart by Dean Burry. Melissa composed music for the Off-Broadway hit Evil Dead the Musical, which has had productions all over the globe. She is a proud faculty member at both Queen’s University and Sheridan College where she teaches voice, acting, musical theatre courses and music theory. Melissa runs her own private vocal studio in Toronto, where she teaches and coaches singers and actors of all ages.
Faculty
Natasha Strilchuk
Natasha Strilchuk was born in Malaysia, raised in King’s Lynn, England and Regina, SK and is now a Toronto-based artist. She is a graduate of Randolph College of the Performing Arts – Triple Threat program and is an accomplished, versatile artist and arts educator. Natasha most recently worked on the CBC kids television show, Ukulele U, as an Assistant Choreographer to Director/Choreographer David Connolly and prior to that, was the Assistant Director/Choreographer for a fully digital production of Going Under at St. Lawrence College’s Musical Theatre program in 2021. In 2020 Natasha was a participant for Neptune Theatre’s RBC Chrysalis Project, in the director’s unit and was mentored by AD Jeremy Webb in his production of Calendar Girls. Choreographer credits include: Hair, Little Shop of Horrors, Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. (LOT). Selected Theatre Credits: The North American Premiere of Bend it like Beckham the Musical (Starvox Ent.), Chicago (Globe Theatre), Mamma Mia (Neptune Theatre), Guys & Dolls, Romeo & Juliet (Stratford Festival) Social: @natashakstrilchuk
Faculty
Paige Ballagh
Paige co-directs Studio 410 Productions. She studied songwriting with Berklee College of Music. Find Paige’s solo album, songwriting courses and poetry book at www.paigeballagh.com. Paige was in Drayton Entertainment: Fiddler on the Loose (2019/22), Canada 151: Better Late Than Sorry, Sorry … I’m Canadian, Canadian Loonie. Other theatre: Fiddler on the Moose, Christmas Jamboree, East Coast Kitchen Party (VPP); vocalist and pianist for The StepCrew, Summerfolk Discovery Artist, The Ballaghs Ireland Tour (2016); The Crew (www.thecrewcanada.com). P
Faculty
Paul Nolan
Originally from Rouleau, Saskatchewan, is currently playing Hugh Dorsey in the Broadway revival of Parade. Prior to that, he played Jim in the most nominated play in Broadway history, Slave Play. For his Broadway performances, he’s been recognized by the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards. His Broadway debut was as Jesus in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, followed by Guy in the Tony Award-winning musical Once. Subsequent New York roles include Pasha/Strelnikov in Doctor Zhivago, Jervis in Daddy Long Legs, Jimmy Ray in Bright Star, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Tully in Escape to Margaritaville, Jim in Slave Play and Hugh Dorsey in Parade. Paul is a graduate of the Randolph College for Performing Arts who is an avid outdoorsman and huge hockey fan. @paulalexandernolan
Faculty
Ryan Desaulnier
Ryan has enjoyed a 30-Year career as an Actor, Singer and Dancer across Canada, USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Ryan began his career in Ontario, then moved to Sydney, Australia, where he lived from 2000-2022. Selected credits include 8 productions at the Stratford Festival, including The Boyfriend, Camelot, and The Gondoliers; a variety of Feature and Short Films including Kids in the Hall, the Movie and Counterstrike; numerous TV Commercials appearing in the USA, Canada, Australia and China; and the Australian production of Man of La Mancha, alongside Anthony Warlow, Caroline O’Connor. Ryan also toured the world with The Wiggles for six years as a dancer and understudy to the Red Wiggle, appearing in their videos, performing in their live shows around the world, and providing backing vocals on over 20 CDs! Ryan has extensive experience sharing his passion for theatre with young people, teaching Dance, Drama and music, and has directed and choreographed a wide range of plays and musicals in Australian High Schools, including Annie, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Fidler on the Roof.
Faculty
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
Faculty
Vanessa Sears
Raised in Deep River, Ontario, Vanessa Sears is a Dora Award, Toronto Theatre Critics Award, BroadwayWorld Award and Critic’s Pick Award winning artist. She has starred on stages across Canada and recently made her Broadway debut as an original cast member of the new musical ‘New York, New York’ – working alongside legendary artists John Kander, Susan Stroman, and Lin-Manuel Miranda to name a few. During her time in NYC Vanessa performed on The Tony Awards, at 54 Below, The Green Room 42 and Classic Stage Company in addition to singing at many concerts and benefits. Currently, she is starring in the Stratford Festival’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as Juliet, as well as playing Olivia in ‘Twelfth Night’. Vanessa’s previous acting credits include Mirvish, several seasons at the Shaw Festival, The Musical Stage Company, Soulpepper, Obsidian Theatre, Young People’s Theatre and more. Vanessa has also appeared in film and television on Suits, Sex/Life, Y The Last Man, and has starred in several movies like 14 Love Letters, Sappy Holiday and others. Next up, she will be making her Panto debut with Canadian Stage’s ‘Wizard of Oz’, causing chaos and mayhem as the Wicked Witch. Vanessa is also an emerging director, an educator, and serves on the board of the Canadian Green Alliance. Instagram @vanessa_sears
Faculty
Wes Barnes
Drayton Entertainment debut Kinky Boots. Other Theatre: Mean Girls (Princess of Wales Theatre, Broadway First National Tour), Jesus Christ Superstar (50th Anniversary Tour), The Tap Dance Kid, 42nd Street, In the Heights, Newsies, The Scottsboro Boys, Godspell, Sophisticated Ladies, Choir Boy. In addition to performing, Wesley is equally passionate about mentoring performing artists and curating talent; so much so, he has founded an organization called The MPACT Group, which will do just that! Jer 29:11. For more info, follow on Instagram: @Wesjbarnes @thempactgroup
Faculty
Will Parry
Will Parry (he/they) is a music theatre performer and proud member of the CAEA based in Toronto. Some of his performance credits include Toto in Wizard of Oz: The Panto (Drayton Entertainment), Here I Am: A Cabaret (Self-Produced), Illusionarium (Starvox Entertainment), Scuttle in The Little Mermaid, Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone, Kevin in Going Under (SLC Stage). Will is a graduate of St. Lawrence College’s Music Theatre Performance program. They are passionate about bringing joy and leading with kindness in everything they do. Will is honoured to be a part of the faculty at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy. Follow along with Will’s shenanigans @willxparry, and check out www.will-parry.com