For certain programs, Drayton Entertainment’s Youth Academy offers fun and enjoyable audition learning opportunities for young performers in the Waterloo Region, Wellington County, Huron County and Simcoe County. We feel there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from the audition process: gaining confidence, courage, adaptability, receiving positive criticism and developing skills to process possible rejection inherent in the professional performing world.
Drayton Entertainment is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply without regard to disability, ethno-cultural identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other historically underrepresented and marginalized identities. Drayton Entertainment is committed to providing a barrier free environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
CURRENT AUDITION OPPORTUNITIES:
Cinderella: The Panto Children’s Chorus – St Jacobs Country Playhouse
The Children’s Chorus Program offers young performers (ages 8-15) the opportunity to audition for the children’s ensemble in Drayton Entertainment’s production of Cinderella: The Panto alongside professional performers in the lead roles.
This program is offered completely free of charge.
Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. – Advanced Musical Theatre Company
This Fall Session, our Advanced Musical Theatre Company will be presenting Disney’s Dare to Dream, a musical revue of hit Disney classics. This is a program rehearses for three hours a week on Sundays, with extended rehearsals beginning in January. At the conclusion of the program, our Junior and Senior Musical Theatre Companies will present the 60-minute performance at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. This production is performed entirely by students of the Youth Academy.
For additional details and pricing, click here.
Please see “Preparing for Your Audition” below for essential information on the audition process and what to prepare for the day.
Auditions will be held at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W., Waterloo) on July 13.
Audition times will be:
Slot 1: ages 8 – 13
9:30am sign in
10:00am – 12:00pm: Audition
Slot 2 (FULL): ages 8 – 13
12:00pm sign in
12:30pm – 2:30pm: Audition
Slot 3 (FULL): ages 8 – 13
2:00pm sign in
2:30pm – 4:30pm: Audition
Slot 4: ages 14 – 18
4:30pm sign in
5:00pm – 7:00pm: Audition
Preparing for Your Audition
Times will be:
Slot 1: ages 8 – 13
9:30am sign in
10:00am – 12:00pm
Slot 2 (FULL): ages 8 – 13
12:00pm sign in
12:30pm – 2:30pm: Audition
Slot 3: ages 8 – 13
2:00pm sign in
2:30pm – 4:30pm: Audition
Slot 4: ages 14 – 18
4:30pm sign in
5:00pm – 7:00pm: Audition
Auditions will be held at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W., Waterloo) on July 13.
The audition process will include:
- Learning a section of choreography as a group
- Singing a portion of the material below as a solo audition
What to bring to your audition:
- Up-to-date resume
- Include any performance experience, vocal/dance/acting classes taken, or special skills you’d like us to know about!
- Up-to-date headshot
- This doesn’t have to be fancy—we just need to be able to put names to faces once the audition has finished. A recent school photo or quick close-up taken at home is perfect!
- Printed copy of the Youth Audition Form – download here
- Clothes you can move in
- Indoor sneakers/dance shoes
Audition Material
Cinderella: The Panto at the St Jacobs Country Playhouse
Cinderella: The Panto will run from Thursday, November 27 to Sunday, December 28 at the St Jacobs Country Playhouse (40 Benjamin Rd E., Waterloo).
Rehearsal Schedule
Nov 14 5-9pm (location TBA)
Nov 15 10-4pm (location TBA)
Nov 16 10-4pm (location TBA)
Nov 23 10-4pm (location TBA)
Nov 25 2-9pm (St Jacobs Country Playhouse)
Nov 26 Dress #1 afternoon, Dress #2 evening (St Jacobs Country Playhouse)
Youth performers in the production will be divided into two teams (red team and blue team) and will perform in the show on an alternating schedule. To view the full schedule of performances as well as more information about the show itself, please visit Drayton Entertainment’s official website.
Children’s chorus members must be available for all rehearsals and shows they are called for.
This is an excellent opportunity to have fun, meet new friends, and gain performance experience in a professional production! Click below to register for your audition!
St Jacobs Country Playhouse Performance Schedule
*PLEASE NOTE* In accordance with the standards outlined by the Canadian Theatre Agreement, all children’s chorus members MUST be 15-years-old or younger for the ENTIRE run of the show (November 27 to December 28, 2025).
Advanced Musical Theatre Company – Disney’s Dare to Dream
The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy is proud to present 100 years of Disney magic with a BRAND-NEW musical revue created by the Disney On Broadway team that invites young performers to explore the dreams that live inside all of us!
Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. is a 60-minute, high-energy production that follows a group of eager new recruits on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. As they embark on a journey of discovery, they learn how dreams—both big and small—can unite, inspire, and make the impossible possible.
Featuring a thrilling blend of timeless classics, contemporary hits, and fresh medleys, this heartfelt revue will delight Disney fans of every generation and aligns perfectly with The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy’s mission to empower youth through bravery and belonging.
For this special production, we are forming two exclusive, audition-based ensembles:
- Junior Advanced Musical Theatre Company (ages 8–13)
- Senior Advanced Musical Theatre Company (ages 14–18)
Together, these 40 talented students will dive into a rehearsal process filled with heart, humour, and high-energy choreography. With bold numbers like I Just Can’t Wait To Be King, powerful anthems like How Far I’ll Go and Just Around the Riverbend, and showstoppers like Be Our Guest, Friend Like Me, and Hakuna Matata, performers will grow as vocalists, storytellers, and ensemble members.
From emotional ballads like Part of Your World, Out There, and When You Wish Upon A Star to uplifting finales like Go The Distance and You’ve Got A Friend In Me, this revue reminds us that A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes—and it’s one worth chasing.
Mark your calendars:
Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. will take the stage for two performances only on January 18, 2026, at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge.
Rehearsals will take place separately for Junior and Senior Companies, leading to one unforgettable, collaborative performance experience. This opportunity is ideal for students seeking advanced-level musical theatre training in a professional setting.
Term: Sunday, September 28th, 2025 – Sunday, January 18, 2026
Cost: $495 + HST
DISNEY’S DARE TO DREAM JR. is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.
Audition Form For Ages 8-13
Audition Form For Ages 14-18
Please note: Applicants over 15 years old are not eligible to audition for Cinderella: The Panto.
Academy Code of Conduct
Please review our DEYA Code of Conduct prior to auditioning.
If you have any questions regarding auditioning, please reach out to us at youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com.
Past Audition Opportunities
MEAN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL VERSION
EVITA CHILDREN’S CHORUS
CINDERELLA: THE PANTO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE PANTO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
PETER PAN: THE PANTO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT PRODUCTION OF FOOTLOOSE
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT CHILDREN’S CHORUS
BUDDY – THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY CHILDREN’S CHORUS
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT PRODUCTION OF LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL
WIZARD OF OZ: THE PANTO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
THE SOUND OF MUSIC CHILDREN’S
FROZEN JR. AUDITIONS
These auditions are now closed. Thank you to everyone who came out!
Follow us on Instagram @deyouthacademy for Free Audition Tips posted every Tuesday. Also, sign up below for our Youth Academy Newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any exciting updates:
Photo Credits (from Left to Right)
Jenni Burke and Company in Sleeping Beauty: The Panto, Drayton Entertainment, 2019 Season. Director & Choreographer David Connolly, Music Director Nico Rhodes, Set Designer Jean Claude Olivier, Costume Designer Rachel Berchtold, Lighting Designer Kevin Fraser.
Will Parry, Erica Peck, Lia Luz and Company in Company in Wizard of Oz: The Panto, Drayton Entertainment, 2022 Season. Directed and Choreographed by David Connolly; Music Direction by Steve Thomas; Set Design by Jean Claude Olivier; Costume Design by Rachel Berchtold; Lighting Design by Jeff JohnstonCollins; Stage Manager Amber Archbell; Assistant Stage Manager Kelsey Rae; Apprentice Stage Manager Kirstyn Keeble.
Company in Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto. Director & Choreographer David Connolly, Music Director Nico Rhodes, Set Designer Jean-Claude Olivier, Costume Designer Rachel Berchtold, Lighting Designer Kevin Fraser.
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