OMG you guys!!! Legally Blonde The Musical, starring local high school students from Waterloo Region in the inaugural Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical Production.
A fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
This exciting new High School Musical Production Program allows high school students across the tri-cities to learn valuable life skills gained by participating in a fully-staged Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy Production.
February 15 to 26, 2023
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
Drayton Entertainment has been steadily growing its training offerings for young performers over the past several years, including launching its new, state-of-the-art training hub, The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy. Its mission is to provide performing and technical arts training opportunities anchored in the Drayton Entertainment brand of live theatre excellence, facilitated by professional industry mentors. The program is designed to cultivate community, incite leadership, ignite imagination, and boost confidence in a socially aware, inclusive environment.
The High School Musical Production Program will offer 100% barrier-free access, including financial, emotional and physical, to unite students from different backgrounds, identities, cultures, abilities and interests, completely free of charge. Drayton Entertainment is committed to diverse, inclusive casting without regard to disability, ethnocultural identity or gender.
This exciting new High School Musical Production program allows students across the tri-cities to be mentored by professionals in ALL departments, both on stage and off. We’re seeking passionate theatre-makers, whether their passion lies in performing or technical arts, to gain the hands-on, transferable life skills required to present a fully-staged Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy Production.
Associate Artistic Director David Connolly will direct and choreograph. Connolly’s impressive résumé includes numerous Drayton Entertainment productions including Mamma Mia!, Kinky Boots, Annie, Hairspray, Disney’s Newsies, and the popular family Pantos: Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Aladdin and Snow White.
“As we look to the future, we are committed to providing positive experiences for the next generation of artists onstage and behind-the scenes, which transcend the arts to shape future leaders and community-minded citizens. This production will provide an opportunity for us to support a broad generational shift in society by creating a socially aware and inclusive environment where these talented young people can flourish.”
–ALEX MUSTAKAS, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, DRAYTON ENTERTAINMENT
Objectives
We strongly believe that skills developed through participation in the arts are becoming increasingly important in the workplace, in all sectors, and are essential to a young person’s success in developing a fulfilling life. We also believe that today’s post-pandemic world presents new, difficult challenges that arts education can help overcome.
A few of these parallel life skills include:
1. DEVELOPING CREATIVITY
Now more than ever, employers are looking for creative thinkers who can move their business forward, not just academic achievers who know how to maintain the status quo. Being able to think on your feet, approach tasks from different perspectives and think ‘outside of the box’ will distinguish arts students from others.
2. DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE
The real time reward that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone, taking risks, learning from mistakes and willingness to try new things with new people results in increased self-worth and a deep sense of belonging.
3. DEVELOPING FOCUS
The ability to focus is a key skill developed through ensemble work. Whether you’re in a big production number onstage or working together with fellow crew members, keeping a balance between listening and contributing involves a great deal of concentration and focus. It requires each participant to not only think about their role, but how their role contributes to the big picture of what is being created.
4. RECEIVING CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK
Receiving constructive feedback is a regular part of any arts instruction. Children learn that feedback is part of learning and it is not something to be offended by or to be taken personally. It is something that is a valuable experience and greatly contributes to the success of the final piece.
5. ACCOUNTABILITY
When children practice creating something collaboratively, they get used to the idea that their actions affect other people. They learn that when they are not prepared or on-time, that other people suffer. We also learn to acknowledge mistakes, learn from them and move on. This is a crucial skill to learn early in life because it contributes to the development of integrity of character, which every employer is seeking in a staff member.
All of this, plus even more life skills like perseverance, understanding, body language, collaboration, and dedication are the reason we do what we do.
The High School Musical Production Program is being offered at no cost to the participants. Participants will not be paid. Participants can count their rehearsal and performance hours as Volunteer Hours.
Download the Study Guide
Click here to view or download the Educator’s Study Guide.
For more information, please contact Youth Academy Administrative Director,
Randi Perriam, randi@draytonentertainment.com, 519-804-1100 xt 902
