Summer Camps

Disney Casting Director, Dave Bennett 

Dave Bennett became the Casting Director the Shanghai Disney Resort after a successful two-decade career as a talent agent. He represented actors for film, television and theatre, and directors, choreographers, music directors, writers, and composers for theatre. 

In 1999, he opened a Manhattan talent office for a Canadian agency where he represented not only American talent but was also known for bringing the best of Canada to Broadway. He placed clients in supporting roles in TV and Film, and in leading/supporting roles in over three dozen Broadway and National Touring Companies including Book of Mormon, Chicago, Jersey Boys, Les Miz, Lion King, Mamma Mia, Mary Poppins, Once, Phantom of the Opera, Rent, and Wicked.

Dave has a degree from Queen’s University and is a proud graduate of the Broadway Commercial Theatre Institute’s “Producing for the Commercial Theatre Intensive Program” (NYC).

Kerry Butler, who has appeared in twelve Broadway shows, is best known for originating the roles of Barbara Maitland in Beetlejuice, Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, and Clio/Kira in Xanadu, the latter of which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

Butler also originated the role of Belle in the Toronto production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which she later performed on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include Eponine in Les Misérables, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Penny Pingleton in Hairspray,  Sherrie in Rock of Ages, Marianne in Disaster! and Brenda in Catch Me If You Can. She is a mother of two, accomplished teacher, plant enthusiast, musical theatre geek, Disney nerd, and believer in the power of laughter and the magic of music to bring people together. Her solo album is entitled Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust. Insta @KerryBulterCoach

Leah Grandmont

Leah is an actor/musician based in London, ON. She began playing fiddle at the ripe young age of three. She studied classical performance at Wilfrid Laurier University, and has performed with several orchestras around the country, including the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in their tours of Canada, Germany, and Scotland. She is a musical theatre LOVER, and has worked as an actor/musician for various Canadian theatre companies, including Drayton Entertainment, The Grand Theatre, Catalyst Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia. In addition to classical music and theatre, Leah enjoys playing with pop and rock groups. She has performed with Stacey Kay on America’s Got Talent, and on the CCMAs with winner of Canada’s Drag Race, Priyanka, and Lindsay El. As an educator, Leah has been teaching group and private violin for over ten years, and enjoys working with youth theatre groups at Studio 410 and Drayton Entertainment.

Madison Lane

Madison was born and grew up in London Ontario where she trained for 11 years in many styles of dance, including ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary. She then went on to be a dance instructor and has been teaching and choreographing for the last 8 years, sharing her passion for dance with her students. Madison has also choreographed Jr. musicals including The Wizard of Oz and High School Musical for elementary schools. She loves seeing all the hard work and dedication come to life on stage!

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.

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).

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 is currently studying for a bachelor of Digital Communications at Humber College and is spending his co-op with the Academy. If you see Simon around, be sure to say hello and he may even show you a trick or two.