Location: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo)
Term: Thursday, January 15th – Thursday, April 9th, 2026
Cost: $216 + HST ($18 per class)
Ages: 14-18
*Please note that there will be no classes from Sunday, March 15 – Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Interested in more than one? Class schedules are specially designed to allow students to participate in multiple types of classes if desired. 10% off family and multi-class discounts are offered at registration.
Indigenous youth under 18 will receive free tuition for Youth Academy training programs. Read More
We strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of financial circumstance, is able to participate in Academy classes. Inquire about our flexible payment plans and financial assistance programs.
Don’t miss out on 12 weeks of theatre fun and friends! We can’t wait to spend the Winter Session with you at the Youth Academy–where you belong!
To inquire about payment plans, bursaries, and tuition support please contact youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com.
Audition Preparation for the Singing Actor
This exciting 12-week course is designed to help singing actors connect to their audition songs in meaningful ways and receive TWO new, custom chosen audition selections.
Topics will include song selection, script and score analysis, gesture and body awareness and managing performance anxiety. Students will work to balance healthy vocal production with bringing truth and specificity to the circumstance of the character. Each class will include a professionally led vocal warm-up followed by one-on-one coaching in a group setting with a live accompanist/ music director and director.
Week One: Half the class (Group 1) will present an under 2-minute audition cut of a musical theatre song of their choice that best represents who they are. This can include golden age, contemporary, operetta or pop/rock material*. They’ll receive critical feedback.
Week Two: Half the class (Group 2) will present an under 2-minute audition cut of a musical theatre song of their choice that best represents who they are. This can include golden age, contemporary, operetta or pop/rock material*. They’ll receive critical feedback.
Week Three: Group 1 will present their first piece incorporating notes from Week 1. They’ll receive critical feedback and be assigned a musical theatre audition cut specifically chosen for them.
Week Four: Group 2 will present their first piece incorporating notes from Week 2. They’ll receive critical feedback and be assigned a musical theatre audition cut specifically chosen for them.
Week Five: Group 1 will present their custom chosen musical theatre piece and receive critical feedback.
Week Six: Group 2 will present their custom chosen musical theatre piece and receive critical feedback.
Week Seven: Group 1 will present their custom chosen musical theatre piece incorporating notes from Week 5, receive critical feedback and be assigned a pop/rock audition cut specifically chosen for them.
Week Eight: Group 2 will present their custom chosen musical theatre piece incorporating notes from Week 6, receive critical feedback and be assigned a pop/rock audition cut specifically chosen for them.
Week Nine: Group 1 will present their custom chosen pop/rock piece and receive critical feedback.
Week Ten: Group 2 will present their custom chosen pop/rock piece and receive critical feedback.
Week Eleven: Students will prepare for their end of term showcase.
Week Twelve: In this final showcase class, each student will sing a cut from their book that they think best suits them. Friends and family will be invited to audit this class.
A supportive, brave-space working environment will be cultivated in class filled with a sense of play, while giving students practical tools on which to build their song interpretation process. Observation, discussion and feedback will be part of each class to encourage the development of constructive feedback skills.
*Sheet music should be in the correct key, hole punched, double sided, and inside a binder.
Meet Your Instructor
Chad McNamara
Chad McNamara is Director/ Choreographer, College Educator and Performer best known for creating and originating the role of Rooney Doodle on the Juno and Gemini nominated series, The Doodlebops. As a Doodlebop, Chad recorded 3 albums with Universal Music and toured across North America playing sold out shows at Madison Square Garden and LA’s Staple Centre.
Chad recently served as Program Coordinator and Artistic Director of the musical theatre program at St. Lawrence College from 2018-2024. Director/Choreographer: Let’s Dance and Let’s Bop (Terra Bruce Productions – World Premieres) Anne & Gilbert (Island Theatre Festival, PEI), Sirens of Song, Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages, 9 to 5, Disenchanted, Bitter Girl, The Musical, American Idiot (Stephenville Festival) Regional: In Common, a new musical, The 25th… Spelling Bee, 9 to 5, Legally Blonde, Rent, Crazy for You/ Fight Choreography, Be More Chill (Canadian Premiere) Selected Theatre/Performer: Rock ‘n Roll Legends, Canadian Legends, Damn Yankees, Hairspray, Sister Act, Legally Blonde (Drayton Festival) La Cage Aux Folles (Neptune Theatre) Ryan Evans in High School Musical (Canadian Premiere/Neptune Theatre) Plaid Tidings (Magnus), Happy Days, The Musical (Canadian Premiere/Stage West) Mamma Mia (Mirvish). Selected TV: Doodlebops (3 seasons (Disney/CBC), How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria (CBC), Bomb Girls (Bravo), Walt Disney Christmas Parade (ABC), The Ron James Show (CBC), The Today Show (featured performer/NBC). Chad is a proud member of Canadian Actors Equity and ACTRA.
