Advanced Opportunities | Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy

Location: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo)
Term: Tuesday, September 23rd – Sunday, December 21st, 2025

*Please note that there will be no classes on October 11 and October 12 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. As a result, the final Saturday class will be held on December 20.

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 Fall Session with you at the Youth Academy–where you belong!

_{To inquire about payment plans, bursaries, and tuition support please contact youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com.}

The Drama Company

The Advanced Teen Drama Company is a 12-week intensive for teens aged 14 – 18 who are serious about their craft and up for a challenge. Participants will dig into scene work, character development, movement, and ensemble work—all alongside professional artists and a group of peers who share your passion.

Throughout the program, students will push their limits, take creative risks, and grow as a performer in a supportive, high-energy environment. The session wraps up with an in-studio performance showcase—a chance to share hard work, process, and progress with friends and family.

Audition required. Bring your talent, your curiosity, and your drive. Let’s make something unforgettable together

Ages: 14-18
Rehearsals will take place for three hours each Sunday, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Drama Company Schedule

Drama Company Schedule Download

Meet The Director

The Drama Company Director – 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.

The Improv Company

The Improv Company is an advanced-level training program designed for dedicated teen performers looking to deepen their improvisation skills through weekly rehearsals and performances. Students will train in short-form and long-form improv, character work, team collaboration, and quick thinking, preparing them to perform in showcases and potentially compete in improv festivals or tournaments.

Ages: 14-18
Rehearsals will take place for two hours each Saturday, 11:30am – 1:30pm

Improv Company Schedule

Improv Company Schedule Download

The Advanced Musical Theatre Company

We are thrilled to introduce the Junior Musical Theatre Company (aged 8 – 13) and Senior Musical Theatre Company (aged 14 – 18), designed to offer young performers a dynamic, challenging, and professional training experience. Our mission is to nurture talent, ignite creativity, and build confidence—both on and off the stage.

The 2025 Fall Musical Theatre Companies will present Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. on stage at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge on January 18th, 2026.

Junior Advanced Musical Theatre Company (ages 8–13)
Senior Advanced Musical Theatre Company (ages 14–18)

Click here to learn more

Testimonials

This environment is free of judgment and full of love. Thank you for always pushing us and reminding us how important, valued and powerful we all are.

I can’t thank you enough for the courage, independence and kindness you help to instil in my kids.

Although my Dad never spoke of it to Evan or me, he was a little hesitant with the dance stuff and then theatre stuff… but then he came out of the Panto that Evan was in crying, so happy that Evan had found a place where he felt like he belonged.

As parents we got to ride this high with our son. We got to see him, for the first time, totally come into himself, for the first time, pure happiness. Something changed, he has changed….thank you.

This was the most amazing theatre experience I’ve had to date, and I’ve had a LOT! It’s the first time I’ve felt like I really belonged because you made such an inclusive environment.

Thank you! She walked away with more confidence about body image, an even deeper love of everything “theatre” and huge love and respect for her community!

The patience David shows to the children is perfect! As a teacher I recognize that this man was made to work with kids!! The way he speaks to kids makes them believe they can do anything!!!

This is where I want to be. I get to learn from Broadway performers who are performing at a theatre right next door but more importantly, I’ve made lifelong friends. Even the audition process is awesome. Drayton has helped me grow not only as a performer, but as a person.

My son has done lots of programs and I think he felt the most at home here. The children and staff were the most inclusive of any I’ve encountered.

Each and every day he arrived at Huron Country Playhouse, he knew he was stepping into a place where his passions and dreams were going to be honoured, respected and encouraged.

Kids (and even adults!) really have fun and learn skills, responsibility, and teamwork here. David Connolly (Director of Education) is a fantastic leader.

The two musical theatre classes I attended were a lot of fun and I enjoyed them tremendously.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the adult classes at DEYA. It is a great opportunity to get creative with like-minded peers in a judgment-free environment: singing, dancing, acting and even improv! I love that Drayton is giving us adults a chance to live the theatre dream and learn new skills from talented instructors.

The staff involved had an incredible ability to push the kids outside of their comfort zones to try new things and take risks. Most of all, they were able to teach kids to embrace differences and that it’s okay to be different.