CONGRATULATIONS! We are delighted to welcome you to the Youth Chorus of Drayton Entertainment’s production of Dear Evan Hansen. We are so happy to have you on board! We know you’re going to have a fantastic time!
To prepare you for the production, we have included key information that will help you and your family throughout our adventure.
Please download, sign, and email a copy of the Letter of Agreement listed below to youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com. In addition to the Letter of Agreement, please complete the measurement & medical information form at the bottom of this page.
Commitment
Youth chorus members must be available for all scheduled rehearsals and performances. While you may not be required at every listed rehearsal, the Stage Manager will confirm your specific calls during the week leading up to the first rehearsal.
Rehearsals run from February 24 to March 17, and performances run from March 18 to April 12.
Please note: rehearsals will begin at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge before moving to the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse in Waterloo.
To view the complete schedule, please refer to the Rehearsal & Performance Schedule dropdown below.
Content Advisory
Dear Evan Hansen, licensed with a PG-13 rating by Music Theatre International, contains mature themes and subject matter that may not be suitable for all young people.
Themes include:
- Mental Health Themes: Loneliness, anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicide.
- Story Context: The plot involves a teenager who becomes entangled in a lie surrounding the death of a troubled classmate.
- Family Dynamics: References to family conflict and dysfunction.
- Social Media: Exploration of the emotional impact and potential dangers of online spaces.
- Language: Use of explicit, strong, and derogatory language.
- Sexual Content: Multiple references to sex or sexual situations.
- Substances: Mentions of drug use, rehab, and alcohol.
- Violence: An instance of one adolescent punching another, and references to a past classroom incident involving thrown objects.
By confirming acceptance, you acknowledge your understanding of the above content and confirm that the participant is emotionally prepared and supported to engage with the material presented in this production.
If you have any questions or concerns leading up to the start of rehearsals on February 24, please contact us at youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com.
About Drayton Entertainment
Drayton Entertainment is a registered, not-for-profit charitable organization, and one of Canada’s most successful professional theatre companies. From Broadway musicals, to laugh-a-minute comedies and riveting dramas, Drayton Entertainment presents the finest in live theatre for all ages on seven unique stages, at six venues, in five communities across Ontario: the Drayton Festival Theatre in Drayton, Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge in Cambridge, Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend, King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, and St. Jacobs Country Playhouse and the Schoolhouse Theatre in St. Jacobs.
Ticket Information
You will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to see the show that your child is in, subject to availability. Should a family request their two (2) Complimentary Tickets for Opening Night, approval is at the discretion of the Drayton Entertainment and subject to availability.
You can also purchase tickets at a special reduced rate for family and friends to come and see the show. Our regular ticket price is $62.00 + HST for adults, but if you call the box office and mention that your child is in the cast, you will receive your tickets for $50.00 + HST – youth under 20 are always $38.00 + HST. Please note, only parents can book and receive this discount, once the teams have been determined. Extended family and friends cannot call the box office to receive this discount.
Dear Evan Hansen
Dear Evan Hansen Creative Team
Dear Evan Hansen
- David Connolly – Director/Choreographer
- Steve Lavoie – Music Director

Dustyn Wales, Stage Manager

Jason Franco, Youth Chorus Supervisor
Rehearsal and Show Schedule
Rehearsal Schedule – SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Rehearsal Schedule
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge
Tuesday, February 24 5pm-9pm
Wednesday, February 25 5pm-9pm
Thursday, February 26 5pm-9pm
Friday, February 27 5pm-9pm
Saturday, February 28 2pm-6pm
Sunday, March 1 2pm-6pm
Tuesday, March 3 5pm-9pm
Wednesday, March 4 5pm-9pm
Thursday, March 5 5pm-9pm
Friday, March 6 5pm-9pm
St Jacobs Country Playhouse
Saturday, March 7 2pm-6pm
Sunday, March 8 2pm-6pm
Tuesday, March 10 5pm-9pm
Wednesday, March 11 5pm-9pm
Thursday, March 12 5pm-9pm
Friday, March 13 5pm-9pm
Saturday, March 14 1pm-9pm (TECH)
Sunday, March 15 1pm-9pm (TECH)
Tuesday, March 17 1pm-9pm (TECH)
Show Schedule – SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Team Wave = BLUE
Team Window = RED
Carpooling
If you’re interested in possible carpooling, please provide us with your general location and permission to share your contact information with other people who are also interested. Information can be emailed to youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com.
| Colour | Parent Name (Youth Name) | Email/Phone Number | Location |
| Wave/Blue | Divya Rajesh (Tara R) | IDIVYA.25@GMAIL.COM 647-808-1982 | YMCA, Guelph |
| Window/Red | Erika Williams (Eden K) | ewilliams100@gmail.com 519-404-2240 | Kitchener, near Chicopee (Lackner & Fairway) |
How to Measure
This information will help you with required measurements needed to complete the form at the bottom of this webpage.
Letter of Agreement
Please download this agreement and email a signed copy to youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com.
Mental Health Resources
We recognize that some of the themes in this production may be challenging or sensitive for certain individuals. To support you, we are providing the following resources to help you navigate the material with care and understanding.
Policies and Procedures
Food and Drink:
Youth chorus members are encouraged to bring a light snack to rehearsals and performances. Please avoid snacks that may cause a large mess or that your child may require assistance with. We are a nut-free building. Every student should have a refillable water bottle that they bring with them to rehearsals and performances. No gum is permitted anywhere in the building.
Electronics:
Youth chorus members will have access to their electronics during breaks should they need to contact their parents/guardians. Electronic devices may not be used or kept on their person during rehearsals or performances. To ensure everyone’s safety, taking and sharing photos and videos online is not allowed unless otherwise given permission.
Dress Code:
We ask that everyone come prepared to effectively participate in rehearsal, adhering to dress codes assigned at registration. Youth should wear comfortable clothing they are able to move in. Dry, closed-toed shoes are mandatory, these may include indoor sneakers.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI):
Drayton Entertainment’s EDI vision is to be an entertainment company that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. Its EDI mission is to adopt equitable and inclusive principles and practices to realize a community where this diversity thrives and aligns seamlessly with Drayton Entertainment’s core values of Respect, Creativity, Growth and Accountability. More, including our EDI Statement and Progress Report can be found online at www.draytonentertainment.com.
Gender Identity and Inclusion:
Drayton Entertainment is committed to ensuring the physical and emotional safety of all students. As part of this commitment, we want to make sure students of all gender expressions and identities feel safe, welcomed and accepted. Drayton Entertainment exists within a broader context of law and public policy that protects and defends human rights. The Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) provides for equal rights and opportunities, and freedom from discrimination. People who are discriminated against or harassed because of their gender identity and/or gender expression are legally protected from discrimination under the Code.
Violence, Harassment, and Discrimination:
All workers, volunteers, visitors, parents and participants must abide by applicable Drayton Entertainment policies including, but not limited to, Drayton Entertainment’s Violence and Harassment Policies.
Drayton Entertainment is committed to building and maintaining a safe and respectful workplace and training environment. Drayton Entertainment does not tolerate acts of discrimination, bullying, violence or any form of harassment against workers, volunteers, visitors, parents and participants. Should an individual or group report an act of discrimination, bullying, violence or harassment, management will take all reasonable steps to investigate the report and respond in a reasonable manner, per Drayton Entertainment’s Workplace Harassment and Violence policies. By agreeing to these terms, the parent/guardian and participant understand these policies.
Zero Bullying Tolerance:
Drayton Entertainment students shall respect their fellow cast mates, teachers, supervisors, and assistants. No gossip, obscene language, bullying or inappropriate conversations by either parents or students will be tolerated. If a child is being disruptive, they will receive a verbal warning. If the disruption reoccurs, the child will be sent home. If a child is sent home twice in the same production, they will be removed from that production. Youth who engage in physical or verbal bullying or violence will be immediately removed.
Medical Emergency Policy:
In any event of an accident or emergency when Drayton Entertainment is not able to reach a parent or guardian, I hereby authorize my child to be transported to a hospital for medical treatment and hold Drayton Theatres Inc and its representatives, harmless in the execution of such. Additionally, I hereby agree to individually provide for all medical expenses which may be incurred as a result of any injury sustained while participating at or for Drayton Entertainment.
Risk and Release of Liability Waiver:
I, the minor’s parent or legal guardian, understand the nature of the activities my child will be involved in at Drayton Entertainment and the minor’s experience and capabilities. I acknowledge that I must advise Drayton Entertainment in writing if the student is not physically fit to participate fully in the activities. Otherwise, I believe the minor to be qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such activities.
I release and hold harmless Drayton Theatres Inc., operating as Drayton Entertainment, from any and all liability, claims, demands, and causes of action whatsoever, arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, that may be sustained by the participant and/or the undersigned, while in or upon the premises or any premises under the control and supervision of Drayton Entertainment, or in route to or from any of said premises.
Image Release Waiver:
As the legal parent or guardian, I agree to allow and give permission to Drayton Entertainment to use any photos or video footage of my child/children (rehearsals or performances) for the promotional use and purposes, should Drayton Entertainment choose to do so in regards to the advertising of Drayton Entertainment.


