Musical Theatre | Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy

Location: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo)
Term: Tuesday, January 13th – Sunday, April 12th, 2026*
Cost: $216 + HST ($18 per class)

*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.}

Please note: All Winter Session Musical Theatre classes will culminate in an in-studio sharing for family and friends during their final class. (Not in a Hamilton Family Theatre Showcase as we did for the last two sessions.) Details will be communicated to parents in advance.

Musical Theatre 101

Musical Theatre 101 is for anyone who loves to sing, dance and act! This is our introductory triple threat class. Students will work as an ensemble to learn music and choreography to a wide range of age-appropriate musical production numbers from Broadway shows.

*No application required

Kids (8-10)

Youth (11-13)

Musical Theatre 201

Musical Theatre 201 is for students who have previously studied musical theatre and love to sing, dance and act! This is our advanced triple threat class. Students will work as an ensemble to learn music and choreography to a wide range of age-appropriate musical production numbers from Broadway shows. Building on the beginner fundamentals of singing, dancing, and acting, students will develop an understanding of choreography, reading sheet music, vocal production, and creating dynamic characters within the ensemble.

This class is offered for Kids aged 8-10 and Youth aged 11-13.

*Resume Submission Required. If selected, you will be sent a link to register.

Click here to apply for Musical Theatre 201

Musical Theatre (All Levels)

Musical Theatre (All Levels) is for anyone who loves to sing, dance and act! This class is perfect for all experience levels. Whether you’re brand new to musical theatre or a seasoned pro, this class is a perfect fit. Students will work as an ensemble to learn music and choreography to a wide range of age-appropriate musical production numbers from Broadway shows.

*No application required

Teens (14-18)

Adults (19+)

Family Musical Theatre

Our Family Musical Theatre class is designed for the WHOLE FAMILY to sing, dance and have fun! This intergenerational, community-minded class is for budding musical theatre performers of any age and experience level. Participants will work as an ensemble to learn music and choreography to a wide range of musical production numbers from Broadway shows. Building on the fundamentals of singing, dancing, and acting, students will develop an understanding of choreography, reading sheet music, vocal production, and creating dynamic characters within the ensemble, all within a safe and judgement-free environment.

Click here to register

The Advanced Musical Theatre Company

Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy presents Rising Stars. A spotlight on the next generation of musical theatre talent in a celebration of creativity, passion, and possibility. Performed by a dynamic ensemble of Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy students, this high-energy revue features solos, duets, and showstopping production numbers from beloved Broadway classics to today’s biggest hits. With electrifying performances, heartfelt storytelling, and boundless enthusiasm, Rising Stars shines a spotlight on the future of the stage, and the young performers who will light it up.

For this special production, we are forming two exclusive, audition-based ensembles:

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

Audition Dates: Sunday December 7 (5:00pm – 7:00pm) and Monday, December 8 (4:00pm – 8:00pm)
Term Dates: February 1 to May 2, 2026
Program Cost: $550 + HST
Rehearsals will take place for three hours each Sunday.

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.