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13: The Musical MOVIE NIGHT!

September 14, 2022

The Academy hosted its first MOVIE NIGHT featuring the new Netflix film “13: The Musical” featuring music by our Summer School Mentor, Jason Robert Brown.

Before the film, we were joined by the star of the movie, Eli Golden, for an awesome Zoom Q&A.

ELI GOLDEN is a 15-year-old actor and die-hard Bruno Mars fan who spent his childhood in New York driving his sister Lilah crazy with his singing, piano playing, and songwriting. Along with these artistic talents, Eli has also taken lessons in dance, figure-skating, Spanish, and he even played baseball! Eli is known for appearing in various tv series and movies such as 13: The Musical (Evan, 2022), Hide and Seek (Max Blackwell, 2021), Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector (Simon Vaughn, 2020), and many more. Finally, Eli wants you to know that he DOES NOT like tomatoes, because of their taste and texture, and when people eat smelly foods in small spaces…it’s just plain GROSS!

Testimonials

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!!!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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.