Teens 14-18 | Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy

Fall Session Classes

Acting

Ages 14-18

Acting (All Levels)
Individuals of all skill levels are welcome to enroll in Scripted Acting. In this class, students will explore character development through text analysis, working with age- and level-appropriate monologues selected from a diverse range of published plays.

The Drama Company
We welcome advanced acting students wishing to gain practical insight into how plays are rehearsed and performed by working with a professional director to produce an in-studio presentation of excerpts of plays.

Advanced acting teens are welcome to audition by submitting a self-tape of two contrasting monologues under 2 minutes each. In this Pre-Professional Production Program, performers will hone acting, leadership, and teamwork skills while making friends and having fun.

This group will present an in-studio presentation at the end of the session.

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Improv

Ages 14-18

Improv (All Levels)
Yes, and….!” This dynamic class invites actors of all levels to explore the art of improvisation through non-scripted storytelling, drama-based games, and spontaneity. Whether you’re new to improv or looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll grow in a supportive, collaborative environment that encourages creativity, quick thinking, and bold choices.

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.

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Musical Theatre

Ages 14-18

Musical Theatre (All Levels)
Musical Theatre 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.

Musical Theatre Company

The Musical Theatre Company is 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.

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Family Music Theatre

Ages 8+

Our Family Music Theatre class is designed for the WHOLE FAMILY to sing, dance and have fun! This brand new, 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.

Broadway Beat With Chad

Ages 14 - 18

Broadway Beat With Chad is your weekly dose of sweat, style, and serious Broadway vibes! Each class dives into a different musical or choreographic style—from old-school showbiz classics to today’s biggest stage hits. One week it’s sharp Fosse jazz, the next it’s can-can kicks or full-out theatre jazz—no two weeks are the same! You’ll build technique, boost musicality, and bring your performance game to the next level, all while dancing hard and having a blast. Come ready to move, sweat, and have some serious fun living your best Broadway life!

Technical Theatre

Ages 14+

Discover the artistry and craftsmanship that bring theatre productions to life in this hands-on technical theatre class! Through three immersive units, participants will gain practical skills in Props Making, Scenic Paint, and Wardrobe and Costumes —essential elements of stage production. This course is designed with flexibility in mind, offering participants the option to purchase individual units or commit to the full 12-week session, which includes all three units.

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EPIC Summer Camps

Musical Theatre Summer Camp

By studying material from age-appropriate musicals each week, performing arts participants gain fundamental training in singing, movement, scene work plus Master Classes, and Special Guest Mentor Workshops.

Grand Bend
July 14 to July 18
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Penetanguishene
August 18 to August 22
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Waterloo
Week 1: July 7 to July 11
Week 2: July 14 – July 18
Week 5: August 11 to August 15
Week 6: August 18 to August 22
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Technical Theatre Summer Camp

Our Technical Production Week is for teens who want to learn more about making behind-the-scenes magic. Technical students will study set design, building and painting along with workshops such as stage management, wardrobe, props, lighting, sound and more!

Waterloo
July 21 to July 25
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Focus on Acting Summer Camp

Our Focus On Acting Teens will study the fundamental building blocks for acting on stage and screen. Students will explore character development through improvisation and text analysis using age-appropriate monologues and scenes from a wide range of published plays.

Waterloo
July 28 to August 1
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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.

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.

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.