Skip to Content

The Caterpillar Program

THE CATERPILLAR PROGRAM

Our Caterpillar Preschool Program is a diverse, music theatre-skills based program for children ages 18 months to 7 years. We believe that children learn through experience – and with us, children will be able to experience learning through their bodies so they can remember it in their minds. Our integrated approach to learning offers an active, theatre-based curriculum which allows children to develop a love of music, dance, and character-based interaction while developing social skills and talents at a young age.

During each lesson, children will participate in creative dance, movement, and storytelling while enjoying music and drama games filled with imagination and creativity. The goal of the four-level program is to enhance each child’s overall development by advancing gross and fine motor skills and improving social, cognitive, and emotional awareness in an environment of affection, support, encouragement, and understanding.

*We welcome children with special needs and have found they thrive in music-based preschool environment

SKIPPERS

18 Months to 3 Years, With Caregiver

This class is rooted in creative dance and play for lively children and their guardians, aged 18 months to 3 years. Arrive in play clothes with no other equipment needed.

Allow your child to start off on the right foot, moving and grooving. Skippers is a fun and active program that allows children to develop social skills and talents at a young age. Children will participate in dance and movement while enjoying music and drama lessons.

Learn how dance, music, and imaginative play can nurture early neural development, with strengthening the caregiver-baby bond! Movement and music concepts will be introduced through circle dances, movement exploration, songs and rhymes, and sensory activities that help foster your baby’s cognitive, emotional and physical health.


SWALLOWTAILS

Ages 3 to 4 Years, With Caregiver

This class is designed for an active 3 to 4 year old with an introduction to movement, music and dance. Swallowtails includes rhythmic exercises and progresses through basic dance skills.

With busy toddlers in mind, we will focus on nurturing gross motor, cognitive and emotional development; through dance, music, circle dances, creative free movement, songs, rhymes, and storytelling. Focus is also on social skills, with a basic class structure and the ability to follow the instructions and take turns demonstrating skills with peers.


ANGELWINGS

Ages 4 to 5 Years

Angelwings is your child’s opportunity to explore the fine arts and develop talents, skills and confidence at a young age. Children 4 to 5 years of age will be inspired through dance, music, storytelling, and character work while making learning fun. This class has been designed exclusively for Kindergarten-aged students and will work on refining movement, expanding cognitive skills, and developing artistic abilities.

This class has a lively environment for independent movers and shakers to experience the joy of movement and music. Students will discover and explore movement and music concepts while gaining balance, flexibility, and coordination. Animated storytelling, songs and rhymes, instruments, props, and simple choreography will add fun and excitement to this structured, progressive, skill building class.


MONARCHS

Ages 6 to 7 Years

Monarchs is for children to experience the fun of learning how to sing, dance, act, and really PLAY! Fundamental elements are taught through a series of ‘theatre-style’ games, rhythms and rhymes, story creation, movement exploration, and basic choreography. Designed for an active, creative child who loves to express themselves through music and movement, this class will prepare children who are ready to progress in their dance and music adventures. Students will explore dance and music concepts through imaginative play and build deeper knowledge and body awareness in movement skills, balance, flexibility, and coordination. Instruments, singing, props, and creative dance will support the development of musicality and self-expression, helping children become confident and passionate performers and ready to progress into the elementary level of classes offered at the Academy!

Testimonials

quote symbol

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.

quote symbol

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

quote symbol

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.

quote symbol

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.

quote symbol

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.

quote symbol

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!

quote symbol

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!!!

quote symbol

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.

quote symbol

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.

quote symbol

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.

quote symbol

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

quote symbol

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

quote symbol

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.

quote symbol

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.