ACT! SING! MOVE! LAUGH! LEARN!
We’re thrilled to announce our Spring Session weekly classes! Our 7-week long Spring Session are for anyone who wants to express themselves through the performing and technical arts.
“We believe that participation in arts education is a fantastic way to develop creativity, imagination, confidence, focus, accountability, and the ability to apply constructive feedback… all while having a ton of fun and meeting new friends!”
Read more about our Academy Mission & Core Values.
Location: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo)
Term: Tuesday, March 26th – Saturday, May 11th, 2024
Cost: $126 + HST (that’s just $18 per class!)
Don’t miss out on 7 weeks of theatre fun and friends! We can’t wait to spend the Spring Session with you at the Youth Academy–where you belong!
Click on the specific age below to register
NEW Show Tunes Wellness Classes
Personal transformation and FUN for all ages and stages of life! If you love Broadway Show Tunes and Movie Musical Hits, whether you want to stretch, sweat or restore, our Show Tunes Wellness classes are here to help.
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.
Family Discount
A 10% per class discount will be offered for each additional member of the immediate family from the same household, enrolled in any full term class for the same term. Discount applies to the person enrolled in the lower number of hours per week. This includes parents and grandparents.
Multi-Class Discount
Class fees decrease per additional class added per week by 10%, and continue to do so with each additional class.
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.
Spring Session Classes
Musical Theatre Ensemble
Musical Theatre Ensemble is for anyone who loves to sing, move and act! This is our 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 Ensemble students will:
- Learn three musical theatre production numbers to develop their understanding of how to contribute to a performance
- Practice the basics of building unique characters through physical gestures, movement, and vocal techniques
- Become familiar with reading sheet music
- Enhance their sense of focus and remaining present while on stage
- Have fun, build trust, and meet new friends while working in a safe and collaborative space
Acting
Acting students are welcome to enroll in Scripted Acting. Students will explore character development through text analysis techniques using age and level appropriate monologues and scenes from a wide range of published plays. Instructors will help students learn to break down clues within the script, and how those clues influence the way their character walks, talks, feels, and interacts with other actors in the play.
Scripted Acting students will:
- Work with various age-appropriate scenes to develop their understanding of building character through physical gestures, movement, and voice
- Enhance their sense of focus and remaining present while on stage
- Experiment with acting alongside a variety of other actors
- Have fun, build trust, and meet new friends while working in a safe and collaborative space
Improv
“Yes, and….!” Students will explore acting through improvisation, non-scripted storytelling, and drama-based games, all while learning through play, imagination, and spontaneity.
Students taking part in Improv will:
- Participate in various improvisation-based games to help develop their imagination and practice their creative skills in a safe and fun environment
- Enhance their sense of focus and remaining present in the moment
- Become more confident with taking risks and finding agreement with a variety of other actors
- Have fun, build trust, and meet new friends while working in a safe and collaborative space
On Camera Acting
On-Camera Acting is designed to help young performers bring their own life and imagination to actual, age-appropriate TV, voice over and commercial scenes. All students will have time on camera and will work in an encouraging and respectful atmosphere with an experienced film/television/commercial/voice over actor instructor to learn specific and practical skills for auditioning for roles. Learning to use their instincts, adapt to different styles, and take direction are key components of this class.
Technical Theatre
Students of any experience level are welcome to enroll in our Technical Theatre Production class to gain insider knowledge and appreciation of what happens behind-the-scenes. This overview training will instill practical knowledge from a different department each week: lighting design, costume design and construction, props design and construction, set design with carpentry and paint, sound design, stage management, and more!
Students taking part in technical theatre will:
- Gain introductory practical experience in a variety of areas of technical theatre from working industry professionals
- Learn the basics of carpentry, scenic paint, props, wardrobe, stage management, lighting, and sound
- Examine the process of creating a live production from behind-the-scenes
This class is offered for Ages 12+.
Audition Preparation
This exciting course is designed to help singing actors, connect to their audition songs in meaningful ways and receive new, custom chosen audition material.
Topics will include song selection, script and score analysis, gesture and body awareness and managing performance anxiety. Students will work to balance healthy vocal production with bringing truth and specificity to the circumstance of the character. Each class will include a professionally led vocal warm-up followed by one-on-one coaching in a group setting with a live accompanist/ music director and director
This class is offered for Teens.
Harmony Choir
“Harmony: A Family Choir” is for grandparents, parents, and older siblings who want to make music, have fun and build connections with the young people in their lives. This brand-new intergenerational, community-minded choir is for singers of any voice type at any experience level who want to learn choral music from past and future Drayton Entertainment productions.
* Please register each member of the family that will attending class.
This class if offered for Families.
Session Testimonials
“Learning from these incredible, professional actors and hearing their journeys and advice was really inspiring. All of a sudden, things seem possible for her in new and exciting ways. I can’t thank you enough.”
– Parent
“Because of the acceptance and inclusivity he experienced at the Academy, we really felt that we had gotten our son back after a long season of very difficult times. The Pandemic was particularly hard on him and we believe he finally found his place and his people. Thank you for your leadership and passion.”
– Parent
“The building is such a welcoming space and really feels like a second home to my child! Everyone was so friendly and kind throughout the weeks and super welcoming to the parents too. We’ll be back!”
– Parent
Conduct Policies
Please refer to our DEYA Code of Conduct to familiarize yourself with our conduct policies prior to the start of classes.
