Summer Camps

Disney Casting Director, Dave Bennett 

Dave Bennett became the Casting Director the Shanghai Disney Resort after a successful two-decade career as a talent agent. He represented actors for film, television and theatre, and directors, choreographers, music directors, writers, and composers for theatre. 

In 1999, he opened a Manhattan talent office for a Canadian agency where he represented not only American talent but was also known for bringing the best of Canada to Broadway. He placed clients in supporting roles in TV and Film, and in leading/supporting roles in over three dozen Broadway and National Touring Companies including Book of Mormon, Chicago, Jersey Boys, Les Miz, Lion King, Mamma Mia, Mary Poppins, Once, Phantom of the Opera, Rent, and Wicked.

Dave has a degree from Queen’s University and is a proud graduate of the Broadway Commercial Theatre Institute’s “Producing for the Commercial Theatre Intensive Program” (NYC).

Kerry Butler, who has appeared in twelve Broadway shows, is best known for originating the roles of Barbara Maitland in Beetlejuice, Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, and Clio/Kira in Xanadu, the latter of which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

Butler also originated the role of Belle in the Toronto production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which she later performed on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include Eponine in Les Misérables, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Penny Pingleton in Hairspray,  Sherrie in Rock of Ages, Marianne in Disaster! and Brenda in Catch Me If You Can. She is a mother of two, accomplished teacher, plant enthusiast, musical theatre geek, Disney nerd, and believer in the power of laughter and the magic of music to bring people together. Her solo album is entitled Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust. Insta @KerryBulterCoach

Leah Grandmont

Leah is an actor/musician based in London, ON. She began playing fiddle at the ripe young age of three. She studied classical performance at Wilfrid Laurier University, and has performed with several orchestras around the country, including the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in their tours of Canada, Germany, and Scotland. She is a musical theatre LOVER, and has worked as an actor/musician for various Canadian theatre companies, including Drayton Entertainment, The Grand Theatre, Catalyst Theatre, and the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia. In addition to classical music and theatre, Leah enjoys playing with pop and rock groups. She has performed with Stacey Kay on America’s Got Talent, and on the CCMAs with winner of Canada’s Drag Race, Priyanka, and Lindsay El. As an educator, Leah has been teaching group and private violin for over ten years, and enjoys working with youth theatre groups at Studio 410 and Drayton Entertainment.

DJ Carroll

DJ Carroll is a director, performer, and magician with over 30 years’ experience in stage combat, improvisation, magic, juggling, special effects makeup and interactive comedy. For 24 of those years, DJ was a high school drama teacher and special education specialist with degrees in both Theatre and Education. He owns and operates the magic and entertainment company, Theatricks, and has led The Battle of Ontario Magicians, The Robin in the Hood Medieval Festival, as well as the Blythe and St Jacobs Harry Potter Festivals. He was the Shakespearean Teacher of the Year at the National Shakespeare Festival for 2010 and 2011, and is the proud recipient of a Waterloo Region Arts Award for Performing Arts.

Simon Zenker

Simon is very excited to become part of Drayton Entertainment’s Youth Academy. As a performer who specializes in juggling and stunt shows for families and children, encouraging youth through the arts is something he takes great pride in. Simon is currently studying for a bachelor of Digital Communications at Humber College and is spending his co-op with the Academy. If you see Simon around, be sure to say hello and he may even show you a trick or two.

Stacy Smith

Stacy Smith(she/her) is a Genie nominated performer, educator and coach. She has been a professional actor for over 25 years, working in theatres throughout the country and has worked extensively in television and film, with recurring roles on TV in “Rookie Blue” as Zoe Shaw and Sex & Violence starring Olympia Dukakis. Other select film/tv credits include: Law & Order Criminal Intent(Toronto), Monica’s News, Accused, Frankie Drake Mysteries, The Handmaids Tale, Designated Survivor, Murdoch Mysteries, The Detail, Sebastian, Flight of The Butterflies, Blackbird, Jessie Stone, Robson Arms, Relative Chaos, Blessed Stranger, Single Mom, Marion Bridge, Secrets Of Autumn, Wake, Running Into Edna, October 1970, Call Me Fitz, A Town Without Christmas, Heart of A Stranger and The Daily Blade. Theatre experience includes shows with Drayton Entertainment, Theatre Aquarius, Neptune Theatre, Here For Now, Ships Company, Theatre New Brunswick, Atlantic Theatre Festival, Luna Sea, Off The Leash and Mermaid Theatre. Presently faculty includes Fanshaw College, Acting For Screen and Stage and Theatre Aquarius Theatre School. Other teaching experience includes St. Claire College, The Stratford Festival, Neptune Theatre School, Mohawk College, The Ivey Business School, Dalhousie University, The Foundation for Education, Huron Waves Festival as well as Stacy Smith Coaching which offers online on camera classes and personalized coaching. Stacy is a member of the association of acting coaches and educators.