Location: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo)
Term: Tuesday, January 7th – Sunday, April 6th, 2025 (No classes March 11th – March 16th)
Cost: $216 + HST ($18 per class)
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.
Indigenous youth under 18 will receive free tuition for Youth Academy training programs. Read More
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.
Don’t miss out on 12 weeks of theatre fun and friends! We can’t wait to spend the Winter Session with you at the Youth Academy–where you belong!
To inquire about payment plans, bursaries, and tuition support please contact youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com.
Technical Theatre
Students of any experience level are welcome to enroll in our Technical Theatre Production course. Led by industry professionals, this course will focus on four units of study: Stage Management, Sound Design, Lighting Design, and Set Design. Technical theatre students will have the opportunity to learn and gain practical insight into what happens behind the scenes of a successful production.
- Stage Management – Learn the art of organization and communication as you explore the key responsibilities of a Stage Manager.
Weeks 1 to 4
- Sound Design – Gain an understanding of the basics of how to operate a soundboard, cue programming, and design creative sound effects for theatrical and performance settings.
Weeks 5 and 7
- Lighting Design – Explore the fundamentals of lighting design, including the operation of light consoles, programming cues, and creating innovative lighting effects for various performances.
Weeks 6 and 8
- Set Design – Students will learn the basics of scenic design, including conceptualizing set pieces, understanding floor plans, and building models that reflect the visual themes of a production.
Weeks 9 to 12
Meet your instructors
Amber Archbell – Stage Management
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Beehive – the ’60s Musical, Peter Pan: The Panto, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wizard of Oz: The Panto, Sorry…I’m Canadian, Sleeping Beauty: The Panto, Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto, The Birds & The Bees, Cinderella: The Panto, HONK!, Lucky Stiff, Marathon of Hope: The Musical, Aladdin: The Panto, Snow White: The Panto, Run For Your Wife, Weekend Comedy, Annie, High School Musical. Other theatre: Outheis (TIFT); Sleeping Beauty: Panto (Stirling Festival Theatre); As You Like It Everybody, Fefu and her Friends, Really Really (Theatre Erindale); The Amish Project (Green Light Arts); Salt Baby, If I Were You, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Legally Blonde (Aquarius).
Matt Ballagh – Sound Design
Matt Ballagh is an experienced audio engineer with extensive experience in live theatre and music production. A proud graduate of the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College, he combines his academic training with a wealth of practical experience. Matt has worked on many regional theatre productions, bringing exceptional sound quality and innovative technical solutions to the stage.
Matt’s recent credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Rock of Ages, Evita, The Prom, (Drayton Entertainment), Starbright Christmas (VPP) The Little Mermaid Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr. (Studio 410 Productions). His expertise in live sound, mixing, and sound design has made him a sought-after engineer for both large-scale productions and intimate theatre settings.
In addition to his work in theatre, Matt is the owner and operator of On Track Studios, where he professionally records and produces music across various styles. His studio’s versatile environment allows him to work with a wide range of artists, from emerging talent to seasoned professionals, delivering high-quality recordings that capture both the energy and emotion of the performances.
With a passion for both theatre and music, Matt combines his technical skills with a creative approach, ensuring that every production is not only heard but felt by its audience.
Lyle Franklin – Lighting Design
Drayton Entertainment:The Marvelous Wonderettes, Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Buying The Farm, King & Queens of Country, Out of Order, Office Hours, Hilda’s Yard, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, The Affection of May, Lend Me A Tenor, Too Many Cooks, The Love List, Perfect Wedding, Twelve Angry Men, Separate Beds, The Odd Couple, Funny Money, Boeing Boeing. Other theatre: The Last Enchanted Forest (Petrolia); Walking on Water (Fanshawe College); The Anger of Ernest and Ernestine (Lost & Found Theatre); A Funny Thing Happened… (Ryerson University). He is a graduate of Ryerson University.
Beckie Morris – Set Design
Becky Morris has been a cornerstone of the Theatre Orangeville family for over 20 years, serving as the resident set designer for more than a decade. With a deep passion for both design and production management, Beckie immerses herself in every aspect of live entertainment and visual arts, thriving on collaborative efforts with fellow artists and creatives.
Her impressive body of work includes set designs that have captivated audiences at venues such as Drayton Entertainment, Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Neptune, Theatre Aquarius, Foster Festival, and Theatre Orangeville.
Beckie’s portfolio can be viewed here.
