A Digital Acting Toolkit

Location: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo)
Term: Tuesday, April 8th – Sunday, June 29th, 2025
Early Bird Pricing Available Until March 9th

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.

A Digital Acting Toolkit

A Digital Acting Toolkit provides students with a comprehensive insight into Voice Over, On-Camera, Podcasting, Self-Tapes, Commercials, Auditions and more.  At the end of the session, students will have the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned to friends and family! 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.

In this class, students will:

Unit 1: Voice Over

Discover the power of your voice! Students will explore vocal techniques, script interpretation, and recording methods to create compelling voiceover performances for animation, video games, commercials, and more.

Tuesdays: April 8, April 15, April 22, April 29

Early Bird Bundle Price: $172.80 for all 12 weeks
Purchase 3 Unit Bundle: Youth and Teens
Early Bird Single Unit Price: $64 for 4 weeks
Purchase Unit 1: Youth and Teens

Unit 2: On Camera

Step in front of the camera with confidence! This unit covers self-tapes, commercial acting, and audition techniques, teaching students how to present themselves professionally in today’s digital casting world.

Tuesdays: May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27

Early Bird Bundle Price: $172.80 for all 12 weeks
Purchase 3 Unit Bundle: Youth and Teens
Early Bird Single Unit Price: $64 for 4 weeks
Purchase Unit 2: Youth and Teens

Unit 3: Podcasting

From storytelling to hosting, this unit covers everything needed to produce a professional podcast. Students will learn microphone techniques, sound editing basics, and how to engage an audience through spoken word.

Tuesdays: June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24

Early Bird Bundle Price: $172.80 for all 12 weeks
Purchase 3 Unit Bundle: Youth and Teens
Early Bird Single Unit Price: $64 for 4 weeks
Purchase Unit 3: Youth and Teens

Meet Your Instructors

Unit 1: Voice Over – AJ Bridel

Drayton Entertainment (Select): Lauren in Kinky Boots, Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan in Peter Pan: The Panto. Other Theatre (selected): Claire in Chris, Mrs., Sherrie Christian in Rock of Ages (More Ent.), Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival), leading roles in several Ross Petty Pantos, Lauren in Kinky Boots (Mirvish). Film/TV: Odd Squad (TVO Kids), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Private Eyes (Global), Voice of Pipp Petals in My Little Pony (Netflix), Caillou (Peacock) Insta and tiktok @ajbridel

Unit 2: On Camera – Lisa Horner

A thirty-five year veteran in theatre and tv/film, Lisa is currently playing Beulah in Come From Away at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. She was last seen on the Hallmark Channel in Hanukkah on Rye, where she played Eve, the mother of Molly-romantic lead extrordinaire…

Lisa is the first artist to perform in all of Mirvish Productions’ four theatres and is the recipient of two Dora awards for her work in The Wizard of Oz (Mirvish Productions) and Grey Gardens (Musical Stage Company), as well as a Bessie award for her iconic Ikea commercial, where she yells “Start the Car!”

Lisa is a director, teacher and private coach. She is also licensed as a personal support worker.

Unit 3: Podcasting – Coming Soon

Testimonials

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!!!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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.

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