Welcome Package

We strongly believe that skills developed through participation in the arts are becoming increasingly important in the workplace, in all sectors, and are essential to a young person’s success in developing a fulfilling life. We also believe that today’s post-pandemic world presents new, difficult challenges that arts education can help overcome.

A few of these parallel life skills include:

1. DEVELOPING CREATIVITY
Now more than ever, employers are looking for creative thinkers who can move their business forward, not just academic achievers who know how to maintain the status quo. Being able to think on your feet, approach tasks from different perspectives and think ‘outside of the box’ will distinguish arts students from others.

2. DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE
The real time reward that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone, taking risks, learning from mistakes and willingness to try new things with new people results in increased self-worth and a deep sense of belonging.

3. DEVELOPING FOCUS
The ability to focus is a key skill developed through ensemble work. Whether you’re in a big production number onstage or working together with fellow crew members, keeping a balance between listening and contributing involves a great deal of concentration and focus. It requires each participant to not only think about their role, but how their role contributes to the big picture of what is being created.

4. RECEIVING CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK
Receiving constructive feedback is a regular part of any arts instruction. Children learn that feedback is part of learning and it is not something to be offended by or to be taken personally. It is something that is a valuable experience and greatly contributes to the success of the final piece.

5. ACCOUNTABILITY
When children practice creating something collaboratively, they get used to the idea that their actions affect other people. They learn that when they are not prepared or on-time, that other people suffer. We also learn to acknowledge mistakes, learn from them and move on. This is a crucial skill to learn early in life because it contributes to the development of integrity of character, which every employer is seeking in a staff member.

All of this, plus even more life skills like perseverance, understanding, body language, collaboration, and dedication are the reason we do what we do.

The High School Musical Production Program is being offered at no cost to the participants. Participants will not be paid. Participants can count their rehearsal and performance hours as Volunteer Hours.

Shows at SCP
*Call times will be one hour before each show.

*Possible extension until March 3

NOTE:  Parents should note that Footloose contains mature content (PG-13) and should familiarize themselves with the story before agreeing to have their child audition.

A detailed plot synopsis can be found here.

Expectations of Conduct:

FOOD AND DRINK
Food and drinks other than water will be consumed in the green room area only, and will not be consumed in the change rooms or studios. Only water is permitted and every student should have a water bottle with them when they perform/attend rehearsals. No gum is permitted anywhere in the building. We strongly express that we are a nut-free building.

ELECTRONICS
Students will have access to their electronics during breaks should they need to contact their parents/guardians. Electronic devices may not be used or kept on their person during rehearsals or performances. To ensure everyone’s safety, taking and sharing photos and videos online is not allowed unless otherwise given permission.

DRESS CODE
We ask that everyone come prepared to effectively participate in rehearsal, adhering to dress codes assigned at registration. Students should wear comfortable clothing they are able to move in. Dry, closed-toed shoes are mandatory, these may include indoor sneakers or dance shoes. Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy is a scent free building.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
Drayton Entertainment’s EDI vision is to be an entertainment company that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. Its EDI mission is to adopt equitable and inclusive principles and practices to realize a community where this diversity thrives and aligns seamlessly with Drayton Entertainment’s core values of Respect, Creativity, Growth and Accountability. More, including our EDI Statement and Progress Report can be found online at www.draytonentertainment.com. We expect that all students remain welcoming towards their fellow peers.

GENDER IDENTITY AND INCLUSION
Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy is committed to ensuring the physical and emotional safety of all students. As part of this commitment, we want to make sure students of all gender expressions and identities feel safe, welcomed, and accepted. Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy exists within a broader context of law and public policy that protects and defends human rights. The Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) provides for equal rights and opportunities, and freedom from discrimination. People who are discriminated against or harassed because of their gender identity and/or gender expression are legally protected from discrimination under the Code. Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy has included pronoun identifiers as part of the registration process so that staff, volunteers, and fellow students can remain respectful of others’ gender identities.

VIOLENCE, HARASSMENT, AND DISCRIMINATION
All workers, volunteers, visitors, parents and participants must abide by applicable Drayton Entertainment policies including, but not limited to, Drayton Entertainment’s Violence and Harassment Policies.  

Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy is committed to building and maintaining a safe and respectful workplace and training environment. Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy does not tolerate acts of discrimination, bullying, violence or any form of harassment against workers, volunteers, visitors, parents and participants. Should an individual or group report an act of discrimination, bullying, violence or harassment, management will take all reasonable steps to investigate the report and respond in a reasonable manner, per Drayton Entertainment’s Workplace Harassment and Violence policies.

ZERO BULLYING TOLERANCE
Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy students shall respect their fellow cast mates, teachers, supervisors, and assistants. No gossip, obscene language, bullying or inappropriate conversations by either parents or students will be tolerated. If a student is being disruptive, they will receive a verbal warning. If the disruption reoccurs, the student will be sent home. If a student is sent home twice in the same production, they will be removed from that production. Students who engage in physical or verbal bullying or violence will be immediately removed.

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELLBEING
The health and safety of the students is incredibly important as everyone plays a vital role in the show coming together. Students should keep in good health by getting proper amounts of sleep, eating properly, staying in control of stress, and whatever else it takes for them to be at their best. Accidents do happen, so if a student is hurt or injured in any way while they are a member of the company, they are to immediately inform the Stage Manager so that First Aid can be administered and we can document all mishaps. Outside of the Theatre, students should avoid any unnecessary risk that might cause them to become injured and/or ill.

Risk and Release of Liability:

Parents/guardians understand the nature of the activities their child will be involved in at Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy and the minor’s experience and capabilities. Parents/guardians must advise Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy in writing if the student is not physically fit to participate fully in the activities. Otherwise, Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy understands that the parent/guardian believes the student to be qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such activities. 

Parents/guardians release and hold harmless Drayton Theatres Inc., operating as Drayton Entertainment, from any and all liability, claims, demands, and causes of action whatsoever, arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, that may be sustained by the participant and/or the undersigned, while in or upon the premises or any premises under the control and supervision of Drayton Entertainment, or in route to or from any of said premises.

In the case of virtual learning, the activities in which the student is participating are taking place on an internet-based online platform and the parent/guardian agrees to the student appearing on camera for the purposes of participating in the Activities. The parent/guardian is responsible for the safety of the student while participating in the activities. The parent/guardian indemnifies Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, its officers, directors, agents and employees and saves them harmless from and with respect to all suits, actions and prosecutions by reason of any activity carried out by the student.

General Policies and Procedures:

OFFICIAL CALLS
It is the responsibility of the student and their parent/legal guardian to know and understand their call time for each rehearsal call and performance. The students will be on site, signed in, and ready to begin work at the call time. Students shall be dropped off prior to their call and collected promptly at the end of their call each day at the designated drop off space by their respective parent/guardian.

SUPERVISION
The Stage Management Team shall supervise all students from the time of arrival in the workplace to the time they are picked up by their parent/legal guardian. While rehearsing and performing, this transfer of care shall take place at reception/stage door. A Stage Management Team Member will be there to sign the students in.

Students can only be collected by a parent/legal guardian unless an official “appointment of chaperone” has been filed with the Theatre prior to the date in question. This can be completed via email or written note. 

As the Stage Management Team is not on duty at dinner breaks and between show calls, students need to be signed out and may not be left unattended in the Theatre between show calls on a 2 performance day.  

BACKSTAGE
It is the policy of Drayton Entertainment that family members, friends, or other visitors are not permitted backstage after the half-hour call, nor are they permitted to wait in the green room or dressing rooms, or any area backstage during rehearsals or performances. This includes children, spouses, partners, siblings, relatives, parents, grandparents, etc., unless they are a designated volunteer.

ADMITTANCE INTO THE THEATRE
Drayton Entertainment has a strict “No Admittance without a ticket” policy.  Parents/legal guardians may not “sit-in” to watch a performance without purchasing a ticket for said performance.

PETS
It is the policy of Drayton Entertainment that family pets are not permitted on site at any venues operated by Drayton Entertainment, during performances or rehearsals.  If the student elects to travel with animals or pets, the Theatre is not responsible for making transportation arrangements for said pets nor the limited availability of accommodation for the student where animals or pets are allowed.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
In order to build audiences and community relationships, the Theatre may, on occasion, schedule talks with community groups and individuals in which the student may be asked to participate. In order to develop corporate sponsors and support from the private sector, the Theatre may ask the student to attend social functions to promote the Theatre.

LOST ARTICLES
Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy is not responsible for any lost or stolen articles. We have a lost and found bin located in the green room, but these items are only kept for a limited time, after which they are donated.

OBSERVATION OF REHEARSALS
Every room at Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy has state of the art video surveillance camera. Monitors can be viewed from the lobby area.

Medical Emergency Policy:

In the event of an emergency, every effort will be made by the Theatre to contact the parent/legal guardian.

In any event of an accident or emergency when Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy is not able to reach a parent or guardian, Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy will allow the student to be transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Drayton Theatres Inc and its representatives will be held harmless in the execution of such. Parents/guardians will individually provide for all medical expenses which may be incurred as a result of any injury sustained while participating at or for Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy.

Image Release Policy:

Images of the student may be taken and may be used for Drayton Entertainment publicity purposes (for example brochures, DVDs, website, social media, advertisements, etc). This includes the audition process, rehearsals, and performances.

Cast – Letter of Agreement

Crew – Letter of Agreement

To every rehearsal:

• A refillable, labelled Water Bottle 
• Snacks with NO nuts!
• Your Script (which will be provided 1st rehearsal)
• A sharpened pencil
• Comfortable clothes you are able to move in and sneakers/dance shoes
• When staying for lunches, please pack a lunch that does not require refrigeration 
• A positive team attitude, enthusiasm, good listening skills, patience

To every show:

• Water
• Something to cover your costume during break (i.e. a big shirt, apron, pyjamas)
• A snack 🙂 BUT please NO nuts!
• A quiet activity to keep busy when you aren’t on stage i.e.: a book to read, paper to draw, simple crafts, games.

Roles in Theatre

Behind every theatre production there is a whole team of people working to create the incredible show put on stage. Here is a short explanation about some key roles you will see behind the scenes of this production.

Common Theatrical Terms

Here is a list of common theatrical terms you might hear during the production and what they mean.

Stage Directions

Performer/Crew	Parents Name	Parents Contact Info	Location
Connor	Sharon	(519) 749-5470	Wellesley
Sullivan	Christina	kidzjazz@yahoo.com	Hespeler/Cambridge at 401 and Townline
Max	Jennifer	Text / call 416 806 6077	University of Guelph. Goes to school in Cambridge (carpool from school to rehearsals sometimes)
Alex	Hilary and David	Hilary: 226-339-6465 David: 519-500-9393	NE Waterloo
Charleigh	Laurie	519-841-4429 (text)	Townline/Saginaw Pkwy in Cambridge
Jason		lij4147@wrdsb.ca or text (548) 994-5918	Doon South
Ayla		graceaylac@gmail.com or my text 5199188298	Wyoming