Location: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo)
Term: Tuesday, April 8th – Sunday, June 29th, 2025
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:
- In Voice Over, Students will focus on how to use their voice effectively in different formats (e.g., animation, commercial, video games, audiobooks).
- In on-camera acting, students will focus on physicality, facial expressions, and how to connect with the camera to convey emotions effectively.
- Podcasting combines elements of both voice-over and performance but adds a layer of conversational tone. Students will practice speaking clearly and engagingly, mastering the art of creating a compelling and authentic podcast voice.
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
Bundle Price: $216.00 for all 12 weeks
Purchase 3 Unit Bundle: Youth and Teens
Single Unit Price: $80.00 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
Bundle Price: $216.00 for all 12 weeks
Purchase 3 Unit Bundle: Youth and Teens
Single Unit Price: $80.00 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
Bundle Price: $216.00 for all 12 weeks
Purchase 3 Unit Bundle: Youth and Teens
Single Unit Price: $80.00 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 – Tyler Check
Tyler Check is a Toronto based actor, singer, writer, musician and podcast creator. He is a proud graduate of the Sheridan College Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program and has performed across Canada in shows such as Million Dollar Quartet, Legally Blonde, Spamalot, and Forever Plaid. Tyler also ran a weekly podcast called Let’s Grab Coffee and is one half of the Canadian theatre writing team Check & Hernandez.
