Registration for 2025 Summer Camps is now OPEN!
SUMMER 2025 – YOUR TIME TO SHINE!
Rooted in bravery and belonging, the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy offers a profoundly positive approach to arts education that’s dedicated to cultivating talent, confidence, and creativity in every student.
Our EPIC Summer Camps give like-minded youth a chance to have fun, make lasting friendships, and build life-skills while learning about the exciting world of live theatre in a fun, safe and welcoming environment. Our experienced faculty is comprised of passionate Canadian industry professionals who are also accomplished educators dedicated to providing relevant knowledge and personalized guidance to help students take risks to reach their full potential.
Musical Theatre Camps
By studying material from age-appropriate musicals, performing arts participants gain fundamental training in singing, movement, improv, and scene work. They’ll become familiar with reading sheet music, creating character and learn how to enhance their sense of focus and stage presence. Participants will attend specialty workshops such as on-camera acting technique, stage combat, puppetry, and audition skills plus virtual mentor Q&A’s.
Focus On Acting for Teens Camp
Our Focus On Acting Teens will study the fundamental building blocks for acting on stage and screen. Students will explore character development through improvisation and text analysis using age-appropriate monologues and scenes from a wide range of published plays. Participants will attend specialty workshops such as on-camera acting technique, stage combat, puppetry, and audition skills plus virtual mentor Q&A’s.
Technical Production Camp
Our Technical Production Week is for teens who want to learn more about making behind-the-scenes magic. Technical students will study set design, building and painting along with workshops such as stage management, wardrobe, props, lighting, sound and more!
Pre-Professional Triple Threat Advanced Training Intensive
This auditioned course will select only 25 pre-college and college students who are serious about pursuing a career in the performing arts. Students will work with highly skilled, working industry professionals to learn five unique, song and dance production numbers in addition to participating in Virtual Broadway Mentor Q&A’s and special in-person workshops in acting through song, monologue performance, audition technique, agent relations, improv, theatrical intimacy, and more.
The following camps will be at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, 145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo, Ontario:
Week 1: July 7 to July 11
Step into the spotlight with a week of high-energy fun, featuring rock and pop-inspired musicals! Participants will sing, dance, and act their way through iconic hits from mega-hit Broadway Musicals.
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from School of Rock, Mamma Mia, Camp Rock, and High School Musical
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Teens (12 – 18): Material from &Juliet, Rock of Ages Jr, Moulin Rouge, and We Will Rock You
Register for Teens Musical Theatre
Week 2: July 14 to July 18
Roll out the red carpet and experience the magic of movie-inspired musicals in this star-studded week! Participants will step into the world of blockbuster hits, exploring unforgettable songs and scenes.
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Legally Blonde, Wicked, Mary Poppins, and Newsies
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Teens (12 – 18): Material from Mean Girls, The Addams Family, Footloose, and Hairspray
Register for Teens Musical Theatre
Week 3: July 21 to July 25
Let young performers shine in this enchanting week designed just for kids! Participants will explore timeless classics and bring beloved child-lead roles to life.
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Oliver!, Peter Pan, and Anne of Green Gables
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Also happening this week:
Technical Production Teens (12-18)
Register for Teens Technical Production
Pre-Professional Triple Threat Advanced Training Intensive (by audition only)
Week 4: July 28 to August 1
Step into a world of adventure and imagination with this fairy tale-inspired week! Participants will bring enchanting stories to life through song, dance, and acting.
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Shrek, Frozen, Tangled, and The Wizard of Oz.
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Focus on Acting Teens (12 – 18): Material from from Harry Potter, Into the Woods, Tuck Everlasting, and Alice in Wonderland.
Register for Teens Focus on Acting
Week 5: August 11- August 15
Step right up and experience the thrill and spectacle of the circus! Participants will dive into show-stopping songs and scenes that celebrate the magic of the big top:
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Pippin, Matilda, The Greatest Showman, and Annie Get Your Gun.
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Teens (12 – 18): Material from Barnum, Once Upon a One More Time, The Greatest Showman, and Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Register for Teens Musical Theatre
Week 6: August 18- August 22
Join the ultimate showdown on stage. Step into a world of epic adventures and unforgettable characters with this thrilling week inspired by legendary heroes and infamous villains. Participants will explore stories of courage, conflict, and redemption through music and theatre:
Musical Theatre Youth (8 – 11): Material from Beauty & the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Hercules, and Annie.
Register for Youth Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre Teens (12 – 18): Material from Les Mis, Hadestown, Wicked, and Beetlejuice.
Register for Teens Musical Theatre
A typical day:
9:00am-10:15am First Class
10:15am-10:30am Break
10:30am-12:00pm Second Class
12:00pm-12:45pm Lunch
12:45pm-2:15pm Third Class
2:15pm-2:30pm Break
2:30pm-4:00pm Fourth Class
Summer Camps are $395 + HST.
Family Discount: 10% discount for each additional member of the immediate family from the same household.
Multi Class Discount: 10% discount for each additional summer camp attended by the youth/teen.
Indigenous youth under 18 will receive free tuition for Youth Academy training programs. Read More
We strive to ensure that all young people, regardless of financial circumstances, are able to participate. Inquire about our flexible payment plans and financial assistance programs.
These camps will be held at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, a state-of-the-art training facility at 145 Northfield Dr. Waterloo.
Supervised drop off available at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up until 4:30 p.m.
Please plan to bring water and a packed lunch.
2025 Summer Guest Artists & Faculty
Announcement Coming Soon!
A Look Back at Summer Camp 2024
SUMMER CAMP TESTIMONIALS
“Because of the acceptance and inclusivity he experienced at the Academy, we really felt that we had gotten our son back after a long season of very difficult times. The Pandemic was particularly hard on him and we believe he finally found his place and his people. Thank you for your leadership and passion.”
“The building is such a welcoming space and really feels like a second home to my child! Everyone was so friendly and kind throughout the weeks and super welcoming to the parents too. We’ll be back! Also, very fair price for the program provided.”
“Thank you for doing a technical theatre camp!! My teen loves the world of theatre but has always known that their place of comfort is not centre stage! We will be back and continue to spread the word about what a wonderful place it is.”
“My child loved each and every one of the virtual guest speaker workshops. Learning from these incredible, professional actors and hearing their journeys and advice was really inspiring. All of a sudden, things seem possible for her in new and exciting ways. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Learning from different choreographers was an incredible experience. Each of them has their own way of teaching and engaging with the students. Different dances on different difficulty levels really challenged the kids in the best way. I feel the cost reflects the fact that you have professionals teaching the kids. So it may be higher than other programs, but it’s totally worth it.”
“As a parent… WOW on the well thought out, executed spaces! The wardrobe room was the our favourite…made our jaws drop to the floor ..so many clothes and time periods. Like learning in a museum. Bravo!”
Conduct Policies
Please refer to our DEYA Code of Conduct to familiarize yourself with our conduct policies prior to the start of camp.