For certain programs, Drayton Entertainment’s Youth Academy offers fun and enjoyable audition learning opportunities for young performers in the Waterloo Region, Wellington County, Huron County and Simcoe County. We feel there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from the audition process: gaining confidence, courage, adaptability, receiving positive criticism and developing skills to process possible rejection inherent in the professional performing world.
Drayton Entertainment is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply without regard to disability, ethno-cultural identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other historically underrepresented and marginalized identities. Drayton Entertainment is committed to providing a barrier free environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
CURRENT AUDITION OPPORTUNITIES:
Cinderella: The Panto Children’s Chorus
Evita Children’s Chorus
The Children’s Chorus Program offers young performers (ages 8-15) the opportunity to audition for the children’s ensemble in Drayton Entertainment’s productions of Cinderella: The Panto and Evita alongside professional performers in the lead roles. This program is offered completely free of charge.
Audition Date: March 30th
Audition Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm (Registration begins at 12:30 pm)
Audition Location: Huron Country Playhouse (70689 B Line, Grand Bend)
Please see “Preparing for Your Audition” below for essential information on the audition process and what to prepare for the day.
Preparing for Your Audition
The audition process will include:
- Learning a section of choreography as a group
- Singing a portion of the material below as a solo audition
Audition Material
What to bring to your audition:
- Up-to-date resume
- Include any performance experience, vocal/dance/acting classes taken, or special skills you’d like us to know about!
- Up-to-date headshot
- This doesn’t have to be fancy—we just need to be able to put names to faces once the audition has finished. A recent school photo or quick close-up taken at home is perfect!
- Printed copy of the Youth Audition Form (download below)
- Clothes you can move in
- Indoor sneakers/dance shoes
Cinderella: The Panto
Cinderella: The Panto will be on stage at the Huron Country Playhouse from June 4 to June 21, 2025.
Auditions will be held March 30th from 1:00 – 3:00pm at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend (70689 B Line). Registration begins at 12:30 pm.
Rehearsal Schedule
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
- Fri, May 16: 5pm – 9pm
- Sat, May 17: 2pm – 6pm
- Sun, May 18: 2pm – 6pm
- Mon, May 19: OFF
- Tue, May 20: 5pm – 9pm
- Wed, May 21: 5pm – 9pm
- Thu, May 22: 5pm – 9pm
- Fri, May 23: 5pm – 9pm
- Sat, May 24: 2pm – 6pm
- Sun, May 25: 2pm – 6pm
- Mon, May 26: OFF
- Tue, May 27: 5pm – 9pm
- Wed, May 28: 5pm – 9pm
- Thu, May 29: 5pm – 9pm
- Fri, May 30: 5pm – 9pm
- TECHNICAL REHEARSAL Sat, May 31: BLUE 12pm – 4pm & RED 5:00pm – 9:00pm
- TECHNICAL REHEARSAL Sun, June 1: RED 12pm – 4pm & BLUE 5:00pm – 9:00pm
- Mon, June 2: OFF
- TECHNICAL REHEARSAL Tue, June 3: BLUE 12pm – 4pm & RED 5:00pm – 9:00pm
- Performance begin June 4
Youth performers in the production will be divided into two teams (red team and green team) and will perform in the show on an alternating schedule. To view the full schedule of performances as well as more information about the show itself, please visit Drayton Entertainment’s official website.
Children’s chorus members must be available for all rehearsals and shows they are called for.
This is an excellent opportunity to have fun, meet new friends, and gain performance experience in a professional production! Click below to register for your audition!
Performance Schedule
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
*PLEASE NOTE* In accordance with the standards outlined by the Canadian Theatre Agreement, all children’s chorus members MUST be 15-years-old or younger for the ENTIRE run of the show (June 4 to June 21, 2025).
Evita
Evita will be on stage at the Huron Country Playhouse from July 9 to July 26, 2025.
Auditions will be held March 30th from 1:00 – 3:00pm at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend (70689 B Line). Registration begins at 12:30 pm.
Choral Rehearsals
- To Be Confirmed. These will be held prior to the first rehearsal.
On Stage Rehearsals
- Thu, July 3: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Fri, July 4: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- TECHNICAL REHEARSAL Sat, July 5: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
- TECHNICAL REHEARSAL Sun, July 6: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
- Mon, July 7: OFF
- TECHNICAL REHEARSAL Tue, July 8: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
- Performances begin July 9
Youth performers in the production will be divided into two teams (red team and blue team) and will perform in the show on an alternating schedule. To view the full schedule of performances as well as more information about the show itself, please visit Drayton Entertainment’s official website.
Children’s chorus members must be available for all rehearsals and shows they are called for.
This is an excellent opportunity to have fun, meet new friends, and gain performance experience in a professional production! Click below to register for your audition!
Performance Schedule
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
*PLEASE NOTE* In accordance with the standards outlined by the Canadian Theatre Agreement, all children’s chorus members MUST be 15-years-old or younger for the ENTIRE run of the show (July 9 to July 26, 2025).
Register
High School Musical Production of Mean Girls High School Version
The High School Musical Production Program allows high school students across the tri-cities to learn valuable life skills gained by participating in a fully-staged Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy Production
Academy Code of Conduct
Please review our DEYA Code of Conduct prior to auditioning.
If you have any questions regarding auditioning, please reach out to us at youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com.
Past Audition Opportunities
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE PANTO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
PETER PAN: THE PANTO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT PRODUCTION OF FOOTLOOSE
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT CHILDREN’S CHORUS
BUDDY – THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY CHILDREN’S CHORUS
HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT PRODUCTION OF LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL
WIZARD OF OZ: THE PANTO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
THE SOUND OF MUSIC CHILDREN’S
FROZEN JR. AUDITIONS
These auditions are now closed. Thank you to everyone who came out!
Follow us on Instagram @deyouthacademy for Free Audition Tips posted every Tuesday. Also, sign up below for our Youth Academy Newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any exciting updates:
Photo Credits (from Left to Right)
Jenni Burke and Company in Sleeping Beauty: The Panto, Drayton Entertainment, 2019 Season. Director & Choreographer David Connolly, Music Director Nico Rhodes, Set Designer Jean Claude Olivier, Costume Designer Rachel Berchtold, Lighting Designer Kevin Fraser.
Will Parry, Erica Peck, Lia Luz and Company in Company in Wizard of Oz: The Panto, Drayton Entertainment, 2022 Season. Directed and Choreographed by David Connolly; Music Direction by Steve Thomas; Set Design by Jean Claude Olivier; Costume Design by Rachel Berchtold; Lighting Design by Jeff JohnstonCollins; Stage Manager Amber Archbell; Assistant Stage Manager Kelsey Rae; Apprentice Stage Manager Kirstyn Keeble.
Company in Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto. Director & Choreographer David Connolly, Music Director Nico Rhodes, Set Designer Jean-Claude Olivier, Costume Designer Rachel Berchtold, Lighting Designer Kevin Fraser.
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