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:
Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. – Penetanguishene
The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy is proud to present 100 years of Disney magic with a BRAND-NEW musical revue created by the Disney On Broadway team that invites young performers to explore the dreams that live inside all of us!
Program Dates: August 24th to September 5th, 2026
Performance: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Ages: 10 – 18
Cost: $550 + HST
Audition Date: Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
Audition Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm (registration begins at 4:30pm)
Audition Location: Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre
Click here for more information.
Preparing for your Audition
Auditions will be held at the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre (61 Maria St, Penetanguishene) on Wednesday, March 18.
Registration: 4:30pm
Audition: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
The audition process will include:
- Learning a section of choreography as a group
- Singing a portion of the material below as a solo audition
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 here
- Clothes you can move in
- Indoor sneakers/dance shoes
Disney’s Dare to Dream at the King’s Wharf Theatre
Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. is a 60-minute, high-energy production that follows a group of eager new recruits on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. As they embark on a journey of discovery, they learn how dreams – both big and small – can unite, inspire, and make the impossible possible.
Featuring a thrilling blend of timeless classics, contemporary hits, and fresh medleys, this heartfelt revue will delight Disney fans of every generation and aligns perfectly with The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy’s mission to empower youth through bravery and belonging.
Together, 24 talented students will dive into a rehearsal process filled with heart, humour, and high-energy choreography. With bold numbers like I Just Can’t Wait To Be King, powerful anthems like How Far I’ll Go and Just Around the Riverbend, and showstoppers like Be Our Guest, Friend Like Me, and Hakuna Matata, performers will grow as vocalists, storytellers, and ensemble members.
From emotional ballads like Part of Your World, Out There, and When You Wish Upon A Star to uplifting finales like Go The Distance and You’ve Got A Friend In Me, this revue reminds us that A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes—and it’s one worth chasing.
Mark your calendars:
Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. will take the stage for two performances on September 5th, 2026, at the King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, with a potential additional third performance on the morning of September 5th, based on ticket sales.
This opportunity is ideal for students seeking advanced-level musical theatre training in a professional setting.
Let Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. be where your performing dreams come true.
Rehearsal and Performance Schedule
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
Audition Form
If you are unable to attend the in-person audition on March 18, please contact youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com to make alternate arrangements.
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
CINDERELLA: THE PANTO CHILDREN’S CHORUS
MEAN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL VERSION
EVITA CHILDREN’S CHORUS
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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