Program Development | Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy

Support Successful Youth Programs

Help support current successful programs for youth, and expand our youth programming building blocks into other exciting arenas, so that we may engage and expose as many people as possible to the magic of live theatre.

Current Programs

Annual High School Musical Project

This musical starring high school students creates a cluster of arts-related activity. It draws students from high schools with positions available in all aspects of performance and production, including stage management, technical, set construction, and wardrobe. The program is offered free of charge, thereby removing some of the financial barriers to participation.

Youth Musical Theatre Training Programs

These classes and workshops – which are offered year-round throughout the province of Ontario – foster and develop skills useful not only for performers, but well-rounded, socially engaged young community citizens.

Youth Education & Outreach Programs

This hands-on learning complements our popular School Matinee program, which provides subsidized access to over 10,000 students each year, along with free study guides to help teachers link content to the provincial curriculum. Future program expansion will include in-school workshops, classes, and readings that provide grassroots access to the arts by taking live theatre directly into the classroom.

Technical Arts Learning Opportunities

Opportunities to learn about the technical components of live theatre production (sets, lighting, sound, wardrobe, paint, and props) serve as solid building blocks for exploring hands-on training through high school co-op placements and our Technical Arts training program for young adults.

Future Initiatives

Theatre For Young Audiences

This initiative will gear programming towards young people, their families, teachers, and peers in a space of joy, wonder, surprise, and connection. With roots in education, it will encompass the presentation of musicals, plays, dance, music and puppetry attended by, and created for, younger audiences.

The Young Company

This year-long advanced training and mentorship program will be geared to aspiring artists wishing to pursue post-secondary education and a career in the theatre. Youth will creative and perform a topical production on stages and events across the province, while receiving training towards their continued professional development.

How To Give

Online: To donate online please choose a giving level below, and you will be linked to the Drayton Entertainment website to complete your donation. Alternatively, you may call our friendly Box Office at 1-855-372-9866.

Mail: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, 145 Northfield Dr. W., Unit C, Waterloo, ON N2L 5J3 Drayton Entertainment Charitable Business Number 12591 1313 RR0001

Tax Receipts: Tax receipts are issued for the full value of all donations. Payment plans are available at select giving levels.

Giving Levels

Youth Academy Programs Supporting Level Gift

$50 - $249

Support our new Youth Academy

Donate

Youth Academy Programs Lead Level Gift

$250 - $2,500

Support our new Youth Academy

Donate

For donations over $2,500, please contact:

Lindsay Bellaire
Development Manager
Phone: (519) 621-5511 ext. 239
Email: lindsay@draytonentertainment.com

Testimonials

This environment is free of judgment and full of love. Thank you for always pushing us and reminding us how important, valued and powerful we all are.

I can’t thank you enough for the courage, independence and kindness you help to instil in my kids.

Although my Dad never spoke of it to Evan or me, he was a little hesitant with the dance stuff and then theatre stuff… but then he came out of the Panto that Evan was in crying, so happy that Evan had found a place where he felt like he belonged.

As parents we got to ride this high with our son. We got to see him, for the first time, totally come into himself, for the first time, pure happiness. Something changed, he has changed….thank you.

This was the most amazing theatre experience I’ve had to date, and I’ve had a LOT! It’s the first time I’ve felt like I really belonged because you made such an inclusive environment.

Thank you! She walked away with more confidence about body image, an even deeper love of everything “theatre” and huge love and respect for her community!

The patience David shows to the children is perfect! As a teacher I recognize that this man was made to work with kids!! The way he speaks to kids makes them believe they can do anything!!!

This is where I want to be. I get to learn from Broadway performers who are performing at a theatre right next door but more importantly, I’ve made lifelong friends. Even the audition process is awesome. Drayton has helped me grow not only as a performer, but as a person.

My son has done lots of programs and I think he felt the most at home here. The children and staff were the most inclusive of any I’ve encountered.

Each and every day he arrived at Huron Country Playhouse, he knew he was stepping into a place where his passions and dreams were going to be honoured, respected and encouraged.

Kids (and even adults!) really have fun and learn skills, responsibility, and teamwork here. David Connolly (Director of Education) is a fantastic leader.

The two musical theatre classes I attended were a lot of fun and I enjoyed them tremendously.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the adult classes at DEYA. It is a great opportunity to get creative with like-minded peers in a judgment-free environment: singing, dancing, acting and even improv! I love that Drayton is giving us adults a chance to live the theatre dream and learn new skills from talented instructors.

The staff involved had an incredible ability to push the kids outside of their comfort zones to try new things and take risks. Most of all, they were able to teach kids to embrace differences and that it’s okay to be different.