WATERLOO – Theatre fans ages nine to 18 are invited to have fun and meet new friends during five days of performing arts training at Drayton Entertainment’s March Break Broadway Boot Camps, which will be held in person at the brand-new Youth Academy.
The theatre company is offering two options – Disney on Broadway Boot Camp for ages nine to 11, and Broadway Blockbusters Boot Camp for ages 12 to 18. The camps will run from March 14 to March 18 from 9am to 5pm.
Organizers urge parents and youth to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Those who participate will be among the first students to take class in person at the new Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy located at 145 Northfield Dr W in Waterloo.
Classes will take place in the new rehearsal halls filled with natural light, wall-to-wall mirrors, wood sprung floors, state-of-the-art sound and screen systems, and a water bottle hydration station.
Students will get to explore the new space as they learn from associate artistic director David Connolly and other professional artist teachers.
Kids in the Disney On Broadway Boot Camp will learn four major production numbers from popular Disney shows including Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, and Encanto. Performers will receive practical insight into how big musical numbers are rehearsed and performed while they work to produce a showcase of classic Disney showstoppers.
The Final Showcase will be presented on stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse on March 18 at 3pm.
Teens in the Broadway Blockbusters Boot Camp will learn four production numbers from mega-hit Broadway shows including Wicked, The Prom, Mean Girls, and Come From Away. Performers will receive practical insight into how big musical numbers are rehearsed and performed while they work to produce a showcase of hit Broadway songs. The final Showcase will be presented on stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse on March 18 at 4pm.
Building on the fundamentals of singing, acting, and movement, students in both camps will develop an understanding of reading sheet music, vocal production, choreography and creating dynamic characters within the ensemble.
In addition, students will attend masterclasses with industry professionals including a Zoom Q&A with casting director, Sherry Dayton of Dayton Walters Casting (My Little Pony, PJ Masks, Paw Patrol, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Matilda.)
“We know kids and teens are always looking for fun things to do during the break, and with so many extracurricular activities cancelled during the pandemic, students are missing the arts more than ever,” said Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas.
“Our Broadway Boot Camps are uniquely designed to cultivate young talent, connect young performers, and give them the chance to hone their skills for future success.
“Plus, they will have such a great time together in person, and that connection is so important, now more than ever.”
The boot camps are taught and overseen by Connolly, who is the director of education for Drayton Entertainment’s new Youth Academy. Connolly’s resume includes work on major musicals like the pre-Broadway production of First Wives Club in Chicago and numerous Drayton Entertainment productions including Kinky Boots, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Disney’s Newsies, Mamma Mia!, and many of Drayton Entertainment’s popular panto productions.
As the only amputee to have ever performed on Broadway, Connolly is a proud advocate who’s deeply committed to matters concerning inclusion in the arts. As an educator, he has been an adjunct professor, director, and advisor to the Musical Theatre Performance Programs at Sheridan College, Randolph College, Fanshawe College, and St Lawrence College.
Theatre officials state the training programs at the new Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy are designed to “cultivate community and collaboration, ignite imagination, and boost confidence” while providing youth interested in theatre with the opportunity to hone their skills and develop a deeper appreciation for live performance.
Participation in the Broadway Boot Camp programs is limited to 30 participants per age bracket in order to guarantee personal faculty-student attention. Auditions are not required.
To ensure that everyone feels comfortable and confident with their decision to participate in programs in person at the Youth Academy facility, health and safety protocols will be in place.
Visit www.draytonentertainment.com/online/article/march-break-2022 for additional information about the March Break Broadway Boot Camps or to register.
