WELLINGTON COUNTY — It’s time to cut loose and kick off your Sunday shoes! Announcing Footloose the Musical, starring local high school students from Waterloo Region in the second annual Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical Production.
The hit Broadway show is based on the popular movie, which follows the story of Ren McCormack, a teenager from Chicago who moves to a small town, where he attempts to overturn its ban on dancing.
The production is packed with iconic dance moves and memorable songs including Top 40 hits like Let’s Hear It For The Boy, Almost Paradise, and the show’s title song, Footloose.
After the success of the inaugural High School Musical Production of Legally Blonde, Footloose will once again provide high school students with the opportunity to acquire invaluable life skills through participation in a fully staged Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy production, which will run at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse from Feb. 14 to 25, 2024.
The award-winning not-for-profit theatre company has been steadily growing its training offerings for young performers over the past several years, including launching its new, state-of-the-art training hub, the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy. Its mission is to provide performing and technical arts training opportunities anchored in the Drayton Entertainment brand of live theatre excellence, facilitated by professional industry mentors. The program is designed to cultivate community, incite leadership, ignite imagination, and boost confidence in a socially aware, inclusive environment.
The High School Musical Production will offer 100% barrier-free access to unite students from different backgrounds, identities, cultures, abilities and interests, completely free of charge. Drayton Entertainment is committed to diverse, inclusive casting without regard to disability, ethnocultural identity or gender.
Auditions will be open to all secondary students, and both the Waterloo Region District School Board and Waterloo Catholic District School Board have pledged their enthusiastic support of the program. In addition to all performing roles, the organization will also be hosting interviews for backstage roles in tech departments including lights, props, sets, sound, wardrobe, and stage management.
Associate Artistic Director David Connolly will direct and choreograph. Connolly’s résumé includes numerous Drayton Entertainment productions including Kinky Boots, The Prom, Mamma Mia!, and the popular family pantos Wizard of Oz and this fall’s Peter Pan.
“Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy shows our commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists onstage and behind-the scenes,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “The annual High School Musical Project helps foster a sense of belonging for many young people. By building community-minded citizens, we benefit society as a whole.”
For this production of Footloose the Musical, Drayton Entertainment is actively looking to create a world that represents the diversity of Waterloo Region both onstage and off. As such, the charitable arts organization welcomes and encourages young people of all races, ethnicities, abilities, and gender identities to audition for all roles.
Students interested in becoming a performing cast member are invited to schedule singing auditions that will take place at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy on Sept. 14 from 5 to 9pm, Sept. 15 from 5 to 9pm, Sept. 16 from 10 to 6pm, and Sept. 17 from 10 to noon.
These auditions will be for singing only. A mandatory dance call for ALL auditioning performers will be Sept. 18 from 6:30 to 9pm. Callbacks for speaking roles will take place on Sept. 25 from 7 to 9pm.
Students interested in mentoring with backstage departments are invited to schedule 10-minute interviews, which will take place at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy on Sept. 26 and 27 from 5 to 9pm.
The Season Sponsor of all Youth Academy programs, including the High School Musical Project, is Heffner Group of Companies.
To schedule audition and interview appointments, and for more information, please visit draytonentertainmentyouthacademy.com/footloose/.
