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News Room

Welcome to our News Room!

Click through the different sections below to get all the latest news and info from the Drayton Festival Theatre, Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge, Huron Country Playhouse, King's Wharf Theatre, St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre and the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy.


Christina Vegas

May 20, 2024

Waterloo Region Record: Trans performer makes history

Offstage, Christina Vegas -belived to be the first trans person to star in a professional North American production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the Musicallives with the awareness that she’s different in a way some might find off-putting, unusual, even threatening.

Louise Grisdale and Alex Mustakas with a big cheque at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
Black and white photo of Aretha Franklin in 1968

May 8, 2024

“All of a sudden, women had role models in their radios.” Powerful voices drive change in BEEHIVE - The ’60s Musical

Director and choreographer David Connolly celebrates the iconic female singers of the '60s.

Screen shot from Poison's video for Nothin' But a Good Time

May 1, 2024

More Than Words: Rock of Ages gets nostalgic for the era-defining image of 80s music

A raucous celebration of iconic bands hits the stage in this '80s-set rock n’ roll musical this summer.

Kale Penny, Mariah Campos and Aaron Walpole in front of the Rock of Ages background

April 30, 2024

Rock of Ages turns it up to 11 in a hymn to the era of excess

Are you ready to rock? Hardcore audiences squeeze into their acid-washed jeans to worship the loud and proud ’80s.

Matthew Rae MPP, Artistic Director Alex Mustakas, Drayton Entertainment volunteer Ron Ellis, and John Nater MP

April 18, 2024

Volunteer Spotlight: Ron Ellis

It’s impossible to talk about volunteerism at Drayton Entertainment without mentioning former municipal councillor Ron Ellis. He was Volunteer #1 at the place where it all started in 1991, Drayton Festival Theatre.

Drayton Entertainment volunteer Catherine Pettem at Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge.

April 17, 2024

Volunteer Spotlight: Catherine Pettem

Catherine Pettem has lived in Cambridge off and on for over 30 years, and she’s been a part of Drayton Entertainment for more than a decade. During that time, she has amassed an astonishing number of volunteer hours and helped enhance the experience at shows for thousands of audience members.

Drayton Entertainment volunteer Marilyn Pollard - with (from L to R) Mariah Campos, Justin Bott, Tim Porter, and Kristen Pottle from the 2019 production of Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto

April 16, 2024

Volunteer Spotlight: Marilyn Pollard and Tom Pollard

Marilyn Pollard and her oldest son, Tom Pollard, make a formidable team. Marilyn lives in Wallaceburg, and Tom calls London his home. Together, they volunteer at both Huron Country Playhouse’s theatres, racking up hundreds of hours each year.

Sylvia Malgadey with a rescued wolf cub at Wildlife Haven Waterloo.

April 15, 2024

Volunteer Spotlight: Sylvia Malgadey

Sylvia Malgadey competed for Team Canada in the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The Conestoga resident is still quick on her feet as a Drayton Entertainment volunteer, which sometimes includes dancing with members of the audience.

Marilyn Ivanovick and Gary Good hold a mock-up cheque in the foyer of Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge

April 9, 2024

It's no joke! Drayton Entertainment volunteer Marilyn Ivanovick wins big on April 1

The Cambridge resident has been part of the Drayton Entertainment community for more than eight years.

50/50 winner Jamie Hinton holding a big winner's cheque outside King's Wharf Theatre

February 28, 2024

Just too good to be true: Jersey Boys tells the story behind the Four Seasons’ classic, wholesome sound

The Broadway blockbuster doesn’t pull any punches as it authentically recreates the world of one of pop’s most harmonious groups.

David Connolly and Daryl Morris sitting in front of a CTV News Kitchener backdrop. David wears a dark blue shirt and jeans, while Daryl on the right is dressed in a black blazer and white pants. Both are seated on grey upholstered chairs. The backdro

February 21, 2024

CTV: Footloose coming to St. Jacobs Country Playhouse

David Connolly of Drayton Entertainment joins CTV’s Daryl Morris with a preview of the production put on by local high school students.

Mike Farwell of CityNews 570, with David Connolly

February 15, 2024

CityNews 570's Mike Farwell interviews David Connolly, director and choreographer of Footloose

"The story is about youth coming to the aid of a community in need." David Connolly sat down with Mike Farwell from CityNews 570 recently to discuss the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy's production of Footloose.

Photo: Joe McGinty/CambridgeToday
High school students from all over the region rehearse Footloose on stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse

February 8, 2024

CambridgeToday: Cambridge students set to cut 'Footloose' on Drayton stage

Local high school students get put through the ringer learning what it's like to be a professional theatre actor.

Sharon Nwoko, Kira Panda, Evie O'Toole, Mackenna Van Massenhoven and Ronan Hayes with a Footloose logo and a Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical Production logo

January 15, 2024

Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy’s Footloose production lets high school students cut loose, both on- and offstage

Footloose at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse gives high school students a unique taste of professional theatre as they work alongside Drayton Entertainment mentors.

David and Wendy Imrie, along with Alex Mustakas, hold a big 50/50 cheque

January 8, 2024

Good news to start the new year for Kitchener’s David and Wendy Imrie

Former CKCO reporter David Imrie, along with his wife Wendy, became the story themselves on New Year’s Day after they scooped 2023’s biggest monthly jackpot.

Marc Chagall's 1913 painting

December 12, 2023

Legendary Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof balances tradition with the push for change

Nearly 60 years after it first opened on stage, the iconic musical's themes of tradition and belonging continue to resonate with audiences.

Henry and Grace Hildebrand superimposed in front of the Schoolhouse Theatre

November 23, 2023

Hildebrand Family Donates Major Gift

St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre will be renamed in honour of community philanthropists Henry and Grace Hildebrand.

Meryl Penman standing on a sandy beach and smiling

November 20, 2023

Winning June 2021’s 50/50 draw helped Meryl Penman to check an item off of her bucket list

We caught up with one of our previous 50/50 winners to find out how the big jackpot enabled her to treat her family and realize her dreams.

November 15, 2023

Extra dates added for a second time to meet the demand for Peter Pan: The Panto

Audiences can't get enough of the popular panto, which has been extended once again so that even more people can get hooked on the magic.

Mark Harapiak, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Keely Hutton, and Lauren Bowler in Bittergirl - The Musical, Drayton Entertainment, 2023 Season. Directed by Mary Francis Moore; Choreography/Associate Direction by Robin Calvert; Music Direction by Melissa Morris; S
Mark Harapiak, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Keely Hutton, and Lauren Bowler performing in Bittergirl - The Musical

November 14, 2023

Bittergirl – the Musical finds the humour in heartache

Three suddenly single women become friends after they find solace in their shared heartache. The hilarious hit musical Bittergirl - the Musical mirrors the sisterhood and resilience of the trio of writers who created it.

November 14, 2023

Kitchener’s Yvonne McGrath wins November’s 50/50 draw and plans on sharing her good fortune

Latest winner tells her sons, “Guess what? Your old lady won!”

Red Team Photo

November 3, 2023

Red Team Youth Ensemble Announced for Peter Pan: The Panto at the King's Wharf Theatre

Introducing the Red Team Youth Ensemble for Peter Pan: The Panto at the King's Wharf Theatre!

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