Drayton Entertainment Announces Inaugural Youth Academy High School Musical Production
October 13, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – OMG you guys!!! Announcing Legally Blonde the Musical, starring local high school students from Waterloo Region in the inaugural Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical Production.
A fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde the Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances, this Girl Power musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
This exciting new High School Musical Production Program allows high school students across the tri-cities to learn valuable life skills gained by participating in a fully-staged Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy Production at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse from February 15 to February 26, 2023.
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 Program will offer 100% barrier-free access, including financial, emotional and physical, 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.
For 2023, auditions will be open to all secondary students in the Waterloo Region District School Board and Waterloo Catholic District School Board, both of which 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 impressive résumé includes numerous Drayton Entertainment productions including Mamma Mia!, Kinky Boots, Annie, Hairspray, Disney’s Newsies, and the popular family pantos Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Aladdin, and Snow White.
“As we look to the future, we are committed to providing positive experiences for the next generation of artists onstage and behind-the scenes, which transcend the arts to shape future leaders and community-minded citizens,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “This production will provide an opportunity for us to support a broad generational shift in society by creating a socially aware and inclusive environment where these talented young people can flourish.”
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 Saturday, November 12, and Sunday, November 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
These auditions will be for singing only. A mandatory dance call for ALL auditioning performers will be Tuesday, November 15 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Callbacks for speaking roles will take place on Sunday, November 20 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Students interested in mentoring with backstage departments are invited to schedule 10-minute interviews will take place at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
To schedule audition and interview appointments, and for more information, please visit: https://www.draytonentertainmentyouthacademy.com/about/legally-blonde/
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