Now in our 41st year, the YPT Drama School seeks to offer fun-filled introductions to meaningful theatrical experiences. Our classes are led by professional arts educators whose skills are always expanding through our professional development sessions and their own professional experiences. While our classes are developmental and interest-based (vs. skill-or talent-based), we are not only introducing young people to theatre but also helping them develop into positive, social beings whose unique voices and creativity shape our world today and will steward it for the future.
PROGRAMME INFORMATION
- Download the Fall/Winter/Spring Drama School Brochure
- Download SUMMER DRAMA CLASSES registration form
- How to Register for the Drama School
- SUMMER Drama Classes Begin July 5th!
- The Ensemble
- Buy Tickets for the Ensemble
- Scholarships
- Cancellation Policy
- Drama School inquiries
- FREE Show Ticket for Drama School Families
SUMMER DRAMA CLASSES BEGIN July 5th 2010
REGISTER ONLINE NOW You may notice we have made changes to our online registration in an effort to serve you better. If you should have problems with the registration process please let us know at online@youngpeoplestheatre.ca or by calling 416.862.2222.
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HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE DRAMA SCHOOL
REGISTER ONLINE NOW You may notice we have made changes to our online registration in an effort to serve you better. If you should have problems with the registration process please let us know at online@youngpeoplestheatre.ca or by calling 416.862.2222.
When registering online, please note that the codes for our three Drama School locations are as follows:
ET = Etobicoke (
1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive Kipling and Lakeshore Blvd.)
NY = North York ( 7 Edithvale Drive, Yonge & Finch).
DT = Downtown (( 165 Front St. E, Sherbourne & Front), and Market Lane School
( 246 The Esplanade).
- Download/Print the Summer schedule
- Download/Print the Summer Registration Form and Fax to YPT
- Download/Print the Registration Form and Fax to YPT
- Download/Print the Drama School Scholarship Form
- Download/Print the Ensemble Registration Form and Fax to YPT
Entrance to classes is on a first-come-first-served basis. Admission is based upon the date the application is received. Each class is led by professional instructors experienced in theatre and working with young people. Classes are limited to 16 students, unless otherwise stated.
All registration takes place through the downtown Toronto office.
By Fax: Fax completed registration form and release form with a credit card # to YPT at 416.363.5136.
By Mail or In Person: Return completed registration form and release form with payment to Young People's Theatre, 165 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5A 3Z4.
All fees are due upon registration. Payment may be made by cheque, VISA, MasterCard or American Express. NOTE: G.S.T. is applicable for students Grade 9 and up and is included in the printed fees. A $15 service charge will apply to all NSF cheques.
Class Locations & Maps (for fall-winter-spring classes only)
Downtown Toronto
Saturday classes: Young People's Theatre (
165 Front St. E, Sherbourne & Front), and Market Lane School ( 246 The Esplanade).
North York
Sunday classes: Edithvale Community Centre ( 7 Edithvale Drive, Yonge & Finch).
Etobicoke
Saturday classes: The Assembly Hall ( 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive Kipling and Lakeshore Blvd.) Please note: No classes on public holiday weekends occurring during the session.
FREE SHOW TICKET
Drama School Families get ONE FREE SHOW TICKET for each student registered.
A voucher for a free show ticket will be handed out to students on the first day of class and can be redeemed for the show of your choice, subject to availability. (tickets reg. $15 for children/grandparents; $20 adults, incl. GST; service chgs extra) Once you have the voucher you can simply call the Box Office at 416.862.2222 to make your booking.
(one free show ticket per order; offer subject to availability; not valid on previously purchased tickets or with any other offer; voucher has no cash value)
SPRING CLASSES BEGIN March 27th 2010
REGISTER ONLINE NOW You may notice we have made changes to our online registration in an effort to serve you better. If you should have problems with the registration process please let us know at online@youngpeoplestheatre.ca or by calling 416.862.2222.
Downtown
- March 27, 2010
Etobicoke
- March 27, 2010
North York
- March 28, 2010
Class Descriptions
JUNIOR COMPANY Grades JK-6
DRAMA & PLAY | JK-SK
This dynamic class encourages cooperation through theatre games, movement and theatrical arts. Players use imaginative play, rhythm, traditional tales and games to learn about basic storytelling, expressing feelings and
practising positive social skills.
DRAMA CLASSES | Grades 1-4
Drama students learn exciting drama skills such as
character work, concentration and focus, story theatre, mime, stagecraft and much more!
DRAMA CLASSES | Grades 5-6
Students have a creative theatrical experience by learning
through cooperative games, improvisation, scene building,
character study and collective play creation. These classes
will give students the social skills to be confident both on and off the stage.
SENIOR COMPANY Grades 7-12
DRAMA CLASSES | Grades 7-8 and 9-10
Students explore their theatre skills through exercises designed to deepen concentration and focus, and to develop character work.
NEXT STAGE | Grades 7-8 and 9-10
Prerequisite: Drama classes at YPT or equivalent. Returning senior drama students will be given the opportunity to take their drama skills to the next level. Exploring both contemporary and classical text, students will use techniques involving movement, voice, stage combat, mask, mime, scene study, advanced character work and much more. This course is for the student who hopes to move on to advanced theatrical studies.
XTREME THEATRE! | Grades 11-12 | Only offered in the Fall
Participants dig deep in this
conservatory-style like class. In these
sessions, older teens can take on the
commitment necessary for a deeper level
of play and performance: movement,
classical and contemporary texts, social
justice theatre, textual analysis, clown,
improvisation, voice and playwriting.
Participants in Xtreme Theatre! may be
invited to participate in The Ensemble 2010 programme. While enrolment in this
class is not required for The Ensemble,
prior training is recommended.
ON CAMERA | Grades 5-7 and 9-12
These riveting classes are for students whose interest has
led them to explore acting in front of a camera and who
have attended YPT classes previously. Participants will
study film shots, angles, locations, genres and scripts, as
well as write and perform commercials, sitcoms, television and film rol es, and go home with a DVD of their work.
DRAMA & AUDITION TECHNIQUE | Grades 7-8 and 9-12
If you are considering auditioning for the stage, film,
television or an educational programme, this is the class
to take! Students will practice advanced acting techniques
and learn the strategies and skills required to do a
prepared audition or a cold reading.
THE ENSEMBLE
February – May 2010 | Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Drama classes at YPT or equivalent.
The Ensemble '10 is directed by highly regarded, professional theatre director and arts educator, Mark Cassidy. Read more...
Now in its fifth successful year, The Ensemble is an advanced training and performance programme for senior high school students. Most participants who enrol in Xtreme Theatre! will have the expectation of auditioning for The Ensemble, which culminates in five public performances at the end of YPT’s 44th season! Participants may apply as Performer or Production Apprentices.
Students are trained and directed by professional theatre artists. The Ensemble is about creating theatre by young people for young people. If you’re wondering whether theatre is in your future, The Ensemble is the place to find out.
Director's Note:
"I want to emphasize the idea of the theatre artist as an engaged citizen reflecting and commenting on his or her
society. Even at a young age it is important to place the arts in a social context. I find that most high school age students are very aware of what’s going on in the world and want to have a voice, a say, in what’s happening.
I like the word “collaboration”, as well as the phrase “group imagination”. Theatre is an art form that requires give and take, listening to each other, pursuing avenues you may not have considered on your own. During this year’s Ensemble, we will interact with each other, support each other, learn with and from each other. No idea is too big or too small. Don’t be afraid to try things out. Be open, spontaneous, unsure. Surprise yourself. As we move forward in the spirit of collaboration, there will also be plenty of time given to the development of individual performance and play-making skills. Everything, of course, will unfold with the knowledge that we are aiming towards a theatrical presentation at the end. "
- Mark Cassidy, Ensemble '10 Director
Applications will be accepted beginning December 1st and the form will be available for download at that time. Interviews will take place in January, 2010.
3-month Programme Fee: $495 (including GST)
Application Deadline: January 20th, 2010
Interviews/Auditions:
- January 23rd, 2010 at 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
- January 24th, 2010 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- January 25th, 2010 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
We will contact you by January 18th with your audition/interview time.
Please memorize and be prepared to perform a short (2 minutes or less) monologue or poem of your choice.
Additionally, please bring in and be prepared to discuss a newspaper or internet article, which you think is interesting.
Rehearsal Schedule: (attendance is mandatory)
- February 2nd – March 11th (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
- March 16th – April 15th (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday)
- April 12th – May 7th (Monday to Friday)
- May 5th – May 9th at 7:00 pm May 7th at 1:00 pm
The Ensemble is supported by 
| Scholarships for the Drama School and The Ensemble are funded in part by a generous donation from Ada Slaight. |
Scholarships
Please note that limited scholarships are available for low-income families in all of our programmes. To apply, please enclose a letter of request with the completed registration and release forms. Please call for more information.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Fall/Winter/Spring
There are no refunds after the third class in any session. A nominal administration fee will be charged for cancellation. See the session brochure for details.
Summer
CANCELLATION FEE: Please note that there is a nonrefundable $50 cancellation fee. If an application is cancelled, the balance of the fee will be refunded only if we are notified three weeks before the session begins. No refund will be issued after this time.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ALTER ANY PROGRAMMES.
Gallery
Drama school inquiries
Liz Pounsett,
Drama School Coordinator
Tel: 416.363.5131 x242
Email: ithomas@youngpeoplestheatre.ca
