YPT’s Drama School is the oldest and largest of its kind in Canada. It’s a place for young people to explore their interest in theatre, mentored by professional and experienced artists. We offer year-round programming celebrating everyone’s unique abilities. Kids and youth discover the power of their own voice, gain confidence, make new friends – and have FUN! We’re 50 – and we’ve never felt so young! Join us for a year filled with celebration and stay tuned for more information on alumni events and anniversary activities. In the meantime, we invite you to submit your memories of YPT Drama School here.
Breanne Ritchie
Former Drama School Staff
“I currently work in the Education Department at the Stratford Festival and can say with confidence that I wouldn't be here without my work experience and pedagogical learning at YPT. When I first came to Toronto to study Theatre at York University, I was thrilled to find YPT and start volunteering in the Drama School in North York. Learning from teachers like Marjie Chud and Paul Lacey was monumental in my growth as a drama instructor and solidified my decision to pursue arts education as a career path. The mentorship I received from administrative staff like Liz Pounsett, Karen Gilodo, Nick Tracey, and Allen MacInnis made me the passionate and capable arts administrator that I am today.”
Sreesa Virinchi
“The new perspectives that I gained through the Drama School have lasted with me until this very moment and will continue to do so. Skills ranging from confidence in public situations to improvisation to creative thinking are all so highly applicable in one's day to day life, and I have only the Drama School to thank for the opportunity to cultivate these skills within myself.”
Rosa Sakhapour
“I’ve encountered so many new people, experiences, and knowledge that has made me much more appreciative of having the opportunity to be surrounded by this industry. I couldn’t imagine being happier in a different theatre, because YPT has transformed me into an individual who is much more confident and determined to follow my dreams.”
Beth Gouda
Student from 2008-2018
“The YPT Drama School is a place where all ideas are valued, and this belief has certainly rubbed off on me. Not only do I feel that YPT has taught me to be inclusive of the ideas of others, but it has helped me gain confidence in sharing my own.”
Bailey Nash
“It's so hard to pick a highlight of my time with Drama School because it's such a huge part of my life, I have so many highlights! The Junior and Senior company were so much fun, especially this year. I was so excited to tackle a real play (Ever in the Glades) in the Senior Company this year, which was the first time I’ve been able to learn from a script. That was an incredible learning experience for me; I feel like I’ve grown as an actor.”
Julia
Student from 2007-2008
“I learned a lot about group work and creative activities and processes that have helped me educate children."
Catherine McNally
Teacher from 1993-2006
“Just by chance I had a group of 15 young female teenagers who really wanted to explore body image. It was a powerful and empowering place for them to be heard. Their performances were riveting. Also I was single when I started teaching there, got married, nursed my son in the green room, he took classes there and then volunteered when he was 14. A truly full circle moment. One of my teaching assistants, Andrew Lamb, has become a dear friend and now he is an Artistic Director of another theatre for young audiences, Roseneath. So proud of him. Also, he has directed me many times. LOL.”
Anonymous
2010-2012
“Working with children reminded me that theatre is about play. The honesty that children bring to their work is what actors strive for with their own craft. Co-creating with the students was inspiring."
Annie Grace
Student 2016, 2017, 2019
“The drama school taught me how to channel my ideas into something creative and productive – creating new content with my friends or learning that I could direct as a director (good!) instead of directing other actors as an actor (not so good).”
Ramona Gilmour-Darling
1990, 2014-Present
“As a teen, I made friends with people who are also still in the arts. As a teacher/parent, I've enjoyed seeing my child participate in the Play in a Day with friends, as well as unwittingly teaching my friends' children. I continue to work in the arts, frequently creating new works with children, and hoping that they feel engaged, excited and supported to thrive just as I was so long ago!”
Alexa Bowie
2010
“YPT has helped me break out of my shell and meet new friends.”
Peter Gallagher
Past Drama School Director
“Reflecting on my twenty seven years at YPT, when every day was a story, has made me realize what a major influence YPT had on my life. It afforded me the extraordinary opportunity to associate and work directly with so many creative and talented people. In particular the wonderful Drama School teachers and staff whose good work and creativity I had the honour and pleasure to encourage and foster. But, most importantly, the opportunity to encourage all those young people who took classes at YPT to explore their creativity and hopefully to touch their lives in some positive way. I wish YPT another 50 years in this important mission.”
Jessica Stevenson
“I loved everything about drama school. The Junior and Senior Ensemble, the process of creating and performing a play was amazing. I once wished that the whole world could be like my group at YPT, where we supported each other, encouraged each other and did great work together.”
Caroline Tsambalieros
“I met my best friend at YPT. Our classmates thought we were sisters because we were never apart. I am so grateful YPT gave me the opportunity to meet her and I will always cherish all the years we spent together doing what we loved.”
Norah O’Donnell
2015-present
“Working with the Drama School is a huge component of my job at YPT. A huge highlight is to see the volunteers in each class achieve their goals and hear about their experiences. I love watching the final presentations in the summer and spring.”
Anonymous
2017
“YPT Summer Drama Camp is my favorite summer camp. The teachers are great, the drama games are fun and I enjoy learning to put a play together and performing.”
Founder of a theatre company
Teacher from 1983-2006
“I learned so much from my time teaching young people at YPT [and elsewhere]. Many of the young people I taught have gone on to careers in theatre and film. Amongst them is the wonderful Liz Pounsett, who is now the Drama School Director! Throughout, the person I learned the most from was the Director at that time, Peter Gallagher. His patience and dedication were an inspiration and have informed my work as I put together classes of my own at my studio!”
S.N.
Student from 2014-2017
“I made friends whom I am still friends with to this day, while I was a student at the drama camps. When I volunteered, I acquired many skills that I still carry with me today.”
Anonymous
2010
“My daughter became more open to others and play.”
Natasha
2019
“I was able to see the students grow through the program and their smiles after they got to present their show on stage.”
Sarah Caraher
Spring and Summer 2019
“I am an actor and a teacher. Working with YPT helped me improve my leadership and communication skills which are so important in my career!”
Tamara Bahry
1982
“I was in finance for a long time and now I run a non-profit. I found the impromptu work we did at YPT to be valuable when making conversation, as well as the public speaking.”
Natalia Gracious
Drama School Teacher 2017-2019
“The highlight for me is always watching the year-end/end of camp productions. It's amazing what students come up with and the performances that come to life from scratch.”
Annie Grace Cumings Ledbetter
“The drama school taught me how to channel my ideas into something creative and productive - creating new content with my friends or learning that I could direct as a director (good!) instead of directing other actors as an actor (not so good.)”
Laura Jane Elkin
1980s
“I remember about 40 years ago (yikes!), taking the subway downtown by myself at age 11, climbing the back stairs up to the attic Studio ...playing lots of theatre games and improv. Long time ago, but these classes set me up for life, and life skills. 40 years later, my daughter is at YPT classes in Etobicoke.”
Senior Company Director
“My highlight at YPT has been working with enthusiastic and dedicated students who were supportive of each other's work and passionate about our project.”
S.G
Aug 6 - 16, 2019
“I loved meeting new people and participating in a play at the end of the two weeks.”
A.Z.S.
Summer of 1980
“Oh my gosh – this is one of my most enjoyable memories of being a kid. Riding the subway alone for the first time all the way up from Union to Finch every day, daily visits to St. Lawrence Market for lunch with the rest of the troupe (it was a troupe for 13-17 year-olds -- I was the ‘kid’), but most of all it was meeting all the other amazing ‘theatre geeks like me who chose to spend an entire month of their summer indoors doing weird exercises, playing games and being onstage! I found my people – I can still remember lots of names and faces even 25 plus years later. Letter from the Master of Horses was the play we created based on a poem and I learned how to be a dead body on stage (it`s all in learning how to take small breaths) and how to be part of an ensemble.”
M.
October 2018-June 2019
“Interacting with the students and getting to see how talented, intelligent and mature they are. I'm pursuing a career in acting and YPT has given me skills with respect to teaching and how to work with students to ensure they're completing their work.”
Student
Summer of 2019
“I have learned much more than I expected. YPT has transformed me into an individual who is much more confident and determined to follow my dreams. I loved working with the staff and teachers because everyone is so kind and caring. I've also become more creative due to my work with the Grade 8/9 class.”
Deedee Edelstein
1973 -74
“Didn't want to teach at first. Only wanted to act. But very quickly learned that I loved teaching, loved the students and that they taught me a lot. I have continued to act and taught in other schools. But where it impacted was in my second career working with children with autism.”
Anthony Zinchenko
Student from 2018
“I am more confident in class now.”
Summer Drama School Teaching Support
2019
“This particular activity involved the production of an original theatrical performance, to be created in the span of two productive weeks. Working with a teacher and teaching assistant, as well as an exuberant, committed group of students there was not a seed of doubt that our final performance would not only entertain our beloved audience, but also a true testament to the power of hard work and devotion. Through employing a democratic system of authority early on, our group of grade 6-7's were able to contribute copious amounts of ideas and suggestions, all of which were considered and some used. The collective goal we shared was to produce a memorable and thoroughly detailed performance; therefore the teamwork observed by some of us was inspiring, and a genuine display of the importance of collaboration. ”
