Please click on each question for answers to expand below.
1. What are your COVID-19 protocols?
Please click here to learn more about our COVID-19 protocols.
2. Where are in-person drama classes being held in 2023.24?
Classes take place at YPT (YPT 161 Studios), and the Assembly Hall in Etobicoke. See location details here.
3. What happens if in-person classes are cancelled due to public health guidelines?
If we do have to shut down any in-person class(es) we offer a prorated credit/refund to those who do not wish to continue with us online.
4. What sort of activities will my child be doing in class?
In every term, students learn fundamental theatre skills through process based drama. There is a wide variety of age-appropriate exercises and games that are used to develop improvisation, character creation, movement and vocal projection skills. Younger students can expect to be working with games that develop their ability to express themselves physically and emotionally – such as role playing animals in different scenarios, recreating fairy tales, and imagining and performing the emotions we experience in a wide variety of situations.
Older students will be engaged with more advanced improvisation games and storytelling exercises, developing their ability to fully engage their voices and bodies in the development of their characters, as well as honing their narrative and scene building skills. In the Spring term, students work as an ensemble to create their very own original play using the technique of collective creation. While the Fall and Winter/Spring curricula are cumulative in nature and all focus on process-based drama, students are welcome to participate in individual sessions of Drama School, joining at any point throughout the year.
5. What is “process-based drama”? What is “collective creation”?
“Process-Based Drama” is a foundational approach of YPT’s Drama School. This means that we prioritize the process of how children learn about theatre without emphasis being on a polished final product. Our educational philosophy is that children learn by doing, meaning all lessons are a journey to the learning goal and not simply taught directly.
The term “Collective Creation” refers to theatre created by a group around a given theme. This process allows for creative input such as writing, staging, and performance from all members of the class in the development of an original piece. Our experienced faculty introduces the primary phases of devised theatre by gathering, creating and refining material in a collaborative environment. Skills taught through Collective Creation include imagination, communication, teamwork and risk-taking.
6. Do you offer trial classes?
New programs are sometimes introduced in this way. If we offer a trial class, details can be found on each program’s page. We also encourage you to check out our website for a detailed description of our programs.
7. Can I attend class with my child?
We do not allow parents to watch their child’s drama class, because it can take away from the learning. Having adults in the room other than the teacher, can negatively impact the sense of safety of all the children in the room. However, we acknowledge there may be times when a student would benefit from extra support in the class. If you feel this may be the case, please contact the Drama School at YPTDramaSchool@youngpeoplestheatre.org to speak with our staff.
8. Are there any singing or dancing elements in class?
Teachers use movement and vocal work in class as part of warm ups and exercises, and occasionally teachers or students may bring music or songs to class as part of collective creation, but we do not focus on teaching these as separate disciplines. If a student is interested in Music Theatre, we often offer this as a youth summer drama camp for students entering Gr. 8 – 12.
9. Who are the teachers?
Our Drama School teachers are professional artist educators who have extensive experience teaching children and youth. They are adept at creating a safe and supportive environment in which students can be at ease playing and learning while developing their theatre skills. Please visit our faculty page for individual teacher biographies. You will be notified as to who your child’s teacher will be before the start of each term. Please note: each teacher is always accompanied by an assistant teacher or volunteer. All have undergone recent vulnerable sector police checks.
10. Will my child have the same teacher each term?
While we aim to keep teacher schedules consistent for both sessions, this is not always possible.
11. Do students have an opportunity to perform on stage?
Yes! At the end of each session and during Summer Drama Camp, students perform in either our Studio Theatre or on the Ada Slaight Stage at YPT. These performances are open to family and friends of the student, and are a great opportunity for students from our Etobicoke location to experience being in our theatre downtown.
12. Are bursaries/scholarships available?
Bursaries are available for all classes, specialty programs and camps. Please visit the bursary section of our website for more information and to apply.
13. What is the cancellation policy?
To read our Cancellation Policies, click here.
14. Do you have a waitlist if a class is sold out?
We do have a waitlist and if your class is sold out we encourage you to contact us by e-mail, YPTDramaSchool@youngpeoplestheatre.org, to place your child’s name on the list. We draw from our waitlists regularly.
15. Are there any make-up classes or will I be provided a refund for a missed class?
Unfortunately we cannot offer make-up classes or refunds for unattended classes.
16. Can I still enroll my child at Drama School if the term has already begun?
Yes. We accept registrations up until the second week of each session, or up until the second day of Summer Drama Camp.
17. Must a child have participated in the Fall session in order to enroll in the Winter/Spring session?
We encourage enrollment in both sessions to make the most out of our cumulative curriculum. Our faculty are highly skilled in integrating a new student into the group at the start of each session.
18. Can I pay in installments?
If you wish to discuss an alternative payment schedule, please contact the Drama School at YPTDramaSchool@youngpeoplestheatre.org.
19. How do your classes support students with special needs?
At YPT our goal is for everyone of diverse abilities to feel welcome and comfortable. Please see our Accessibility Statement. Our faculty receives annual training around creating safe, productive and enriching learning environments for students with a wide range of abilities. If you are aware your child benefits from a particular support in an educational setting, we encourage you to reach out to us to discuss how best we can create a happy and successful experience for them.
20. Can I register my child even though they do not have any experience in drama?
Yes! We welcome everyone. The YPT Drama School is a place where students can come with any level of drama experience or interest. Our faculty is very capable at making everyone feel welcome, and delivering engaging group experiences with students of varying skill levels.
21. My child can be nervous in new situations. Can they meet a new teacher in advance?
We recognize that students of varying abilities can be greatly supported by meeting a new teacher in advance. If an in-person meeting or phone call would be beneficial to your child, please email us at YPTDramaSchool@youngpeoplestheatre.org.
22. My child is very shy. Will they get along with other kids?
We believe a diversity of personalities in a group benefits everyone, but we understand it may take some children longer to feel comfortable around a new group than others. Theatre is a collective experience and our faculty work very hard to ensure that everyone in the class is working together to have fun and learn.
23. Can I register my child in a class outside of their age range?
We do not allow students to register in classes outside their grade. We believe students benefit from working with their immediate peers. This enables students to connect through common concerns and issues, which is especially important in the collective creation process, whereby they collaborate on stories they will tell through theatre.
24. Is my child allowed to wear their headphones during class?
We understand that some students may have a sensory disability that may increase their sensitivity to sounds and noise. We would ask that you have a conversation with your child’s teacher about how best to support your child, which may include using headphones in certain situations.
