Young People's Theatre/YPT

Summary Profile
Young People's Theatre/YPT answered our questions

Who are you as an organization?
YPT’s Drama School, the largest in Canada, provides classes for toddlers to teens, of all levels and abilities. We offer year-round programs from weekly classes to full-day camps. Mentored by professional artists, campers discover the power of their own voice and gain confidence while making new friends and having fun! Now at YPT 161 Studios and Etobicoke's Assembly Hall.

Special needs: Yes, mild support.
A few of our campers have special needs.
What do you do differently or uniquely well?

This information is not available.

Who are your staff and counsellors?

This information is not available.

What do families need to know about registration?

This information is not available.

Photo Gallery
Video Gallery

Programs, Rates & Dates

Programs and Sessions Calendar

Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; Young People's Theatre/YPT currently has 2 programs available.

Filter activities available:

Name

Type/Gender

Specialty

Location

Date

Bus

Cost

Drama School - Session 1 (Fall to December 2023)

view details

Class/league/program
Coed
Ages: 1 - 18

Theatre Arts

$300 to $500

St Lawrence, Toronto, ON
165 Front Street East

Sep 23-Dec 16

$300 - $500

Drama School - Session 2 (Feb/March to June 2024)

view details

Class/league/program
Coed
Ages: 1 - 18

Theatre Arts

$300 to $500

St Lawrence, Toronto, ON
165 Front Street East

Mar 02-Jun 08

$300 - $500

Financial Aid & Payment Details

Payment Options:

Credit card payment	Yes
Maximum installments available	1

Scholarships & awards:

Bursary Program

Amount: 100% Deadline: Rolling

Type: Need based
Details: All young people deserve to be seen, to be heard and to matter. Consequently, Young People’s Theatre seeks to reduce barriers such as cost to participation in its programs. Our bursaries are made possible by The Slaight Family Foundation and the generous donations of individuals in the YPT community. The Drama School’s annual bursary fund is allocated with fairness in mind, and with the goal of granting as many opportunities as possible for children and youth to express themselves theatrically and discover the power of their own creative voice and imagination. Bursary applications will be held in complete confidence.
Application Details: Bursary applications can be downloaded from our website. Please return a completed bursary application along with a registration form. Forms can be mailed, faxed or handed into the Box Office.

Insider Reviews & Perspectives
The Our Kids review of Young People's Theatre/YPT

YPT, by anyone’s reckoning, is a great Canadian arts institution. Founded in 1966 producing professional quality plays, and rightly gaining widespread attention because of it. Susan Rubes, the founder, was something of a force in the arts, and an indefatigable proponent both of what kids could do and what her programs should do for them. She believed that “only the best is good enough for children,” and built YPT in that vein. It soon grew to a stature equal to the professional companies in Toronto, becoming an important part of the city’s cultural scene. Directorship was filled by a who’s who of the theatre world, including Richard Ouzounian, and Peter Moss, who arrived from a role at the Stratford Festival. The perspective wasn't that children’s theatre was a lesser, smaller version of adult theatre, but rather that it was a unique and vital expression on par with it. That sense remains to this day, and kids who participate are truly participating in something very much at the heart of Canadian theatre and its traditions. Directorship is as good as it gets, as is the faculty who run the programs. For kids interested in the arts, the experience of participating in the YPT is as inspiring as it is singular. It’s arguably the foremost program of its kind in the country, a position it’s maintained for over half a century.

Three Things: Young People's Theatre/YPT
Hear the three things that Our Kids’ editors see when they look at Young People's Theatre/YPT

Visit Young People\'s Theatre/YPT website

Insider's Perspective(s) of Young People's Theatre/YPT
Janet Bowring, Parent

00:42 - What's unique about the program at Young People's Theatre that made you want to enroll your children there?
01:23 - Was this your children's first experience with camp?
01:50 - Was there any change or noticeable personal growth in your children after time at camp?
02:20 - How can you as a parent support your child to get the most out of this camp?
03:03 - What do your children say about the camp, either to you or that you may have heard them say to friends or others?
03:32 - Final thoughts?
Review(s) of Young People's Theatre/YPT

Andrea (Parent) — AMAZING!

“AMAZING team. AMAZING experience. The online Drama Camp was THE BEST.”

Vera (Camper) — CONNECTING!

“REALLY FUN! A great way to CONNECT WITH OTHERS.”

Jaimee S., Student (Camper) — AMAZING EXPERIENCE

“I had AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE doing the classes and I would like to do them again!”
Location & Site Details

Address

St Lawrence, Toronto
165 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3Z4
St Lawrence, Toronto
161 Frederick Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A4P3

Property Details

More details about property: YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE (YPT) is the oldest professional theatre company in Toronto and is a national producer and presenter of theatre for young audiences – the first and largest of its kind in Canada.The theatre is located at 165 Front Street East. Within the building there are two performance spaces: the Mainstage Theatre and the Studio Theatre. During the summer, camps are held in both our downtown locations: Young People’s Theatre and Market Lane Public School at 246 The Esplanade.
What's New
Director's Message

Drama School Director, Liz Pounsett
B.A., M.F.A., Diplôme de L’École International Jacques Lecoq, plus years of teaching

At the YPT Drama School, our students are front and centre in all that we do, from our weekly drama classes to our intensive advanced training workshops. Led by professional artist educators with extensive teaching experience, we are proud to offer thoughtful programming that inspires and challenges students through engaging play and the fun of telling their own stories. Join us this season and discover the wonder and excitement of the theatre!

Ask a question

In the News

November 27, 2020
Registration for Online Winter Classes Now Available!
You can now register your child for our Winter Drama School term! Visit youngpeoplestheatre.org/dramaschool for more info.... Read More
Stories

Here's what people are saying about YPT's Drama Camps
"It helped build his teamwork skills, which are key to his success at school, as well as reinforcing his self-confidence (and he learned a fantastic Russian accent!)" - Drama School parent

"My daughter (9) who has anxiety issues is learning to be more confident in your drama program. She loves the programs." - Drama School parent

"Awesome, fun experience -- they can't stop talking about it" - Drama School parent

"I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate you and your company for running such a fabulous camp. Everyone I have encountered has been cheerful, professional, passionate and dedicated. I am impressed!" - Drama School parent

"These are my people." - Drama School student
Social Feeds