Overview
Here's what makes Young People's Theatre/YPT stand out
Drama classes for JK-SK take place at YPT’s brand new education centre, YPT 161 Studios, as well as Etobicoke’s Assembly Hall. The Drama School offers year-round programming. Session 1 is offered from September to December, with students performing for family and friends in mid-December. Session 2 takes place from February/March to June, culminating in an end of year performance on a YPT stage. New students are welcome throughout the year; however each session builds upon the last. Enrolling in both sessions provides the most comprehensive learning experience. March Break and Summer Drama Camps are also offered.

Special needs: Yes, mild support.
A few of our campers have special needs.

LGBTQ+ friendly community
Visit the Young People's Theatre/YPT website

Programs, Rates & Dates

Programs and Sessions Calendar

YPT’s Drama School is a place for young people to explore their interest in theatre, mentored by professional and experienced artists. We offer year-round programming celebrating all abilities and levels. Kids and youth discover the power of their own voice, gain confidence, self-esteem, self-awareness and make new friends and have fun! The Drama School – now in its 55th year – embodies Young People's Theatre's vision: to have a positive impact on the emotional, social and intellectual development of young people.

Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; Young People's Theatre/YPT currently has 1 program available; 2 TBD.

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Name

Type/Gender

Specialty

Location

Date

Bus

Cost

Drama School - Session 2 (Spring 2025)

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Class/league/program
Coed
Ages: 4 - 18

Theatre Arts

$415 to $550

St Lawrence, Toronto, ON
165 Front Street East

Feb 22-Jun 08

$415 - $550

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

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Class/league/program
Coed
Ages: 1 - 18

Theatre Arts

$300 to $500

St Lawrence, Toronto, ON
165 Front Street East

Date TBD

Cost TBD

Summer Drama Camp

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Day Camp
Coed
Ages: 4 - 18+

Performing Arts (multi), Acting (Film & TV)

$330

St Lawrence, Toronto, ON
161 Frederick Street

Date TBD

Cost TBD

Registration Details

Registering online is the quickest and simplest way to reserve your class. If you are having difficulty registering online, please call the Drama School at 416.862.2222 x242 or email [email protected] and the Drama School team will be happy to assist you. Bursaries and awards are also available. 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 [email protected].

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.

Reviews & Insider 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.

Visit the Young People's Theatre/YPT website

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

Video interviews with parents, campers, and alum
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?
More reviews of Young People's Theatre/YPT

Andrea, Parent

AMAZING!
Read review

Vera, Camper

CONNECTING!
Read review

Jaimee S., Student, Camper

AMAZING EXPERIENCE
Read review

More reviews 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!”

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Meet the Staff

Director's Message

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!

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 st... Read more

Staff and Counsellors

The Artist Educator program at YPT furthers the theatre’s leadership in the field of arts education. Artist Educators are selected each season to facilitate school and community programs, as well as Drama School, in the Education & Participation Department. YPT's Drama classes are facilitated by a diverse community of professional and experienced artist educators.

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Location & Operations

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
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
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Young People's Theatre/YPT

Young People's Theatre/YPT

Overview

Here's what makes Young People's Theatre/YPT stand out

Programs, Rates & Dates

Programs and Sessions Calendar

Registration Details

Financial Aid & Payment Details

Reviews & Insider Perspectives

The Our Kids review of Young People's Theatre/YPT

Video interviews with parents, campers, and alum

Janet Bowring, Parent

More reviews of Young People's Theatre/YPT

More reviews of Young People's Theatre/YPT

Andrea, Parent

Vera, Camper

Jaimee S., Student, Camper

Gallery

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

Meet the Staff

Director's Message

Staff and Counsellors

Location & Operations

Address

Property Details

What's New

Stories

Social Feeds

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