Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy announces auditions for The Little Mermaid

WATERLOO – Local high school students will star in Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy’s fourth annual high school musical production. 

This year the academy will present Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Hamilton Family Theatre in Cambridge from Sept. 23 to Oct. 4.

Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.

Drayton Entertainment officials say after the success of Legally Blonde, Footloose, and Mean Girls High School Version, Disney’s The Little Mermaid will once again provide high school students with the opportunity to acquire invaluable life skills through participation in a fully staged Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy production. 

The award-winning not-for-profit theatre company has been steadily growing its training offerings for young performers over the past several years through the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, a state-of-the-art training hub located in Waterloo, officials state in a press release. 

Its mission is to provide performing and technical arts training opportunities anchored in the Drayton Entertainment brand of live theatre excellence, facilitated by professional industry mentors. 

The program is designed to cultivate community, incite leadership, ignite imagination, and boost confidence in a socially aware, inclusive environment.

The High School Musical Production will offer barrier-free access to unite students from different backgrounds, identities, cultures, abilities and interests, completely free of charge. 

For this production of The Little Mermaid, Drayton Entertainment is looking to create a world that represents the diversity of Waterloo Region both onstage and off. 

As such, the charitable arts organization welcomes and encourages young people of all races, ethnicities, abilities, and gender identities to audition for all roles.

Auditions will be open to all secondary students, and both the Waterloo Region District School Board and Waterloo Catholic District School Board have pledged their enthusiastic support of the program. 

In addition to all performing roles, the organization will also be hosting interviews for backstage roles in tech departments including lights, props, sets, sound, wardrobe, and stage management.

“Our high school project exists to champion young people - onstage, backstage, and beyond,” stated artistic director  David Connolly. 

“The experience is designed to be more than a quality production; it’s meant to create a place where students discover their voice, their courage, and their sense of belonging. 

“When young artists are empowered to take creative risks, and find belonging, the impact reaches far beyond the theatre walls.”

Returning to direct and choreograph for a second year, Jackie Mustakas is back at the helm. 

Reflecting on the heart of the show, Mustakas stated: “The Little Mermaid is a musical about finding your voice, claiming your identity, and choosing who you want to become, even when it’s scary.” 

Mustakas aims to foster an environment of creativity, inclusivity, kindness and joy, encouraging students to express themselves and build lasting memories, while developing skills that will serve them for life.

Students interested in joining the cast are invited to schedule singing auditions at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy in Waterloo on April 15 from 5 to 9pm, April 16 from 5 to 9pm, April 18 from 10am to 6pm, April 22 from 5 to 9pm and April 25 from 10am to 6pm.

These auditions will be for singing only. A mandatory dance call for all auditioning performers will be April 26. Callbacks for speaking roles will take place April 29 from 6 to 9pm.

Students interested in mentoring with backstage departments are invited to schedule 15-minute interviews, which will take place at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy on April 21 and 22 from 5:30 to 8pm.

The season sponsor of all Youth Academy programs is Heffner Group of Companies, the major sponsors are Brad Carr and Susan Wagler and the supporting sponsor is the Stork Family Fund held at Waterloo Region Community Foundation. For more, visit draytonentertainmentyouthacademy.com/high-school-project-2026.