Stage Door News

Cambridge: Jason Robert Brown leads Drayton Summer Camp and virtual mentor and speaker series

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Excitement is building for summer programs at our new Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, and now students will have the incredible opportunity to learn from Broadway artists in virtual workshops included with enrollment in the camp experience.

Acclaimed Broadway composer and lyricist Jason Robert Brown (13: The Musical, The Last Five Years, Parade) leads the Virtual Mentor and Speaker Series, which also includes performers Karen Burthwright (Broadway’s Paradise Square), Benjamin Pajak (Broadway’s The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman), Hailey Lewis (Toronto’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), and Claybourne Elder (Broadway’s Company). Click here to learn more!

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Sign up for Summer Camp!

Students enrolled in any Youth Academy Summer Camp are eligible to participate in the virtual mentor and speaker series! There are limited spots still available. Choose from one-week camps for Kids (8-10), Youth (11-13) or Teens (14-18) in the following weeks:

July 4 – 8

Kids: Anne of Green Gables & The Wizard of Oz Theme

Youth: Matilda & School of Rock Theme

Teens: Mean Girls & Bring It On! Theme


July 11 – 15

Kids: Disney's The Little Mermaid & Beauty and the Beast Theme

Youth: Seussical & Mary Poppins Theme

Teens: The Prom & Legally Blonde Theme

Teens: Technical Theatre 101 Camp


July 18 – 22

Kids: Shrek & Annie Theme

Youth: 13 The Musical & Newsies Theme

Teens: Wicked & Mamma Mia! Theme

DISCOUNTS: 10% Family Discount for each additional member of the immediate family from the same household. 5% Frequency Discount on weekly tuition when you register for all 3 weeks.

Register now for Summer Camp

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Meet The Speakers

Students enrolled in any of the summer camp weeks are eligible to participate in the Virtual Mentor and Speaker Series. The series includes:

 • Jason Robert Brown on Friday, July 8 at 2:00 p.m.

 • Karen Burthwright on Tuesday, July 12 at 11:00 a.m.

 • Benjamin Pajak on Friday, July 15 at 2:00 p.m.

 • Hailey Lewis on Tuesday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m.

 • Claybourne Elder on Friday, July 22 at 2:00 p.m.

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Q&A event with Jason Robert Brown

Friday, July 8 at 2:00 p.m.

Jason Robert Brown is widely regarded as one of the greatest modern Broadway composers of all time. His esteemed work includes the popular musicals The Last Five Years, Songs for a New World, Parade, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas, and the wildly popular youth show 13: The Musical, which will debut this summer as a feature film on Netflix. His newest musical, Mr. Saturday Night is currently playing on Broadway at the Nederlander Theater, starring Billy Crystal.

Click here to learn more about Jason Robert Brown.

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“We are thrilled to be able to connect students with a world-class artist like Jason Robert Brown. This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring young artists to ask questions and learn from a Broadway icon who is currently creating the next generation of musicals. In addition to Jason, all our professional speaker guests have unique experience and theatre knowledge to share. This takes our summer camp experience to the next level – kids are going to have a blast and learn so much.”
David Connolly
Director of Education
Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy 

Photo; Jason Robert Brown. © Matthew Murphy.