Drayton Entertainment - Our Story - The Drayton Entertainment Story

An award-winning not-for-profit charitable organization, Drayton Entertainment produces the finest in live theatre at six historic venues in unique Ontario communities. Each theatre maintains its own distinct identity, but at the same time successfully combines the energies and strengths of all six, in order to provide an experience that is unparalleled.

The stage for success was first set in 1991, with the launch of the Drayton Festival Theatre. Under the tutelage of founding and current Artistic Director Alex Mustakas, the theatre was an immediate triumph.

As popularity continued to grow, in 1997 a second stage was added in St. Jacobs - the Schoolhouse Theatre.

The King's Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene followed suit in 1999. Nestled within Discovery Harbour on picturesque Georgian Bay, the rustic theatre was a perfect complement with the venues in Drayton and St. Jacobs.

With 30 seasons under its belt, Huron Country Playhouse and its intimate second stage, Playhouse II , joined the Drayton Entertainment family of theatres in 2001. In 2011 this historic venue celebrated its 40th Anniversary Season.

Located in the heart of Waterloo Region's Market District, the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse opened to instant acclaim in 2005.

With an anticipated 2013 opening, a new venue in Cambridge is on the horizon, which promises to expand the signature Drayton Experience^TM to new audiences.

Drayton Entertainment's ever-evolving business model provides protection from the inherent fragility of the theatre industry, while still providing an outlet for growth and prosperity. This has positive implications for artists, designers, sponsors, advertisers, and most importantly, theatre patrons - all of whom enjoy enhanced opportunities both on and off the stage.

By successfully balancing the competing demands of quality productions, fiscal responsibility, and community integrity, Drayton Entertainment has emerged as a true innovator and leader for arts and culture in Canada.

"The enduring success of Drayton Entertainment’s productions is a tribute to this company’s hard work and dedication to artistic excellence."
Premier Dalton McGuinty

A Few Facts About Drayton Entertainment

What started off as a fledgling theatre in the village of Drayton, Ontario has grown into a national phenomenon in Canadian Theatre. Over the years the organization has grown to include 6 theatres (Drayton Festival Theatre, Drayton; Huron Country Playhouse and Playhouse II , Grand Bend; King's Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene; Schoolhouse Theatre, St. Jacobs; and the new St. Jacobs Country Playhouse).

The 1991 inaugural season at the Drayton Festival Theatre entertained 14,592 patrons.

Projected attendance for the 2012 season is 200,000 (representing 80% capacity), making Drayton Entertainment the third-largest professional summer theatre company in Canada, just after Stratford and Shaw.

Drayton Entertainment is recognized by the Canadian Actors' Equity Association as the 7th largest employer of its members in Canada.

Drayton Entertainment is the proud recipient of an unprecedented 6 Lieutenant Governor's Awards for the Arts - a prestigious honour bestowed on arts organizations that exemplify outstanding private sector and community support.

Drayton Entertainment is supported by its extensive network of 3,000 Members, which enables the organization to close the gap between ticket revenue and production and administration expenses. This enables the organization to produce the finest in professional lighthearted entertainment at a reasonable price for all to enjoy.

Drayton Entertainment boasts over 4,200 Subscribers who each purchase between 4 and 10 show subscriptions for various productions at Drayton Entertainment venues.

Drayton Entertainment was founded on volunteerism, and that strong sense of community involvement is still apparent today, with volunteer activity exceeding 30,000 hours each year.

Drayton Entertainment believes in giving back to the communities in which it operates, and each year donates over 2,000 tickets to over 750 charities for their own fundraising efforts. This includes the United Way, community sports teams and high schools, rotary clubs and legion branches.

2012 Season statistics for each Drayton Entertainment venue:

St. Jacobs Country Playhouse - 21-week season featuring 6 productions and 168 performances
Schoolhouse Theatre - 14-week season featuring 1 production and 112 performances
Drayton Festival Theatre - 16-week season featuring 5 productions and 128 performances
Huron Country Playhouse - 13-week season featuring 5 productions and 104 performances
Playhouse II - 7-week season featuring 5 productions and 54 performances
King's Wharf Theatre - 12-week season featuring 4 productions and 96 performances.
Grand Total: 26 productions and 662 performances spanning a full calendar year.