Arts Smarts Drama is the perfect place for those who would love to be engaged with creativity and the arts. Our programs are rooted in a blend of silly, creative and imaginative fun with learning embedded using concepts and expectations from the Ontario Arts curriculum.
Our programs allow students to work collaboratively to create in the realms of drama, creative movement, music and rhythm, puppetry and more. In each class, students will also have wellness embedded into the schedule to allow for mindful breaks and quiet time. On the final day of each program, students will present their original creations to their families to witness the vast imaginations and creative thinking that young people possess. No experience with drama? Perfect. Lots of experience? Wonderful. Arts Smarts Drama is ready and eager to welcome you.
During the warmer months when the weather permits, we will explore the outdoors and use nature as a stimulus for activities…whether that be good old Capture the Flag or creating art from found natural objects in the park…
2024 Drama Camps and Classes
We are excited to announce our 2024 Programming
Drama Camps
For 2024, our spring and summer camps for students in SK to grade 5 will be held at Saint Anne’s Church, located at 270 Gladstone Ave. We are excited to be back in the Dufferin Grove neighbourhood!
Our all-day camps run during the spring and summer breaks. Each 5-day session runs from 9am to 4pm.
After care is available until 5pm – please contact us for details.
Spring Session
March 11 – 15, 2024
CLOSED
Summer Session 1
July 15 – 19, 2024
Summer Session 2
July 22 – 26, 2024
Registration Fees (HST included):
Early Bird Price **
$400
Regular Price
$425
**Early Bird Price expires after June 15, 2024 for Summer Sessions.
10% discount for families with 2 or more attendees
Arts Smarts Drama offers experiences in:
MOVEMENT
- Creative expression
- Dance
- Collaborative creation
- Physical fitness
DRAMA
- Character creation
- Improvisation
- Mime
- Puppetry
- Scene creation
MUSIC
- Singing songs
- Body percussion
- Found object orchestra
- Original rhythm and song composition
ART
- Visual art creation
- Prop creation for scenes
- Puppet creation
WELLNESS
- Breath work
- Yoga
- Positive mantras
Expressing our creativity one Silly Walk at a time…
From our Founder and Teacher
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”- Maya Angelou”
I have been involved in the arts in some capacity for as long as I can remember. As a very shy primary school student, I was convinced to be the emcee for the holiday concert and from that moment on…the arts have been my home.
In Norfolk County Ontario, my parents enrolled me in a community youth theatre group and I found my home and my second family. From there I continued to train and grow in the arts. After graduating from Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, I found myself longing to create the safe and creative environment of my youth. I began an academic journey from York University to the National University of Singapore and finally to OISE at U of T and now work full time with the TDSB teaching the arts to grades K – 6 in the junction area. Seeing kids thrive in expressive and imaginative ways while collaborating and creating is always an honor.
I am now seeking to create an extension of the creative environment beyond the classroom. For many, artistic outlets and creation are the purest sense of joy and release we can ask for. I hope the youngsters in your life will find their joy and sense of self and expression with us at Arts Smarts Drama. We are beyond thrilled to be welcoming you.
Michael Hodgson, OCT B.Ed
mail@artssmartsdrama.ca
Testimonials
What other families are saying about Arts Smarts Drama…
We’d been searching for a quality arts program for our girls and we found it in Arts Smarts Drama. Michael and Johnny provided an encouraging and enthusiastic environment for our daughters to explore their creativity and every afternoon they came home buzzing – eager to head back the next day.
Watching them showcase everything they learned in their end of week presentation was a joy. Confidently speaking their lines, performing their own choreographed dance, showcasing their visual arts props, encouraging fellow performers, all while smiling and engaging with the audience… it was more than we could’ve ever asked for.
Huge thanks to Arts Smarts Drama! We’ll be back!
– from Megan McCoy, parent
I really cannot say enough good things about Arts Smarts Drama. Such heart and soul have gone into creating this experience for the kids. The programming offers a really valuable opportunity for your child to develop and explore important concepts such as mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence through movement, music, visual art and drama. It celebrates each child’s imagination and creativity, giving them a chance to practice “putting themselves out there” in a safe, loving, encouraging (and most importantly, fun!) environment.
Michael and Johnny really honour and respect each child as an individual who is so capable and so interesting, and they are so good at bringing the most amazing things out of your child! Seeing my often very reserved daughter come out of her shell and express herself with joy in this environment just made my heart so full.
– from Jill Ambachtsheer, parent
At Arts Smarts, our son was welcomed into a inclusive and playful space where kids can express their creativity and flourish. Michael and Johnny created a magical atmosphere of excitement and discovery. The final performance blended movement, music, story, and puppets into a presentation that was both fun and meaningful. Bravo!
– from Gabriel and Bee, parents
Refund and Cancellation Policy
For spring camp registrations: there will be no refunds for cancellations after February 15, 2024. Cancellations prior to February 15, 2024 are subject to a $50 administration fee per camper.
For summer camp registrations, there will be no refunds for cancellations after June 15, 2024. Cancellations prior to June 15, 2024 are subject to a $50 administration fee per camper.
No refunds will be given for days the camper is absent, and missed days cannot be made up.