Drama School

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At Carousel Theatre for Young People, our drama school is a core part of our mission as we seek to provide experiences that inspire, educate and empower young people.

Participating in drama helps children in both life and learning. It increases their understanding of the world they live in, while it works to develop personal skills that will help them achieve success throughout their lives.
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Our drama school began in 1981; we are proud to have played a role in providing young people with a place to play, create and learn for so many years and look forward to many, many more!

Drama Summer Camps

Ages
7-13
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Drama Mini Summer Camps

Ages
4-6
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Policies & Cancellations

Information about our registration, cancellation and other policies can be found here.

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Bursaries

Our bursary program is back! Click to learn more and support our CTYP students.

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Teaching Faculty

Camryn Chew

Lead Instructor for Spring Saturday Drama Minis 3/4 & 5/6, Associate Instructor for Winter/Spring PreTeen & Teen Drama

Camryn (she/they) is an actor and educator living and working on the unceded lands of the Sc̓əwaθən Məsteyəxw (Tsawwassen), xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She is a 2020 graduate of Capilano University's Acting for Stage and Screen program, where she played Lady Macbeth in Macbeth. She most recently appeared as an actor/collaborator in Delta Stageworks’ newly devised show Heirlooms & Baggage (My Mother’s Story). Camryn’s original play Sometimes I Feel Like I’m Not Even Me has been performed in Vancouver, San Diego, and Jersey City. Her new original one-act play Can’t Cope recently debuted as a reading at the Arts Club’s LEAP Festival. Camryn also works as a teaching artist at Bard on the Beach, as well as at various schools across the Lower Mainland.

Angeles Paz Latapi

Associate Instructor for Spring Saturday Drama Minis 3/4 & 5/6 and Drama Juniors 7/8 & 9/10

Angeles Paz Latapi is an emerging artist currently residing in Vancouver, originally from Mexico City. She has been involved with all aspects of theatre throughout her time at Langley Fine Arts School and beyond, recently graduating from Capilano University’s Acting For Stage & Screen program. Angeles continues to happily pursue performances of all shapes and sizes. Recent acting credits include The Penelopiad (CapU Theatre) and Opening Night (Western Gold Theatre), as well as acting as a tour guide at the Vancouver Orpheum theatre. She can often be found taking long walks downtown or at home making yummy Mexican food.

Ashley Chodat

Lead Instructor for Spring Drama Juniors 7/8 & 9/10

Ashley (she/her) is a playwright, dramaturg, deviser and teaching artist. In these roles, she has been fortunate to work for companies like Bard on the Beach, Arts Club, The Cultch, Green Thumb, Arts Umbrella, Little Mountain Lion, Carousel Theatre for Young People (Vancouver) Theatre SKAM, Kaleidoscope (Victoria) She is passionate about stories that explore girlhood, science fiction and intergenerational relationships. Recent playwright credits include: June Bug (Vancouver Fringe winner of TYP Family Forward Award, UpintheAir’s rEvolver Festival, Victoria Fringe) FRANK (Impulse Theatre Peek Show 14/Intrepid Incoming Fest). Ashley holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Theatre from Uvic and a diploma in Theatre Performance from Douglas College.

Laura Jaye

Lead Instructor for Spring Sunday Drama Minis 3/4

Laura Jaye(she/her) is a Vancouver-based actress and instructor with 25 years of experience in arts education. This time last year, she was working with Theatre Northwest in Always, Patsy Cline. Her theatre credits include, Flare Path and A Doll's House with Slamming Door Collective. For CTYP,  their productions of Munscha Mia, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood and Munsch Alley. Also in BC, Gateway Theatre (Brigadoon), Chemainus Theatre Festival (The Wizard of Oz and James and the Giant Peach), and Mad Duck (The Tempest and Titus Andronicus). In film and television, she has worked on Snowpiercer,  Calvin and Jerzy, Hey Sister, The Story of Us,  The Flash, That Bind, Flowers in the Attic, Witches of East End, The Haunting Hour, Alcatraz, Supernatural, Reaper, Secrets of Comfort House, the Chris Isaak Show, and various commercials. She plays the ukulele in her spare time and is often in the company of Max the Sheltie, her best puppy friend.

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Maggie Pearce

Associate Instructor for Spring Sunday Drama Minis 3/4

Maggie is a passionate and dedicated drama educator with a wealth of experience in nurturing creative expression and theatrical talent. With a background in theatre, film, singing and dancing, Maggie brings a dynamic approach to the classroom, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where students feel empowered to explore their artistic potential. Having 10+ years of experience in both educational and theatrical settings, Maggie has honed the ability to tailor lesson plans to suit diverse learning styles and abilities, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention and encouragement. Beyond the classroom, Maggie loves painting, hiking, and gardening! With a collaborative spirit and a passion for fostering creativity, Maggie strives to instill in students a lifelong love of theater and the arts.

Marcie Nestman

Lead Instructor for Winter/Spring PreTeen Drama & Teen Drama

Marcie Nestman is an actor, playwright, and theatre instructor. After graduating with a Theatre Arts Diploma at MRU in Calgary, Marcie continued her studies at The Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC. Marcie has appeared in numerous TV commercials, Film, TV, and theatre productions. Marcie was the assistant director in the production of Dot & Ziggy, and co-wrote and starred in the play On My Walk for CTYP. Theatre credits include Ann in Ruby Slippers Theatre's production of Communion, Patsy in Carousel Theatre's The Secret World of Og, and Bobby for 168 performances in the BC children’s tour of The Big League. In addition to teaching at CTYP, Marcie has taught at numerous theatre and writing camps, including the Mount Royal University Summer Camp, CWC Wizards Camp in Korea, the Write It, Read It camp for the Whistler Public Library, and as artist-in-residence in Thailand.

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