Our Story

A quarter century of theatre by and for children of the Waterloo Region

ActOUT! was founded in 1995 as the KW Children's Drama Workshop in the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada by Leslie Gail Hill. Ms. Hill retired as Artistic Director in 2009. From 2009-2016 the organization was managed under the direction of Ms. Deanne Bingleman, winner of the 2013 Waterloo Region Arts Award - Mentor Award. In 2017, Todd Vercoe took over the reigns as Artistic Director.

Formed as a creative home and theatre training centre for young bodies, minds and spirits, actOUT! has grown from serving handfuls of students to hundreds a year.

ActOUT! offers classes in:

  • Drama

    Improv

  • Script writing

  • Singing

Plus  workshops in:

  • Movement

  • Stage Combat

  • Audition Preparation

  • Drama Basics

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Our ever popular Summer Day Drama Camps are sure hits! Bringing excitement and enjoyment to children taking their first steps in drama, including actOUT! being the 2018 official children's drama camp of the Elora Festival where we staged Willy Wonka KIDS and we returned in 2019 to the Elora Festival to produce Seussical KIDS.

ActOUT! productions was formed for aspiring and skilled actors 5-17 years of age. The company evolved to allow skilled, talented and developing young actors opportunities to perform in professional quality productions.  ActOUT! has now staged over 60 productions.


It’s funny how the experience of becoming someone else on stage has allowed my children to discover who they really are at the core.  They have each emerged from this experience with a renewed sense and greater courage to share their unique selves with the world!
— L. Cook
Believe... Belong...Become

Believe... Belong...Become


ActOUT! offers a great opportunity for children to:

  • explore their curiosity of the theatrical arts

  • build a healthy self esteem

  • develop many life long skills

All provided in a safe, supportive, nurturing and positive environment.

From weekly workshops through to full scale productions actOUT! is the place to go in the Waterloo Region for professional coaching, mentorship and team building in the world of theatre arts.  

Programs are available in various commitment levels to suit your child's needs, experience, interests, families available time and financial ability.  


ActOUT! is a board driven registered non-profit charitable organization.

We're grateful for our connections with:

Community and families can join the journey too through volunteering time and talents in many facets of this fantastic organization.

We are honoured that actOUT! won the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 Waterloo Chronicle's Reader's Choice Awards for Live Theatre and Local Entertainers.

We were honoured to be a Diamond winner for the Record Reader Award for 2022 in Best Family Activities (Diamond) Best Live Theatre (Gold) and Best Theatre Instructors.


ActOUT! graciously acknowledges the support and affiliation of the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo. 

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