Rideau Islands & Lakes Theatre School

the RILTS logo is blue and yellow. A white mask lies on its side and is emerging out of the water towards the sun

Rideau Islands & Lakes Theatre School

was established in 2009 in Delta, Ontario. What started out as a local summer camp and theatre class for kids and teens with heavy emphasis on community volunteerism, has now grown into a network of courses taught across the province for children, youth and young adults with disabilities and/or who are neurodivergent. 

Originally RILTS was set up to serve the children and youth of Rideau Lakes. After a several successful years of running summer camp, dance classes, theatre workshops with professional theatre artists and weekly classes, Rachel took a step back and began to look for ways to create classes that could accommodate those who are usually excluded from theatre practice.

Since then, Rachel has developed courses for the Military Family Resource Centres of Ontario, Integrated Autism Consulting (Barrie), Roseneath Theatre (Toronto - virtual), Autism Ontario Peterborough Chapter (virtual) and TIPES (Ottawa). These courses are now used as tools for social skills development and fun! Often, alumni from RILTS’ teen/young adult classes in Delta sit-in and help with the virtual classes by adding their impressive improv acumen to all the games.

“In 2019, TIPES staff were fortunate to work in partnership with Rachel on the creation of specialized drama-based games that she created to teach children and teens with Autism the skills they needed to develop friendships.

While working with Rachel, we found her to be professional, extremely competent and skilled. We really enjoyed her energy and commitment to working in the autism community and would highly recommend her services. She is super fun to work with!”

— Marnie Potter, Family Support Coordinator, Thinking In Pictures Educational Services

“Rachel's ability to engage, entertain, and teach students and colleagues alike is fantastic. She always makes sure her programs are inclusive of all diversities. She creates a fun, relaxed yet challenging and safe environment for all participants. She is not only an excellent facilitator and program developer but also an engaging teacher. Rachel always strives to provide the most enriching, informative, and relevant focus into her programs.”

- Orlana Bourgoin, Provincial Lead - Special Needs Inclusion Program, Trenton Military Family Resource Centre