- LEADING YOUTH ARTS ORGANISATION THE NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE TO HOLD AUDITIONS ACROSS THE UK FOR AGES 14-25
- FIRST TIME NYT HAS OFFERED EXTENDED 3 WEEK TECHNICAL COURSES
- BAD EDUCATION STAR SARAH SOLEMANI DESCRIBES HOW NYT ‘CHANGED MY LIFE’
The National Youth Theatre, the UK’s leading youth arts organisation, is holding auditions and interviews across the country for its 2016 intake acting and technical courses. Successful applicants will follow in the footsteps of alumni such as Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig,Chiwetel Ejiofor CBE and Sir Daniel Day Lewis, getting the chance to train with the NYT on acting and technical courses over the summer of 2016.
This will be the first time ever that the NYT has offered extended three week long technical courses alongside their renowned intake acting courses. Acting auditions take place between January and March 2016 and Technical Course interviews take place in February, both can be applied for here.
Playwright and star of Him & Her and Bad Education Sarah Solemani, who started her career in the NYT, commented: “Auditioning for the National Youth Theatre undoubtedly changed my life. It gave me world class training, introduced me into the industry and gave me friends for life. I wouldn’t have the career I have now without it.”
The NYT’s application process allows applicants from all backgrounds across the UK the chance to join the National Youth Theatre to build careers in the industry whilst working with other young people; the courses themselves provide extensive training on theatre and theatre practice. Out of the 4000+ people who auditioned in 2015, 500 were offered places, with 75% of successful applicants from outside London, 21% from BAME backgrounds and 55% female.
Artistic Director Paul Roseby said: “Whether you’ve never done drama before in your life or it’s the only thing you’re passionate about, if you’re interested in exploring your creative talent we want to meet you in 2016. As our former members in the entertainment industry and beyond prove, anything’s possible but it starts with an audition or interview.”
Former NYT Member and Doctor Who star Matt Smith said: “The National Youth Theatre is the reason I’m an actor. It’s given me great confidence, opportunity and life-long friends. I got an agent through performing with NYT and now I’m a professional actor who’s working. It completely transformed my life. No understatement.”
For the first time ever in 2016 NYT are offering extended industry standard, three week Technical Courses taught by top industry professionals in Costume, Lighting and Sound, Scenic Construction and Stage Management. After completing the course applicants will become members of the NYT and will be offered opportunities to build their CVs working on shows including the REP Seasons in the West End and other projects both nationally and internationally. Technical alumni include fashion designer Gareth Pugh, technical director of the London 2012 Ceremonies Piers Shepperd and theatre technicians at leading venues around the world.
After a successful audition for NYT’s Intake Acting Courses, applicants aged 14-17 will gain a space on NYT’s Junior Acting Course; successful applicants aged 18-25 will join NYT’s three week Senior Acting Course or a four week Epic Stages Course. Bursary places are available for auditions, interviews and courses for those facing financial hardship. Intake courses take place in August. Acting Auditions consist of three hour group workshops and an individual performance of a prepared speech. Speeches should be from a published play and learned by heart. The NYT membership that participants receive on completion affords them the opportunity to showcase their acting abilities through the NYT’s productions, locally, nationally and internationally. As part of membership participants can also be considered to be part of the NYT REP Company, a group of members who train with the NYT full time for a year, fully funded, as a free performance training initiative.
Applicants need to apply by 31 January 2016.
More information at www.nyt.org.uk / Twitter @NYTofGB