The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT), the UK’s leading youth arts organisation, is holding auditions and interviews across the country for its 2017 acting and backstage summer courses. Successful applicants will follow in the footsteps of alumni such as Helen Mirren, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daniel Craig and Matt Smith, getting the chance to develop their talent with the NYT. In 2016 the company auditioned a record 4830 young people and received their best ever West End audience figures for their Gala and REP shows which were also visited by schools from every borough across Greater London.
Daisy Lewis, star of ITV’s Downton Abbey, paid tribute to NYT for supporting her in her early career development: “We create Olympic storytellers in this country and the National Youth Theatre is Team GB. It was where I grew up, where I learned how to be an actor, but more importantly how to be a member of a diverse society where I was judged solely on merit. I would not be who I am or have had the career I love without the NYT. Even if you don’t think you’re going to be an actor you should audition because it’s an amazing experience.”
The NYT’s application process gives applicants from all backgrounds across the UK the chance to join the prestigious company and build careers in the industry whilst learning to work with other young people. The courses provide skills development in theatre and theatre practice, voice and movement.
Applicants need to apply by 6 February. Auditions cost £46 and the NYT operate a bursary fund for those suffering from financial hardship. This year they have given away a record £140,000 worth of bursaries.
More information and how to join can be found on the National Youth Theatre’s website.
