This August, the National Youth Theatre (NYT) will transform its RIBA award-winning headquarters in North London into a vibrant hub of creativity with the launch of StoryFest, a month-long festival celebrating new writing and emerging talent. This exciting festival will feature work from renowned artists such as Debris Stevenson and International Emmy Award-winner Omar Khan, alongside staged readings from Dzifa Benson, Tabby Lamb, Temi Majekodunmi, and Siofra Dromgoole.
StoryFest aims to nurture 100 young creatives, offering them the platform to present their work through workshops, staged-readings, and discussions. Highlights of the festival include panel discussions like StoryFuture, exploring the intersection of storytelling and AI, and Are We Losing the Plot, which addresses the challenges faced by new writers in the industry.
NYT’s commitment to fostering new talent extends beyond StoryFest. This autumn, the NYT REP Company will return for its 11th year with an expanded lineup. The company will stage The War of the Worlds by Isley Lynn at Wilton’s Music Hall, and a fresh adaptation of Twelfth Night by Ellen McDougall at the NYT Workshop Theatre. Additionally, they will present Scene Through A Lens in partnership with Digital Theatre Plus, showcasing the intersection of theatre and digital media.
The 2024 NYT REP Company are: Selorm Adonu, Stella Blakeley, Emily Casey, Talitha Christina, Luc de Freitas, Megan Keaveny, Tyler Kinghorn, Holly Masters, Laura Masters, David Olaniregun, Edward Oulton, Freya Catherine Purdie, Daniel Regan, Dominic Semwanga, Cathy Sole, Ruari Spooner, Ruby Ward and Alfie Wickham.
They will be mentored by the following industry professionals: Isabel Adomakoh Young, Michelle Austin, Johnny Capps, Raymond Fearon, Alice Feetham, Henry Gilbert, Rosa Hesmondhalgh, John Hollingworth, Kane Husbands, Daniel Ings, Kate Kennedy, Darcia Martin, Fabian McCallum, Hannah Morrish Amanda Wilkin, Michael Wynne, Ashley Zhangazha and Ria Zmitrowicz. Graduates from the NYT REP company include Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who is currently appearing as Juliet in the West End, double Scottish BAFTA winner Lauren Lyle (Karen Pirie) and BAFTA nominated Slow Horses star Sope Dirisu.
They will be mentored by industry professionals such as Isabel Adomakoh Young, Michelle Austin, and Raymond Fearon, providing invaluable guidance and support. Assistant direction will be led by Hetty Hodgson, recipient of the 2024 Bryan Forbes Young Director’s Bursary Fund, mentored by Vicky Featherstone.
NYT’s Playing Up Company will also perform What Lies Above, a new work by NYT Associate Company Itch and Scratch. This initiative provides young people not in education, employment, or training with the chance to gain a Level 3 qualification in drama. Public performances will coincide with NYT’s summer courses across multiple UK cities, including Bristol, Birmingham, and Manchester.
NYT alumni and supporters will come together on June 3rd for Big Night Out, a fundraising event featuring exclusive experiences like meeting Brian Cox and Ian McKellen. Bidding is open now at NYT Big Night Out.
Tickets for all performances are available at NYT What’s On.
