National Youth Theatre auditions advice across UK for young people aged 13-25

The National Youth Theatre (NYT) has announced Audition Open Days around the UK - a free workshop giving young people audition advice and introducing them to the NYT ethos and the world of theatre making.

National Youth Theatre Audition Open Days will be available across the country including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Northampton and Southampton, as well as online and at NYT’s Creative Production House in London.

NYT patron and alumnus Matt Smith's advice on National Youth Theatre auditions is: “Pick a speech that you like, work as hard as you can and try your absolute best, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

"If you don’t get in this year there’s always next year. It’s a great company and if you work hard, apply yourself and bring the right spirit, it’s a place where you can really learn and develop and a company that will nurture you.”

The Open Day workshops explore self-taping for auditions - ideal for those who have not experienced self-taping before or who want to further explore their approach.

Following the workshop there will be a Q&A where participants can learn from National Youth Theatre Associate Artists and Ambassadors about upcoming opportunities and what to expect as a National Youth Theatre member.

National Youth Theatre Auditions Open Days are ideal for young people aged 13-25 who are interested in taking part in auditions to join the charity in 2022.

Successful auditionees can go on to appear in high-profile NYT productions, which in 2021 included shows at London Fashion Week, COP26 and leading theatres in London and around the UK.

This year’s auditions take place online via the National Youth Theatre Hub.

You can sign up for the Hub Subscription for just £2-a-month and free bursary places are available. Over 5,500 young people have subscribed to the NYT Hub since it was launched in November 2020 in response to the pandemic.

The Hub gives subscribers access to over 24 online interactive workshops and talks a year with industry leaders and NYT alumni. Recent guests have included NYT Patron Ian McKellen, Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People), Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù (Gangs of London) and Emma Rice (Wise Children).

Subscribers can also access online resources including a self-tape masterclass with alumnus and Patron Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Die Another Day), a writing workshop with playwright and screenwriter James Graham (Quiz, Labour of Love) and a directing workshop with Prasanna Puwanarajah (Ballywalter).

On top of this, the scheme includes the opportunity to audition to become an Acting member, to interview to become a Backstage Member and the chance to take part in Creative Leadership training with no extra cost. The Hub platform allows subscribers to connect with a nationwide network of young creatives, access community courses and events and unlock discounts for masterclasses and merchandise.

Hundreds of young people around the UK auditioning at their schools also gain access to NYT’s Hub. Young people aged 11-26 can subscribe to the NYT Hub, with 14-25-year-olds eligible to audition or interview for acting or backstage membership.

For more, see https://www.nyt.org.uk/