Q.) How do I apply?
A.) You can apply online by visiting www.ideastap.com/nytapply.
Q.) I have applied in previous years but was unsuccessful, should I apply again?
A.) A very large percentage of National Youth Theatre members have auditioned more than once. Reapplying demonstrates a determination and passion for drama the National Youth Theatre commends.
Q.) Who can apply?
A.) Acting applicants must be between 14-21 years old to be eligible to apply for NYT. Once you have completed your course and you are a member of NYT, you will be a member until you are 21 or finish full time education in your first degree at University or Drama School. Please note, if you are over 21 and about to have a gap year before going back into full time education, you are not eligible to be a member of NYT. Anyone who falls into these age categories can apply, regardless of gender, race, religion, sexuality or disability is eligible to apply. People from all over the country apply to join .
Q.) What technical departments can I apply for?
A.) We run courses in: Costume, Stage Management, Lighting and Sound, and Prop Making and Scenery.
Q.) Do you need to have any previous experience/qualifications?
A.) No, we do not require people to have any previous experience. We look for people with an enthusiasm for theatre and an ability to work as part of an ensemble. Academic qualifications and previous experience are not a pre requisite.
Q.) What do the auditions/interview involve?
A.) For acting applicants the audition day will last from 10am-6pm (although you may not be required for some of this time, you must ensure you have the entire day free). You will spend the morning in a group workshop led by two professional drama facilitators. This will allow you to see how we work and will give us an indication of your group-work abilities. In the afternoon you will then be required to present your individual audition; a two-minute speech from a play of your choice (and should be learnt off my heart). The morning and afternoon session is of equal importance and from these two sessions your auditioners will make their assessment by giving you a score for the qualities you demonstrate.
Technical interviews involve a 15-20 minute informal chat with one of our professional theatre technicians. You may bring a portfolio of work with you, however this is not essential. The purpose of the interview is to gauge how you may fit into a team of young people in your chosen department.
Q.) How do I prepare for an audition/interview?
A.) For acting applicants the audition day is very informal and it is important that you do not come in a high state of tension. For the morning workshop there is no preparation required - just approach it with an open mind and a willingness to throw yourself into the work and have fun. For the individual audition in the afternoon, make sure you have learnt your 2 minute speech by heart. When choosing a speech it is always best to do a speech that you enjoy performing, and preferably from a published play. It is important that you know and understand the play from which it is taken and that you know something of the character you are performing. If you are studying a play at school or have performed in a play recently perhaps there is a speech from that you could choose. We recommend that you do not perform a speech from a film/TV script as we want you demonstrate how you bring to life a character for the stage and see how you approach a live performance. A screenplay might not be designed for this. Rehearse the speech a couple of times in front of a friend, parent or maybe even teacher so that you are used to performing it out loud to others. Take advice from others but also remember to enjoy putting your own ideas into the performance.
Technical interviews involve a 15-20 minute informal chat with one of our professional theatre technicians. You may bring a portfolio of work with you, however this is not essential. The purpose of the interview is to gauge how you may fit into a team of young people in your chosen department.
Q.) What should I bring with me to an audition?
A.) Clothes in which you are comfortable to move in and some water to drink.
Q.) If successful when will my course take place?
A.) All successful acting applicants will be invited onto a two week course in Salford in summer 2012. All successful technical applicants will take part in a two week course during the Summer 2012 (venue still to be determined.)