Playing Up

The course offers access to creative industry professionals, high levels of pastoral support and has a strong focus on progression routes for learners on completion.

We support with applications for universities and drama schools and many of our past students have gone on to great places, including Rose Bruford, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, RADA, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Roehampton University, Oxford School of Drama, Mountview, LAMDA, Arts Ed, East 15, UAL and Exeter University.

Following this unique 10-month programme Playing Up students become NYT members. Many graduates go on to pursue a career in theatre and continue their training either in drama school, university or with the NYT REP Company; as well as going on to gain employment. Our graduates have gone to gain employment at A New Direction, Lewisham Youth Theatre, The Old Vic Theatre, Icarus Theatre Collective, Roundhouse, Hammersmith Lyric, Netflix, Arsenal Football Club, Royal Court Theatre, BBC, Royal Shakespeare Company and many more.

For more information about Playing Up please get in touch with our Michaela Alagbala (Accredited Programmes Admin Assistant) at apsupport@nyt.org.uk

You are eligible for a FUNDED place if:

You are currently residing in the UK

AND

You are 19 – 25 years old (you must be 19 years old or over or under 26 years old on 31st August 2024).
Applicants who are learning disabled can be aged 30 and under.

AND

You do not hold a full level 3 qualification OR you are unemployed.

This means there will be no course fee for you to pay.

You are eligible for a STUDENT LOAN place if you are:

Currently residing in the UK

AND

You are 19 – 24 years old (you must be 19 years old or over or under 24 years old on 31st August 2024).
Applicants who are learning disabled can be aged 30 and under.

AND

You do not yet hold a full level 3 qualification.

This means you may be required to take out a student loan to cover the tuition fees of the course. Please see here for more information on Advance Learner Loans.

Please be aware that these courses are subject to funding and eligibility may change for the Academic Year 2024 – 2025.

The audition process takes place in three steps:

1. Initial application - this will be an online form gathering your details, along with a section to allow us to hear why you are applying for the course.
   If an online application is inaccessible to you, please contact Michaela Alagbala at apsupport@nyt.org.uk and arrangements can be made for you to receive support with this form.
2. First Round Auditions – There will be a group warm-up, followed by an informal chat about yourself, and your interest in Playing Up. You will have the opportunity to perform during this step. This can be a monologue, a song, spoken word, self-written work, or anything that allows us to see you perform.

Second Round Workshop Audition – If you are successful, you will be invited to a second round audition at NYT Holloway Road, where the course takes place. This will include ensemble skills, lots of drama games, and an opportunity for us to see how you work in the rehearsal room.

We will take time to review the applications after the second-round audition. You will receive an email on 12th August 2024 to let you know if you have been offered a place. We will also let you know if you have made the reserve list for the course.

For those that have not been offered a place, we will direct you to alternative programmes for you to participate in at NYT that we feel would benefit you.

We are aiming to bring together young people from a range of backgrounds and create a balanced cohort that will successfully learn and grow together during their time on the course.

• Audition Technique and Processes
• Voice Technique
• Improvisation
• Non-Text-Based Performance (Movement)
• Acting: Naturalism
• Screen Acting
• Acting: Scenes to Performance (Scene Study)
• Performing Classical Texts
• Final Production

This is a Level 3 Qualification, equivalent to 2 A Levels. Students will be required to learn independently and as part of a group. You will explore theatre practitioners, develop study skills and undertake an extended research project.

Study skills units include:

• History of Theatre
• Extended Research Project
• Reading and Comprehension of Texts
• Speaking and Listening
• Preparation for Higher Education
• Note-Taking and Note Making
• Learning in a Group

Throughout the course, participants can apply for financial support to cover course related cost e.g. travel bursary.

The course requires young people to work in groups, to lead and deliver their own learning and their own targets for assessments and complete all coursework requirements to deadlines which includes 2 to 6 written workbooks per term.

We will ask about your access and support needs as part of the enrolment process and will encourage you to be as open as possible so we can best support you. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and can provide support for a wide range of students' needs including, but not exclusive to those with:

• Dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia
• Attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADHD) (ADD)
• Sensory impairments
• Autism spectrum conditions
• Physical disabilities and medical conditions
• Mental health
• English as a second language

We have a wide range of support structures to help you complete your studies with us and learn in an inclusive environment. We will ask to discuss the detail of your additional needs as part of this and if you have any information regarding a diagnosis or a previous EHCP plan. We would welcome you sharing this with us. So we can plan together. If eligible, additional support can be arranged to guide you throughout the course. These include:

• One-to-one academic support: individual study support to meet your individual needs
• Small group study support sessions
• Assessment arrangements and adaptations: extensions, oral submissions for written work

Many of our recent Playing Up graduates have been neurodivergent, disabled, learning-disabled and/or have had a long-term mental health challenge.

This course runs from October 2024– July 2025 at NYT’s building on Holloway Road, London.

The course builds in intensity starting with 2 days a week from October – April and then moving to 3 days a week until June when the course runs full-time for 5 weeks. There are over 450 contact hours for 10 months.

The Playing Up Company is made up of 24-26 participants.