Stepping Up

Auditions will be held at the National Youth Theatre building on Holloway Road. The auditions are on three days which are:

Wednesday 15th July 2025

Thursday 16th July 2026

Saturday 25th July 2026

The audition will consist of a two hour workshop in the morning and then a one on one interview with a member of the Stepping Up staff. This will be an informal interview where we will ask you what interests you about Stepping Up and why you would like to do the course. We will also ask some questions around eligibility for the course.

Places are available to both NYT members and non-members between the ages of 19 - 25 years old (or up to 30 if learning disabled).

Priority for places is given to those who are not in education, secure employment or training.

If you already hold a degree (not in a performing arts subject) you will be considered for the leadership strand only.

We welcome applications from care leavers and those whose challenging circumstances may have prevented them from completing Secondary School or FE education. We welcome applications from those with access and support needs, those who are refugees or asylum seekers with the right to study in the UK and those who are underrepresented in our industry including those who identify as neurodivergent, disabled or from the Global Majority.

Places are available to NYT members and non-members.

You are eligible for a place if you meet the following criteria:

• 19* – 25 years old or up to 30 if learning disabled

• Live in London

• You are unemployed and in receipt of benefits or earning under the London living wage.

• You are not in education or training

• You do not have, or are studying for, a foundation/degree, A Level, or GCSE/Level 2 in drama or performing arts

• You have the right to study in the UK

*you must have turned 19 before the 31st of August 2026

Auditions for SU Autumn 2026 are now open

The audition process takes place in three steps:

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 Hamish Macdougall at Hamish.macdougall@nyt.org.uk and arrangements can be made for you to receive support with this form. Please note, the deadline for initial application is 3rd July 2026.

AUDITION PROCESS

There will be a low stakes, informal workshop. This will comprise of simple exercises that involve group work and introductory performance games.

Then you will have a one on one chat with one of the course leaders. This will involve talking about why you are interested in the course and to find out a bit about you. This is also a good opportunity for you to ask any questions that you have about Stepping Up.

Please note-

Auditions will be on either:

Wednesday 15th July 2026

Thursday 16th July 2026

Saturday 25th July 2026

We will take time to review the applications after your audition. You will receive an email by the 3rd August 2026 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.

• 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

• 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

The Stepping Up company is usually made up of around 28-30 participants.

The course runs every Monday and Tuesday across 3 months. Course dates include:

21 September - 21 December 2026

Acting Pathway

(2 days/evenings a week on a Monday, & Tuesday or Tuesday and Wednesday if Bank Holiday week).

For young people who are new to performing and/or want to increase their confidence and performing skills. You will participate in units that include acting skills, improvisation, and physical theatre and you will perform in a final show at the end of the course.

Leadership Pathway

(2 days/evenings a week on a Monday, & Tuesday or Tuesday and Wednesday if Bank Holiday week.)

For young people who have an interest in performing and becoming facilitators in the future. The Leadership strand combines practical acting training alongside learning directing and facilitation skills, including increasing your knowledge of planning and delivering drama workshop and rehearsals. Units include Improvisation, Physical Theatre, Devising and Rehearsal Planning.