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Extra-curricular activities

National Youth Theatre

8 replies

bruffin · 10/12/2014 08:57

Are they only interested in children who have lots of experience and gone to stage school?
DD 17 and interested in going for one of their auditions/work shops. She has only ever done drama at school, took Drama at gcse and now A level. She has had smallish parts in school plays but recently school took part in the Shakespeare in Schools festival where she played Caliban and shone. Her teacher said she bought the stage to life. Does she stand a chance of getting in?

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callamia · 10/12/2014 09:03

Of my friends who were in NYT, none went to drama school at any point - one is now a successful stage actor. Good luck to her!

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LIZS · 10/12/2014 09:09

It is competitive but know several successful kids who attend normal schools and have taken GCSE/Btec drama.

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bruffin · 10/12/2014 10:09

Thanks

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cathyandclaire · 10/12/2014 10:15

DDs both in NYT, neither at stage school. They both love it, go for it but bear in mind that it can sometimes take a few goes to get in and not to feel useless if you don't get in first time, we know some really talented people who took more than try. They seem to reward persistence and dedication.

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bruffin · 10/12/2014 10:36

What sort of audition piece seems to work best?

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cathyandclaire · 10/12/2014 11:39

Not an expert...but DD1 had a couple of tries and DD2 was in first time. So IMO, I think it's better to choose a piece that's appropriate for her age, in her own natural accent. A character that she could realistically be cast as. Probably avoid throwing yourself around, shouting and sobbing. I've heard they get weary of being screamed at!
Having said that one of the girls on DD's course last year got in doing a LAMDA piece in a French accent, with lots of shouty bits. So always an exception!

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cathyandclaire · 10/12/2014 11:40

Oh and make sure she knows the play, so she really understands the character, maybe one she's seen or done with school? Worth avoiding monologue books too. Or if she finds one, look for other stuff with the same character/ same playwright.

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bruffin · 31/12/2014 20:05

Thanks everyone
Shes applied and the workshop/audition is end of feb, so fingers crossed. She will just love the experience of the workshop anyway.