NYMT

aplo - OK thanks. He's in the midst of the whole audition thing at the moment - he's done Guildford, Central, London Drama Centre and RADA now, and has LIPA and Bristol Old Vic coming up. It's so difficult - especially for 17 year olds - the old chestnut about needing them to have "life experience" He got through to the second round for Musical Theatre at Central but wasn't successful at Guildford or Drama Centre. He's taking it all in his stride though. The NYMT recall potentially clashes with his NYT audition too... I did ask him earlier if he thinks maybe he's over-committed He said no

And I didn't mean to imply it was harder for first-time applicants, before anyone thinks I'm implying there's favouritism. I just wondered if they generally tried to recall previous participants even if for example they're full of cold and can't sing properly at their audition, or whether they recall strictly on the basis of what they see on that day.

I think DS will be more nervous this time. Last year it was just an adventure and he had no expectations, but this year he desperately wants to get in! Really hope your DD hears quickly now Aplo!

Not sure. My student got a recall last year having never auditioned before, then was cast in the gala, so they obviously do recall first timers. I wonder if applicants generally go in more confidently though second or third time round.

Well done to your student EvilTwins! Great news. Aplo, am keeping fingers firmly crossed for your DD.

Question: do you think young people who have had previous NYMT involvement generally get a recall? I know they don't always get cast, but I wonder whether they tend to get recalled for suitable productions on the strength of having proved themselves once? Just wondering what have been the experiences of young people you've known?

Oh that sounds great - I loved that book when I was little! Do you know who's adapting?

He's just emailed me - he's been recalled for three - Sunday, Imaginary & the workshop one.

I hear there is recall news already from the Bristol auditions that happened on Saturday...!

Glad he enjoyed it. I think they do try to make the auditions fun and worthwhile in their own right, so that if people aren't successful in getting a recall they've still had plenty of enjoyment and good value for their money from the day. That's what I keep telling DS in case it's not good news, anyway! DS would be delighted to get any of them (although suspect he's not old enough for Sunday). He was in Battle of Boat last year and absolutely loved it being a new musical, but being in any of them at all would be amazing. Keep us posted on any news!

Spoke to him today - he had a really positive experience. The MD for Sunday and the director for one of the others was there. There was talk of 5 shows - Sunday, Honk, Imaginary, Billy the Kid and one they referred to as "the workshop production" which sounds intriguing! As I pointed out to him, though, it's not unheard of in Musical Theatre - Oh What A Lovely War, Jerry Springer the Opera, Twang (Lionel Bart's unfortunate follow up to Oliver) and various other shows were famously developed like that... He started off desperate for a recall for Sunday, but given the publicity surrounding Battle of the Boat and Brass, he's now keen for a recall for one of the new commissions. I love that they make the auditions such a positive experience for them all.

I won't see my student today as he's at a RADA audition but I'll catch up with him tomorrow and report back.

Thank you for the update. That all sounds like fun, and I'm glad your DD felt it had gone well. Fingers crossed for positive recall news in a few days. DS has just finished in panto, so now he needs to choose a song for his NYMT audition and crack on!

I understood you Evergreen. It's a shame if your DD can't get there, especially after getting a recall last year. Could she negotiate to miss one of the rehearsals for the show that's just starting up? Or is she happy to wait?

Sorry - confused identity here - that comment was meant to be addressed to biscuits :)

My DD was the one who got a recall, but didn't do it as it was for the one show she couldn't do the dates of evergreen. There are other locations within an hour or two (though possibly today... ) but she's got rehearsals just about every Sunday and some Saturdays the next few weeks - one show is on in a couple of weeks and the other's just starting up so there's an overlap. So NYMT auditions couldn't have come at a worse time really. It may have to wait til next year I think, unless she thinks she can get out of the rehearsal..... Good luck to all of your DCs auditioning this year though.

Hope you've arrived safely. Are you going to a show tonight, or getting an early night?

Let us know how he gets on EvilTwins! From memory he should know by the end of next week...

Who were you before Evergreen, or would you rather not say? Are there any other auditions your DD could get to if not the local ones? I know it depend where you live; we are lucky and have an audition in our home city, but could get to 2 or 3 others in a couple of hours. I would highly, highly recommend NYMT.

I checke with my student. He's auditioning tomorrow. He's doing a much better song this year and we've worked on it a LOT so I'm hoping it gets him a recall.