National Youth Theatre

Guildhall do a summer course for acting for 16/17 year olds. DD did it last year, and absolutely loved it. She is still in touch with many other participants, and felt she learned such a lot (and had a ball!)

Sorry to hear your DD wasn't successful this year, Dancergirl, and I hope she has better luck next year.

Re summer holiday courses in London, Arts Ed in Chiswick do a couple of straight drama ones for 12-15 age group. DS (10) did an acting course with them in the Easter holidays and really enjoyed it. He has worked professionally and prefers courses that are a challenge/learning experience rather than those aimed at "just for fun"; he thought the staff were excellent and felt like he learned a lot. I found them very well-organised and easy to deal with.

The other place I hear good things about is the Young Actors Theatre Islington. They also run holiday acting courses for the 12-15 age group; DS hasn't tried them though so no personal experience.

Worth trying again next year. It took my daughter 2 years, and even then she was put on the reserve list. She got her offer the first week of August. Have faith, it will happen for him.

One got a recall! Not I've got a recall. That would be odd!

He loved it, though he didn't get in in the end. Two of them went and both liked it. I've got a recall, the other didn't. The one who didn't is an NYT member, the one who did is the one who didn't get into NYT again - showing there's no magic solution!

Hi EvilTwins,
How did your student find Central?

And it's a No for DD
Luckily she doesn't seem too concerned, now to see if any of her friends got through!

error thanks! The younger boy's mum emailed me last night and I was over the moon for him. The bizarre thing is he didn't even know about it until I mentioned it to his parents on parents evening. I jotted the details down for them assuming he'd maybe give it a go next year but they booked an audition the next day - it was literally the last audition day and he had about a week to prepare. I wonder if the fact that he went in fairly relaxed helped him, though he is a fabulous performer, also sweet and charming. My older student is fairly pragmatic about it. He's been auditioning for drama schools this year and has had recalls at Central, LIPA & Guildhall so he knows he doesn't lack talent. His best mate from school got into NYT two years ago so I think the pragmatism will be covering a lot of disappointment but he's a determined boy and will keep pushing.

Eviltwins - always interesting to hear your take on the NYT and its randomness! Congratulations to your successful student and commiserations to the other student, again, not great timing with Y13 exams looming!
Arabella but well done to your DD for her resilience. I dont think my DD would/will bounce back so quickly.

DD says she hasn't heard, though I'm not sure shes actually checked her emails. With GCSEs starting on Monday, its really bad timing to hear bad news!

My yr 13 student who has tried before got another no and is gutted. The yr 9 student, who I really didn't think would get in, not because he's not talented, but because he's only just turned 14, got a yes.Goes to show how unpredictable it is.

We got a 'no' too :(
She has already said she'll try again next year.

Hi BCBG, sorry to hear your DD hasn't got in, thanks for the heads up that the results are out. It's DDs first attempt and we are expecting a no, but it was still an interesting experience. Plus it sounds as though there were a record number of applicants, and of course it's a wide age group too.

Results out DD didnt get in (her second attempt, aged 14/15). Gutted.

When DS got into NYT several years ago he had the most amazing time on the course, which he did in London

One tip I would give, if it is the same as then, that they stay in the accommodation all together, rather than commute, he had a couple from his group who commuted home each night and they felt like they had missed out on the whole experience iyswim

He is still in contact some of the boys he was with on the course even though they all went to different Unis and graduated etc. They were from all over UK

GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOUR DC

Well I've just looked at the dates for the scheme for those who are successful, and we are away. It would be typical of DDs luck this year to get through to something she can't actually take part in!😄

Their website says mid May. No idea why it needs to take so long!

Thanks Cory, wise words! Good luck to your DD. And yes I agree, the other students DD has met have been lovely.

Fingers crossed for your dd's scholarship audition, error!!!

We were lucky enough to find a state Sixth Form college that do offer a mix of A-levels and BTECs and are very keen on acting. But other than that, what has helped dd has been just getting as much acting experience as she can: youth theatre, a couple of adult am-dram groups, student film projects and just the experience of repeat auditioning. And going to see plays. And reading plays. And keeping in touch with other drama students on social media and the occasional meet-up. Contrary to popular belief, she has always found that other applicants are really supportive of each other.

She never got into NYT but has had a couple of drama school offers (still waiting to hear from last recall). Her own feeling is that one of the Foundation courses she's been offered would be absolutely right for her and we are happy to help her out with that. She has been working for 2 years so has saved up a bit herself too. She says herself she is really glad she didn't get in anywhere at 18 as she simply wasn't ready for it: she feels she will get a lot more out of it now.

The experience of applying and being rejected and picking yourself up again seems like a fairly good preparation for the industry

Thanks Evil,

error it's quite unusual to be able to combine the two types of qualification. My school does - so my yr 13 BTEC students are all also doing with one or two A2s or another BTEC. We're really small though so can look at them as individuals even where it comes to timetabling. Not sure if it's relevant but plenty of universities now accept BTECs in place of A Levels so the whole "something to fall back on" thing is still just as possible with a BTEC Extended Diploma.

The key for your DD is definitely to get as much performance experience as she can - build up her skills and confidence.