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Extra-curricular activities

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NYMT/BYMT 2024!

833 replies

Biscuitsneeded · 27/10/2023 14:20

Seeing as NYMT have announced their shows, it feels like a good time to start a thread for anyone with DC planning on auditioning for 2024 for either NYMT or BYMT - as performers or musicians, or as assistant creatives. Please come and say hi and tell us a bit about your DC. There are lots of experienced parents of DC who have been part of both organisations, and these threads are always genuinely supportive and helpful.
I'll invite some previous thread participants below - please come and say hi!

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wonderfullife123 · 15/01/2024 11:18

Thanks @Biscuitsneeded that's reassuring. Glad your DS had a good outcome on that one. Thankfully they don't seem to have too long to wait to hear.

Comefromaway · 15/01/2024 10:05

Congrats to allhailthebrain's dc. Fantastic achievment.

Dd and I looked at Arts Ed 6th form when she was in Year 11 but in the end she decided to withdraw her application as it just wouldn't have been viable for her even if she had got in.

Biscuitsneeded · 15/01/2024 09:53

@wonderfullife123 Glad it was broadly a good day. My DS came out of an NYMT audition a few years years ago very subdued. Cried once we got in the car because he had fluffed the singing. He thought it was game over, but it wasn't. I think the creative team are very good at spotting talent behind the nerves. Fingers crossed for both your DDs.

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wonderfullife123 · 15/01/2024 09:25

Fantastic news @allhailthebrain congrats to your DC

yodaforpresident · 15/01/2024 09:07

Congratulations to your DC @allhailthebrain!

wonderfullife123 · 15/01/2024 08:15

Thanks @Biscuitsneeded that's so thoughtful. They enjoyed it! One seemed a bit underwhelmed with how they had done in one of the sections due to nerves. But they definitely had a good day.

Biscuitsneeded · 15/01/2024 07:37

@wonderfullife123 meant to wish your DC broken legs yesterday but it was a bit of a hectic day. I hope they both enjoyed their auditions?

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Biscuitsneeded · 15/01/2024 07:09

@allhailthebrain congratulations to your DC! Very exciting news, and well deserved.

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Biscuitsneeded · 15/01/2024 07:07

@Zanthe welcome! This thread has run annually for the past five or six years, and it's a very nice virtual waiting room for parents with DC auditioning as stage or band performers (or possibly wanting to do a creative mentorship role) with NYMT or BYMT. Some.of us are veterans of the process with much older DC now, and some are recent arrivals. I can honestly say that NYMT has been the best thing my DS has ever done. It's given him so much, and he has made wonderful friends. I can't speak for BYMT because he hasn't done it, but I'm sure the same is true. I think I might be the granny of the group this year, so do ask if you have any questions. How old is your DD? When are her auditions? Very best of luck to her.

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allhailthebrain · 15/01/2024 01:40

Thanks @Coniger ! Decisions to make...

Welcome to the madhouse @Zanthe - has your daughter auditioned for Brit yet? My kid has done NYMT for several years now and I can't speak highly enough for the things it's done for them - best of luck to her! When/where is she auditioning?

NYMT only does select shows which are on their website - so they're auditioning for people for those shows/opportunities. It can mean that really talented people occasionally don't get in because they just aren't the right fit that year for the shows.
BYMT are slightly different - they usually have a few more shows, which can make it a little easier to get in. They only do their own shows however - things they commissioned. So you won't get a show you've heard of where as NYMT do one newly commissioned piece and some known ones (like Into the Woods this year). Their locations can be a little more spread out.

NYMT will recall after first audition and then cast - so you'll find out after second round if you have a show or a workshop, and they'll cast the roles for the shows. With BYMT you'll be offered a show but they won't cast it until later - after you've accepted and started to pay. Sometimes with a casting weekend and sometimes at the start of actual rehearsals.

I think those are the main differences - ultimately those differences are why it can be harder to get in to NYMT, where as BYMT have been known (on occasion) to add a show if it's a year where more people apply. Both are selective auditions though, and both are a fun workshop experience where people want them to do well! Some parents on here might favour one over the other, personal preference - hope that helps!

Coniger · 14/01/2024 23:01

allhailthebrain · 14/01/2024 18:17

Oh - but... after a month's wait, mine has just been offered a place at ArtsEd for sixth form! 😲

huge congratulations to your DC @allhailthebrain

Zanthe · 14/01/2024 21:59

Hello. I’m new here. I can’t believe I found this thread! My DD is auditioning for NYMT and BYMT and we know nothing about them! I only found out about the auditions because my Facebook algorithm started showing me auditions after my daughter suddenly decided she wanted to apply to the Brit School. So I quickly booked these auditions for her but we’re both complete newbies and a bit clueless about it all!

allhailthebrain · 14/01/2024 21:03

Ah thank you @sleepisoverrated1 - everyone will appreciate the good wishes - enjoy those other things!

sleepisoverrated1 · 14/01/2024 18:51

That’s fantastic @allhailthebrain! Huge congratulations to your DC. Mine isn’t able to audition this year (other commitments) but we’re quietly lurking and wishing everyone well. I feel like we’re missing out - NYMT (and from what I’ve heard, BYMT too) is just the most wonderful experience. Keeping everything crossed for you all!

allhailthebrain · 14/01/2024 18:17

Oh - but... after a month's wait, mine has just been offered a place at ArtsEd for sixth form! 😲

allhailthebrain · 14/01/2024 18:13

Welcome @NCMO2G - and well done to your children to you, @Coniger and @Mumster40 ! There are mums in here who could tell you their 12yo daughters got a lead first year actually (I won't name as it would out them!) so rule nothing out for a talented child...

I've heard they're workshopping a new piece AND re-workshopping the boy who sailed the ocean in an armchair this year - wonder if that's somehow what's being referred to...? Do update us when you hear!

My kid isn't auditioning till the end of the month #impatient 😁

Biscuitsneeded · 14/01/2024 13:31

@Mumster40 that's an interesting development. Afraid I can't shed any light, but well done to her! Hope you get clarification soon.

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Mumster40 · 14/01/2024 09:05

Congratulations to everyone! It’s fantastic to hear such positive news! My DD has been invited back for a casting workshop for their ‘New Musicals’ on Sunday 11th Feb at Arts Ed. I’m a little confused as the 11th is still a first round audition date. The recalls are the following weekend…. Could anyone shed any light? Or have a DD in the same boat? I have emailed for clarification but it’s all seems quite vague to me? Many thanks.

Alakazam8 · 13/01/2024 22:37

@Biscuitsneeded she certainly is!! 2 weeks to go yet though!
it is a really positive experience and they really enjoy recall days usually- even if the dont get through this time

Operasingerkath · 13/01/2024 22:06

Congratulations on the successes so far! I love hearing how they all get on! Still a couple of weeks to go for us

NCMO2G · 13/01/2024 21:17

Thanks @Alakazam8 it all sounds really positive and a great experience for them!

NCMO2G · 13/01/2024 21:15

Thanks @Biscuitsneeded thats so helpful!

Biscuitsneeded · 13/01/2024 21:12

@Alakazam8 is your DD auditioning this year? Break a leg to her if so!

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Alakazam8 · 13/01/2024 21:02

Brilliant news some positives to start us off!
Even though she’s only 12 @NCMO2G it doesn’t mean she’s less likely as they need a certain number of younger children in most shows! My dd did showcase at only just 12 along with others here and had a great time! That isn’t on this year as far as I can tell.
workshops are new shows that I think involve a week in the summer…

Biscuitsneeded · 13/01/2024 21:01

@NCMO2G The new musical workshop is usually in summer. It's a little confusing, as traditionally they have run Easter and summer skills workshops/courses which anyone can do by signing up and paying the fee, but they also usually run a workshop each summer where they workshop and then present part of a brand new show (which often goes on to become a fully produced show the following year). They populate this with auditioned people who got recalls but just missed out on a show, so it is by audition only. I imagine that's what they were talking about. The workshop participants are NYMT company members for that year, can be in the Christmas concert etc so it's not just a summer course. And of course if the show does go on to become a produced show the following season (as has happened for Growl, A Little Princess, Kiss for Cinderella, Henrietta, Armchair and now Catastrophe Bay) it can be advantageous to know something about the show prior to auditions next year or possibly to be known to the creatives. So you don't get a week's run in a theatre, but you get the residential, working with professional creatives and you get to see how a musical can grow and develop once the writers are given a cast to play with!

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