NYMT/BYMT 2026

I say this every year - they are really nice people! I guess creatives who choose to work with young people are bound to be approachable, but I also think they actively aim to embody the values they want the participants to display. I don't think it's a coincidence that NYMT auditionees always support each other, that there is so rarely any diva behaviour and that participants often feel such a strong sense of belonging or having found their tribe. They learn that respect and mutual appreciation from the adults. I guess I'm feeling sentimental now, as my DS is moving on, but I will always tell anyone who will listen that NYMT has been the making of him.

Delighted to report back that NYMT were.happy to change the date for my DD’s casting workshop and said it was no problem to so very relieved!

So exciting! Is your ds there on 21st? Dd keeps asking if I've received the material yet and trying to secondnguess which Just So songs will be on the list! It's going to be a long 2 and half weeks! 😂

@madlybusymumoffour - DD did a residential skills course last year at Easter and then got asked to do a (non-residential) new musical workshop (called Windsong) in the summer. I can only assume they had someone drop out of Windsong and thought she was either a near miss at the original audition or impressed on the skills course, as she didn't get invited to a casting workshop, which is the usual way they are cast in a NMW or show.

Going on her experience (which so far has only been those two things), the skills course and the NMW were totally different. The skills course was more like being taught in acting, singing and dancing - it was what I imagine being like performing arts school might be like (although she's at a regular school so I don't really know!).

The NMW was about testing out a specific new musical, and the one she did was heavily about dance and movement, so there was a strong focus on choreography. There was the author /composer of the musical there, two choreographers and I think maybe a musical director as there was a bit of singing involved too. The sessions were about trying out different scenes from the musical to see how they could work, partly for the benefit of the author /composer. So it was really different to the skills course.

From this and previous similar threads I don't think it's the case that DC tend to go in a progression from skills course to NMW to full show - eg there seem to be DC on here who audition for the first time ever and get a show, then don't get a show the next year. Plus all kinds of other combinations.

I think getting a NMW or a show demonstrates that your DC did impress at audition because after the initial audition you (usually) get a call back to a casting workshop either for one (or several) of the shows OR for a NMW. Everyone else gets offered a skills workshop.

@Biscuitsneeded thanks for very useful info.

It's not an automatic progression, no. It means your DD scored well in the audition - well enough to be recalled to be considered for a new musical workshop. The new musical workshops are different from the skills workshops in that they develop a new piece of writing with the writers present - and a director, choreographer, MD etc. They may be cast in a specific role, or work as a part of an ensemble, but taking part means they get to shape the development of a potential new show, just as professional actors 'workshop' new show before they get produced. At the end of the residential week they usually perform a few scenes and numbers to parents. It's not fully produced with sets and costumes, but the young people usually really enjoy having input into what could be a new show, working with the writers, and feeling part of a company. Another bonus is that sometimes the new musical workshops go on to become a full production the following year, and sometimes the original participants get cast again (and sometimes they don't, of course!). This year's show Every Day was a workshop last year, for example.
Maybe somebody whose DC has done a workshop recently can give a bit more detail. Well done to your DD!

Can anyone tell me a bit more about NYMT new musical. DD has just been offered a casting workshop for this.

Are new musical workshops similar to the skills workshops or is it a slightly better offer than the skills workshops? and is it just an automatic progression from being offered skills workshop 1st year of auditions followed by new musical workshop second time auditioning.

Would be very grateful for any extra info on the new musicals. Thanks

Glad to hear your DD enjoyed the auditions. I think it's great how supportive of each other the young people are. Fingers crossed for results!

New to NYMT & BYMT as my DD is 11. Glad I found this thread! My DD did the London BYMT audition on Saturday and the London NYMT audition on Sunday. We are keeping our expectations managed as it's her first attempt but she had such a lovely time and said how supportive all the other attendees were - such a great experience and will definitely do it again next year!

@seventwelve25 my ds recalled for the same two shows!! So exciting for them

Usually everybody gets the recall info at the same time, more or less. Often it's the weekend before the first recall, and then those auditioning that final weekend get their results and any recall materials very quickly after that.

Congratulations to those with recalls. Just a thought how quickly does the recall
material get sent out? In previous years my DC has been at the last audition date so it was sent out almost immediately. Do they all get sent out at the same time?

Thanks @Biscuitsneeded

Congratulations to your DD! I remember chatting to you last year - so glad your DD enjoyed it enough to want to audition again!

Each show will have recall sessions on each of the recall days, so they won't be able to make decisions until after the final day. It's usually fairly quick (a few days) after that, though, that the news comes. Each recall session will have about 15 to 20 people in it, but the DC should bear in mind there are multiple sessions for each show and they won't encounter everyone recalled, so ot's impossoble to predict the outcome. If they don't get cast in a show there is still a good chance of getting a musical worlshop.

P.S. I'm blooming awful at typing on my phone. Please excuse all the typos 🙈😆

Same here @Operasingerkath ! I used to get notifications whenever there was a news message, but for some reason that stopped and I only remembered to jump on this morning as we had fab nes yesterday that DD has been recalled for The Ragged Child and Just So. Such exciting news, travelodge booked and scanning theatre websites for a good show while we're down there!
Congrats to everyone on all the exciting recall news!

yes results will come after all the recslls. Often they come out by show. It isn’t normally too long to wait.

@Mari2026 In previous years they have waited until they have seen everyone before casting. Which makes sense. So I’m pretty sure that’s what will happen again.

Congratulations to all those who have been recalled and hope that those who weren't have bounced back.

For those who have attended recalls previously, do they do all the recalls and only then start sending out casting news? We're going to the first day of recalls on the 15th for The Ragged Child and Just So so I am wondering whether it's likely that we won't hear anything until w/c 23rd Feb onwards.

Break a leg to your DC! Keep us posted...

I think my DS will probably support from the sidelines this year... We will still watch the shows.

Thanks for your replies @Operasingerkath @Mumster40 that gives me a bit of hope then that it’s not out of the question - will keep fingers and toes crossed then that they will be willing to move her to the 22nd🙏

This happened to us last year because of the half term differences throughout the country. They did some of the recalls on a Monday and Tuesday last year but my DS was still at college so we asked if he could go at the weekend instead of the Monday. There was no problem. I know the numbers are up significantly this year but hopefully they’ll be able to accommodate.

Lots of fantastic recall news this morning! Well done everyone. @ItsMeHi48 definitely email them and ask. I know people who have successfully swapped dates in previous years. My DC is auditioning at the weekend. Can’t believe it’s all come along so quickly again….. @Biscuitsneeded interesting to hear that there will be no Platform this year. I’m sure the ‘seniors’ will be an invaluable asset to any production though if they chose to audition x

Delighted to have found this chat - we are totally new to NYMT auditions, DD auditioned for the first time last Sunday and we heard yesterday that she has a casting workshop for new musicals recall but it’s on 21 Feb when we’re flying back from a holiday that morning so can’t make the time/day😖 I have emailed to politely ask if any chance she could attend on 22nd Feb instead (on the website it says recalls are 15,21,22 Feb). What do you think my chances are of them saying yes and moving her to 22nd? 🙏