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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

NYMT/BYMT 2026

792 replies

doesanybodyhaveamap · 27/10/2025 20:38

So with the big reveal of the 50th anniversary programme it feels like a good time to start the 2026 chat!

Here we go again 🥳🥳🥳

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Lionelblair · 23/01/2026 10:03

Sorry to hear that @NervesAreShot commiserations for DC and hope they bounce back ok.

DS has made it through to next stage for two shows, so good news here - phew.

NervesAreShot · 23/01/2026 09:53

Just heard - no recall here unfortunately

Authenticallyme1010 · 23/01/2026 09:06

“ ….i hope it’s toodaaaayyyyy…” 😉🎵

Lionelblair · 22/01/2026 21:14

Yeah I think you’re right. Hopefully tomorrow!

HanD31 · 22/01/2026 20:38

Guessing we won’t hear until tomorrow now?

Authenticallyme1010 · 22/01/2026 18:42

Lionelblair · 22/01/2026 14:19

Any news for anyone from last weekend auditions? Hoping we hear today…🙏🏼

Nothing here.. 😬

HanD31 · 22/01/2026 16:37

Not so patiently waiting!

NervesAreShot · 22/01/2026 15:07

Lionelblair · 22/01/2026 14:19

Any news for anyone from last weekend auditions? Hoping we hear today…🙏🏼

Nothing here so far....

Lionelblair · 22/01/2026 14:19

Any news for anyone from last weekend auditions? Hoping we hear today…🙏🏼

Mumster40 · 22/01/2026 09:33

@NervesAreShot sounds about right! Carousel wasn’t staged at the Hippodrome studio as it was a site specific production. Hence, the bigger cast…..

NervesAreShot · 22/01/2026 09:20

Mumster40 · 22/01/2026 09:08

Re. numbers. In my opinion you couldn’t fit more than 40 on stage at the Birmingham Hippodrome studio. My daughter was in Fame last year and I think there were around 30 in the cast. However, The Rose Theatre Kingston is much bigger. Maybe The Ragged Child will have a more substantial cast? Also lots of opportunities for younger performers in that piece.

Just had a quick look at last years program

fame - 33
tuck - 35
lightening boy - 32
carousel - 46

Mumster40 · 22/01/2026 09:08

Re. numbers. In my opinion you couldn’t fit more than 40 on stage at the Birmingham Hippodrome studio. My daughter was in Fame last year and I think there were around 30 in the cast. However, The Rose Theatre Kingston is much bigger. Maybe The Ragged Child will have a more substantial cast? Also lots of opportunities for younger performers in that piece.

Biscuitsneeded · 21/01/2026 19:38

Yes I think 70 probably includes the band. And don't forget there is Ragged Child in addition to the summer shows.

Lionelblair · 21/01/2026 18:57

Thanks for link @MxPickles , interesting article. Definitely hints at there being more announcements to come. Sounds like WSS is going to be a much bigger show, on nymt website it says 50+ so maybe 70 is including the musicians.

MxPickles · 21/01/2026 17:14

Good luck to all those waiting for news from last weekend - how are the nerves?

Just wanted to chime in with an opinion on numbers cast... I read in a theatre weekly article that the cast of WSS is going to be 70+ which to my mind sounds like a much bigger ensemble than the numbers involved in any of the 2025 shows.

Anyone have an idea of numbers for Carousel and Fame? It looked to be about 30 - 40 to me but my DC wasnt involved in either production so I could be way off!

Anyway just to say it does sound like they are going for some pretty big ensemble pieces this season to try and cast as many performers as possible.

Also interested to hear if there will be a crescendo type project this year.... still got a feeling there may be more to be announced.

https://theatreweekly.com/national-youth-music-theatre-celebrates-50-years-with-ambitious-2026-season/

National Youth Music Theatre Celebrates 50 Years with Ambitious 2026 Season - Theatre Weekly

The National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) has announced its 50th anniversary season, marking five decades of nurturing the next generation

https://theatreweekly.com/national-youth-music-theatre-celebrates-50-years-with-ambitious-2026-season/

NervesAreShot · 21/01/2026 16:46

Authenticallyme1010 · 21/01/2026 16:45

Nothing yet. Will keep an eye out from this evening onwards. The emails came through on a Wednesday evening (just after 8 pm) last year (but less audition days). Finger, toes and everything crossed!

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and to you and your DC 🍀

Authenticallyme1010 · 21/01/2026 16:45

NervesAreShot · 21/01/2026 16:34

My DS was in London and was told 'by Friday'. Nothing so far.....you?

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Nothing yet. Will keep an eye out from this evening onwards. The emails came through on a Wednesday evening (just after 8 pm) last year (but less audition days). Finger, toes and everything crossed!

NervesAreShot · 21/01/2026 16:34

Authenticallyme1010 · 19/01/2026 08:17

My DC was a little vague and said something about 1-2 weeks (which could be more realistic based on multiple auditions on the same day etc). Has anyone waited longer that 4-5 days?

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My DS was in London and was told 'by Friday'. Nothing so far.....you?

Biscuitsneeded · 20/01/2026 16:00

I should also add that to get a recall at all is a great achievement and means you showed you were of a suitable standard to be castable, so whatever the eventual outcome, a DC with a recall should feel proud. I reckon about 25% of auditionees from each first round progress to recall, which given the usual high standards even at first round is quite a feat.

NervesAreShot · 20/01/2026 14:59

Biscuitsneeded · 20/01/2026 14:56

That is a very good question, and the answer is it changes every year depending on how many shows, how many places in each show and how many recalled! I think they try to recall lots, to give as many as possible the chance to get into a show and also to see who comes close and is suitable for a new musical workshop, but that means even at recall stage there's a lot of competition. Hopefully your younger DS enjoyed his workshop experience last year and would agree that it is a fun and worthwhile experience even if one is disappointed not to get a show after recalls.

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He absolutely loved it 😍He was only ever recalled for a new musical workshop though as opposed to one of the shows

Biscuitsneeded · 20/01/2026 14:56

NervesAreShot · 20/01/2026 13:51

Do you know what percentage of kids recalled get into the shows?

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That is a very good question, and the answer is it changes every year depending on how many shows, how many places in each show and how many recalled! I think they try to recall lots, to give as many as possible the chance to get into a show and also to see who comes close and is suitable for a new musical workshop, but that means even at recall stage there's a lot of competition. Hopefully your younger DS enjoyed his workshop experience last year and would agree that it is a fun and worthwhile experience even if one is disappointed not to get a show after recalls.

NervesAreShot · 20/01/2026 13:51

Biscuitsneeded · 15/01/2026 14:52

Congratulations to your DC!

Each show will have several recall sessions across 2 or 3 days with about 15 - 20 people in each group who could be all ages, genders and sizes. If you are recalled for 2 shows, the team will make sure your sessions are consecutive - or at the very least, on the same day - so you won't have to travel there twice. You'll get sent some materials to look at/prepare about a week before the recall date. Recalls are generally great fun and although thee are bound to be nerves here and there, if your DC enjoyed the first round it should be right up their street.

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Do you know what percentage of kids recalled get into the shows?

NervesAreShot · 20/01/2026 10:34

Hello - only just found this thread. My eldest DS did stage management for Carousel last year and auditioned on Sunday for a performer role (he's more of a dancer/actor than a singer so will be interesting to see how he's got on). My youngest DS did a new musical workshop last year but didn't want to audition this year due to GCSEs (which was a really tough decision as they're putting on the show he workshopped!). Good luck to everyone!!

Lionelblair · 19/01/2026 10:54

My DC auditioned yesterday and was told they’d hear within 1 week. Fingers crossed!

Authenticallyme1010 · 19/01/2026 08:17

Biscuitsneeded · 19/01/2026 07:17

Glad your DC enjoyed it. They normally hear within a few days, but it probably varies a bit depending on how many weekend auditions there were around the country, what else is going on etc. Hopefully you wont be waiting more than a week. Was your DC told anything?

My DC was a little vague and said something about 1-2 weeks (which could be more realistic based on multiple auditions on the same day etc). Has anyone waited longer that 4-5 days?