NYMT

[aplo]

Hi, have just joined here so hope I am posting in the correct place. Just wondering if anyone here has a child auditioning for NYMT or similar groups this year.
My DD (age 11 ) is auditioning next sunday

[FANTINE1]

Possibly Evil Twins. I still feel that it was naive and foolish of NYMT to re tweet that photo. Presumably there were others up for the part? I wonder how they felt when they saw that tweet[and they will have done], hours before the official cast list came out. Just doesn't seem right to me, especially when everybody speaks so highly of NYMT.
Maybe I'm being too cynical, but I suppose that once they've got your audition fee, they can do what they like!

[FANTINE1]

You could be right EvilTwins, but I think it was foolish of NYMT to retweet that photo and comment, just hours before the cast list came out. I presume that there were others re called for that part. I wonder how they felt when they saw that tweet[and they will have done] Just seems a bit wrong to me.

[FANTINE1]

You could be right EvilTwins, but I think it was foolish of NYMT to retweet that photo and comment, just hours before the cast list came out. I presume that there were others re called for that part. I wonder how they felt when they saw that tweet[and they will have done] Just seems a bit wrong to me.

[FANTINE1]

You could be right EvilTwins, but I think it was foolish of NYMT to retweet that photo and comment, just hours before the cast list came out. I presume that there were others re called for that part. I wonder how they felt when they saw that tweet[and they will have done] Just seems a bit wrong to me.

[FANTINE1]

You could be right EvilTwins, but I think it was foolish of NYMT to retweet that photo and comment, just hours before the cast list came out. I presume that there were others re called for that part. I wonder how they felt when they saw that tweet[and they will have done] Just seems a bit wrong to me.

[FANTINE1]

You could be right EvilTwins, but I think it was foolish of NYMT to retweet that photo and comment, just hours before the cast list came out. I presume that there were others re called for that part. I wonder how they felt when they saw that tweet[and they will have done] Just seems a bit wrong to me.

[FANTINE1]

You could be right EvilTwins, but I think it was foolish of NYMT to retweet that photo and comment, just hours before the cast list came out. I presume that there were others re called for that part. I wonder how they felt when they saw that tweet[and they will have done] Just seems a bit wrong to me.

[EvilTwins]

I think that kids who are serious about working in this industry need to learn to deal with the unfairness of it all.

The boy I teach who was up for Spring Awakening is not upset about this. He knows that getting a recall means he was good enough for the show but that on this occasion he might not look right/fit the director's vision/be too tall/too skinny/too blond etc etc

As a school drama teacher, I make sure no one is ever excluded but with something like NYT/NYMT, they have to make it more real.

[FANTINE1]

Sorry for the multiple posts. No idea what happened?

I agree EvilTwins, but remember people have paid to audition, so I think NYMT have a duty to be seen to be fair and doing things absolutely correctly.
They appear to pride themselves on being nice, welcoming, encouraging etc. Not sure that this is the reality though.

[Biscuitsneeded]

To be honest the regional audition fee is not enormous. I think it was £48? It's what you would pay for a day's workshop anywhere with a local performing arts organisation. DS went thinking he was going to get a day's workshop with some excellent people and if anything else came of it, that was a bonus. There was no further charge for the recalls, other than the travel to London. I assume that £48 covers the costs of venue hire, staff time and travel expenses. It won't be making much money for the coffers. I do take your point about the tweet, but I don't think anybody could reasonably infer that NYMT takes your money and then casts exactly who they had always intended to cast anyway! The SA parts are going to be high profile, and a BIG ask of the young people. I think it's reasonable that they would cast mostly from the ranks of the tried and tested, with so much at stake. It's very possible that some fabulous, unknown 17/18 year olds have turned up this year, and been cast in Boat, for example. When they prove their mettle this summer perhaps they'll be considered for the flagship show next year. I don't really see anything wrong with that.

[Biscuitsneeded]

Interesting discussion though, Fantine!

[EvilTwins]

I agree EvilTwins, but remember people have paid to audition

If they want to work in the industry, they have a few more years of paying for auditions ahead of them. My 6th form students who are currently applying for courses are shelling out £££££ in audition fees.

[aplo]

Just reviving this thread to see if anyone's DC's are at NYMT at the moment. Dd is there since Saturday in the group for the gala in October and is absolutely loving every minute.

[Biscuitsneeded]

Hi Aplo. Spotted your DD at drop off on Saturday - was dropping DS for Battle of Boat. Glad your DD is enjoying it. DS is having an amazing time. Did you know the October tickets are already on sale?

[aplo]

You should have said hello!! I dropped her off!

They are on sale, (we have already bought!) rutlive.co.uk/event/encore-40-years-of-the-nymt/

It sounds like it is going to be an amazing night, Dd keeps sending us new songs they are doing and she told us this evening that Eddie Redmayne is going to be involved in the west side story section!

[Biscuitsneeded]

Haven't bought our tickets yet but must! I can't think beyond Boat at the end of next week but will get onto it. Lucky kids.

[aplo]

Enjoy Boat, and best of luck to your DS, we are heading straight to France (literally driving straight to Folkestone) when we collect DD on Thursday so won't get to see it but looking forward to seeing what they do from it in October.

[Biscuitsneeded]

Have a great holiday then! I hope your DD continues to have a lovely week, and will look out for her in October.

[EvilTwins]

My student is involved in October too. I've got a ticket and am really looking forward to seeing it. Another student in the same class is in the NYT gala in September, which I'm also going to - very exciting to have two in the West End within a month of each other!

[EvilTwins]

Oh, and returning to a discussion point from the thread, my student said that there was a bit of amusement from staff about how much he (student) looks like the boy the cast as the lead in Spring Awakening - the one featured in the controversial tweet. He said he got the feeling that it wouldn't have mattered how good he was in his SA audition - he had no chance because they weren't going to cast two who look similar, and this other guy is "a favourite". He is pleased to be involved in Encore as it feels like a bit of a foot in the door.

[Biscuitsneeded]

Just got back yesterday from watching DS in Battle of Boat, which was incredible. It had all the spirit and energy of Matilda with the epic and dramatic feel and rousing ensemble numbers of Les Mis. The whole experience has been fabulous for DS. One thing that was very apparent to me was how well the show had been cast. Each individual was exactly right for the character they were playing. They were all supremely talented but also a genius had clearly cast them. And for those who came close to getting in this year but weren't cast, I think that really shows that it's not just about talent - they are looking to fill very particular parts. So for the kids on this thread who came close, you should absolutely definitely try again next year as it may simply have been the case that you didn't fit a part this year. It's great that so many have been invited to be part of the Encore Gala group and from what I've heard, what they've been rehearsing looks and sounds amazing too. We're looking forward to October now (DS is bereft and very keen to see all his NYMT friends again!).

[EvilTwins]

That's interesting Biscuits. I think it's half the show - getting the casting right. As a school drama teacher I tend to chose shows that I know I can cast well, based on who I know I will have available, but casting a show when you don't know who will walk through the door and getting it so right is a real talent.

[aplo]

Eviltwins and biscuits we are really looking forward to October here. DD adored every minute of the rehearsals and has been singing through and working out the dance routines since she came home. Biscuits I have a few friends who saw boat and they said exactly the same about the casting - they all adored the show too- one of them said to Dd that she couldn't quite see her in any of the parts even though I know this person thinks DD is fantastic. DD also saw some of the boat rehearsals while she was in Sevenoaks and was blown away.
She did very well at the gala rehearsals and has quite a few solos and feels that she will be in a much stronger position at the auditions next year. We have just booked our flights for the September rehearsals ( thankfully we can do it in a day trip) and our hotel and flights for October - this isn't a cheap business by any means but at least we are benefiting from current euro/ sterling rate!

[Biscuitsneeded]

Aplo, glad your DD enjoyed the Sevenoaks experience and is looking forward to October. I think the gala group kids will be doing most of the performing, as each of the 4 productions is only doing one number plus the finale from what I can see. Well done to your DD for getting solos. I agree it is an expensive business! DS and I just went to watch Brass today, which was also amazing. Some seriously talented young people. DS has had a lovely summer and apart from the (inevitable) expense I can't fault NYMT as they have been super-friendly, helpful and very well organised throughout, and created four great productions. I know DS will want to try again next year and although I do think he got very lucky this year because he was a perfect match for a particular part, and that might not happen twice, I will have to let him try. We begged sponsorship off all and sundry this year but I'd feel bad doing that again, so am going to start putting away some money each month just in case he's lucky enough to be involved again.

[aplo]

Wasn't last night just an amazing night. It was a delight to see so much young talent having an absolutely brilliant time on stage.
Biscuits I found myself wondering which boy was yours in boat,- they were all absolutely fantastic, I am really sorry we didn't manage to see the whole show.
Evil hope you enjoyed it too- the gala ensemble had a really full on night.
Dd is coming back to do the Christmas concert so at least it isn't all over for her here and we have booked her audition for next year too as she "never wants to leave NYMT" now after last night!