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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

National Youth Theatre

105 replies

Dancergirl · 05/01/2017 17:44

Dd is auditioning for National Youth Theatre in a few weeks' time. She is nearly 14 so this is all new to us.

There is a group workshop in the morning and an individual audition in the afternoon. She has to prepare a speech from a play of no more than 2 minutes.

Has anyone's dc auditioned before? Grateful for any advice or tips!

OP posts:
FANTINE2 · 03/04/2017 18:34

Error,
When the time comes, don't discount the idea of a Foundation course, especially for Acting. There are some available which come under the loan system and UCAS. My D did one last year. Ironically, she didn't get accepted subsequently on that particular 3 yr BA course, but she feels she has ended up at a better place.

jo164 · 03/04/2017 19:38

Error, saw you are West country. Has your daughter seen this new extended diploma in association with Bristol Old Vic? Looks great for early professional training rather than A levels if she is set on acting. www.boomsatsuma.com/professionalacting/

errorofjudgement · 03/04/2017 22:15

jo164 that course looks fantastic - thank you. DD is determined to take A levels so she has the academic qualifications to fall back on. However, as everyone knows the step up from GCSE to A level is pretty steep, so I am quietly collecting details on BTEC courses too.
FANTINE2 I totally agree re Foundation courses. So good to hear that your DD found it helpful. Views on other forums are a bit mixed!

FANTINE2 · 04/04/2017 10:03

Good idea re Qualifications. My D did Btec alongside A2's.

errorofjudgement · 04/04/2017 17:53

FANTINE - I think we've "spoken" before. Your DD sounds very clever! We haven't found anywhere that offers the acting/A level mix that DD can access easily, so its just A levels here.
Though in good news, I researched and contacted a couple of youth theatres that are more acting focussed, one has added DDs name to their waiting list, but the other has offered to let her attend a couple of taster sessions after the GCSEs. Smile

EvilTwins · 04/04/2017 20:31

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.

errorofjudgement · 05/04/2017 05:50

Thanks Evil,

corythatwas · 05/04/2017 10:46

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 Wink

errorofjudgement · 06/04/2017 06:35

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

Original poster
Dancergirl · 04/05/2017 19:44

Has anyone had results yet? We are still waiting!

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 05/05/2017 18:07

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

errorofjudgement · 05/05/2017 21:03

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!😄

RTKangaMummy · 05/05/2017 21:17

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

SmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

BCBG · 12/05/2017 18:49

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

errorofjudgement · 12/05/2017 23:01

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.

ArabellaRockerfella · 13/05/2017 00:08

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

EvilTwins · 13/05/2017 09:54

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.

errorofjudgement · 13/05/2017 10:24

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!

errorofjudgement · 13/05/2017 10:28

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 Sad but well done to your DD for her resilience. I dont think my DD would/will bounce back so quickly.

EvilTwins · 13/05/2017 11:13

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.

errorofjudgement · 13/05/2017 16:17

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

Original poster
Dancergirl · 13/05/2017 16:46

It's a no for my dd too Sad

OP posts:
FANTINE2 · 14/05/2017 13:28

Hi EvilTwins,
How did your student find Central?

EvilTwins · 14/05/2017 15:32

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!

EvilTwins · 14/05/2017 15:32

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