National Youth Theatre

[Dancergirl]

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!

Worth trying again next year. It took my daughter 2 years, and even then she was put on the reserve list. She got her offer the first week of August. Have faith, it will happen for him.

My dd was a bit disappointed but she wasn't really expecting a yes anyway, she's keen to try again next year. Not sure whether she should try one of their audition workshops maybe....

eviltwins or anyone else, do you know of any drama courses for this age group in the summer? Dd did one at Tring Park last year which she enjoyed but it clashes with something else this year. There seems to be loads going on for musical theatre but not much for straight drama. We are in London but she's happy to go to a residential one.

Sorry to hear your DD wasn't successful this year, Dancergirl, and I hope she has better luck next year.

Re summer holiday courses in London, Arts Ed in Chiswick do a couple of straight drama ones for 12-15 age group. DS (10) did an acting course with them in the Easter holidays and really enjoyed it. He has worked professionally and prefers courses that are a challenge/learning experience rather than those aimed at "just for fun"; he thought the staff were excellent and felt like he learned a lot. I found them very well-organised and easy to deal with.

The other place I hear good things about is the Young Actors Theatre Islington. They also run holiday acting courses for the 12-15 age group; DS hasn't tried them though so no personal experience.

Thanks theatre have checked out the Arts Ed one which looks good. The only thing is the journey, dd is confident on the tube but we are nowhere near either the District or Piccadilly lines so would be a complicated journey. I'll have to check if there is an overground train.

Guildhall do a summer course for acting for 16/17 year olds. DD did it last year, and absolutely loved it. She is still in touch with many other participants, and felt she learned such a lot (and had a ball!)