NYMT / BYMT 2021

[doesanybodyhaveamap]

Starting a new thread for NYMT / BYMT hopefuls in 2021.

DD13 is auditioning for NYMT for the second time as stage performer and as musician. We just received an invite to the next round (online workshops).

She was gutted that Covid put a stop to her show (Imaginary) last year so we are keeping everything crossed that she gets another shot.

We've also booked a BYMT audition and she's already in the musician pool there so hopefully a show of some sort this year if we get some kind of normality back again...

Anyone else out there?

Hi all

Just completed application for NYMT for my DD 13. She had audition for BYMT in early Feb. First time applying for both.

She felt that the BYMT didn't go well.

Fingers crossed for all!

My dd has applied to both. We are wondering how they are going to fit it in with last years shows too? Or are they just moving the performers across?

What do you do if you get in both?!! There must be some clashes of dates etc. Not sure we will be in that position but it sounds like quite a few apply to both?

I guess it depends on dates and finances @Newgirls ... last year DD was meant to be going to be in the position of having a show as performer in June/July with NYMT, and then a clash in late August as a musician with both BYMT and NYMT. We would have had a difficult decision to make between the last two as the shows she was offered were both great opportunities musically. Covid put a stop to it all of course. First of all the June/July show got pushed back so at one point it was still possible for her to do NYMT performer and BYMT musician (just). Then it all went away 😭😭😭. Would be truly devastating to go from that scenario to having nothing this year!!

Also in terms of this year, NYMT are starting from scratch. New shows (except one) and everyone reauditions.

I believe BYMT are rolling places and shows over but also adding in a few more shows to accommodate this years successful applicants. @Lonecatwithkitten is that right??

So helpful thank you x

I hope the kids who got in last year still get to perform.

@doesanybodyhaveamap and @Newgirls yes BYMT have rolled over last years shows and are adding extra shows. The Ambassador Theatre Group (ALW) are providing lots of assistance getting them theatre space and other venues.
Peter Pan (DD's show) was originally going to be last August bank holiday at The Richmond Theatre it will now be this summer probably at Powderham Castle Jr Exeter.
Every step of the way BYMT offered to stay on the show, switch productions, switch to camp rather than production or have full refund. They have been excellent.

Yeh... it's pretty tough on the NYMT kids to have lost last year entirely and now have to reaudition. I get the reasons, but doesn't make it any less disappointing. It's such a huge achievement to get in even once so to have that taken away by something entirely beyond your control is horrid. I think that's partly why DD fell apart after her workshop- she wants to have another shot so badly!

But I guess they are all in the same boat.

Ah i see. Interesting they took dif approaches.

I know isn't it just!! The kids that were cast for NYMT last year must have been devastated (dd included) So good that BYMT have kept their young performers on for this year.

I suppose in the context of people losing their entire livelihoods it's pretty minor. And it's the nature of the world they are getting themselves into.... I'm not moaning about NYMT. They really tried very hard to keep something going for them, pushing the productions to later in the year and then trying to run an epic Gala Performance at Christmas that would have involved 20 min excerpts of each show. There were zooms and workshops and facebook groups and fitness sessions... so they were part of something at least. They take a different approach to BYMT generally - shows are fully cast during the audition process so they couldn't just roll places over as kids change, voices break, people are no longer available etc....

Yes the different approach to casting is the main thing. BYMT haven't yet formally cast though I think in selection/allocation to shows there is an element of informally casting, though I think once Peter Pan is formally cast I might be able to give you a better view on that. I know DD's casting type and Peter Pan does have very particular female roles so I have a pretty good idea where she should be. So I will keep you posted.

So interesting re the differences, that explains a lot. I know NYMT did best to cling onto a performance for their 2020 company? So sad for them especially if they don't fit any of the new parts or get cast this year.

second comments from DoesAnybody... dd was an nymt musician last year and they reall tried to support them - did a fab collab piece which was just the perfect selection. yes she would have loved to have been ‘rolled over’ but each pig orchestra is a unique grouping so they may well not need her instrument etc this year so she is fine (but is very keen to know!)

pit not pig!

Hahahha I was wondering what a pig orchestra would sound like!

@Stagemom which show did your DD get into last year and then not get to do? Has she done NYMT before?

How long was it after submitting
the videos to NYMT that you heard back?

I already feel like I'm constantly checking. With BYMT I know we've got a wait as they have auditions up until late March so I can relax about that one for now.

@chaperonemum it was a few weeks. But don't worry, you will hear something.

Just to add, my DS was one who was cast last year for NYMT but I do understand why they can't just roll the casts over for this year. It is, as a previous poster said, partly because kids grow, voices break etc but it's also because NYMT is smaller and they have to disappoint lots of truly talented applicants every year - it wouldn't be fair to effectively exclude those kids 2 years running without giving them a chance. BYMT can carry casts over for 2021 and still recruit new applicants because it seems like each year they add shows at a later stage if they have enough talented applicants - their upper limit is only fixed by how many shows they can administratively cope with. NYMT plans its season the Autumn before, knows exactly how many performers it needs, has the theatres booked and the creative teams get going early on the shows even before they have the cast in place. It's a totally different way of doing things, and I imagine each way has its merits.

@Biscuitsneeded My DD was cast in a production which should have been in May. So, full into rehearsals, costume fittings done etc. They put it back to October but couldn't put it back further due to licensing, costs and the age of some of the cast members. Everyone was understandably gutted. I feel very sorry for everyone who's performances were cancelled. It's great if they can move them back but sadly not always possible.

just checked - nymt musicians heard 22/3 last year but had availability check few weeks before

Will they choose musicians just from their self tapes?

@chaperonemum Yes it's been so sad for everyone. I expect most of the DC on this thread lost at least one production last year. Some of DS' friends seem to have forgotten how much they love doing shows over lockdown - not sure if that's the result of not getting to do any, or just normal teenage stuff.This year needs to be amazing to woo back all those kids who have lost their way a bit.

@Newgirls they mentioned there might be workshops i think but didn’t say absolutely

@Biscuitsneeded BYMT commission and own most of their scripts/scores which makes it much easier as they don't need to apply for licences. So adding extra shows is easy. Having been responsible for applying for licences they are a nightmare and really complex.