NYMT/BYMT 2023 thread

[Comefromaway]

Ok, I know we technically haven't finished 2022 yet as there is still the Christmas Concert for some (my ds is not taking part due to his conservatoire concert) but NYMT have released details of their 2023 season & auditions here

mailchi.mp/nymt/nymt-2022-season-announcement-5919443?fbclid=IwAR2nM_B-gUzYyvEzUTMDFUt2c4RiuW5ElKjmdxG6qJIgIPS2W6owl8GY7NY

Good luck everyone whose dc are applying this year

Ooh just seen it. Kiss Me Kate is back from the 2020 season!

Ds is right in the middle of the banner on their website! His friend is also just off to the right.

I mean I know there are a lot of pics on there but it's nice to see it.

Thanks for starting the thread!! Super excited at the news of NYMT 2023 season!! DC will be trying out as both musician and performer again after an amazing season this year! And soooo looking forward to the Christmas concert too!!

Ds will be trying out for creatives scheme & musician but he will only be able to afford to do one.

Hi everyone!!
Back for another year!! DD is defo applying as a performer this year after being in Chess last year. She’s on gap year and working full time at the moment, and is unsure whether she will actually want to do it if given a place, due to a) the financial side of it and b) the unpredictability of dates etc. But we’re here for the ride so hello everyone again!!

As will we this time. Although I think being offered both this year was a bit of a one-off tbh!

Good luck to everyone applying. DD won't auditioning as the summer holidays for performing arts colleges are incredibly short.
BYMT has definitely been part of her route that she is very gratefully. Interestingly DH was fortunate to meet Ed Sheeran at an event - he rates BYMT as one of his best experiences as a teen trying to work out of singing could be a career hence why he is now their patron. It is not just for those who are certain MT is their thing.

The good news is that Ds is far, far les angsty about recording online auditions than he was last year. He did one last weekend with 30 mins notice and got the job (but had to turn it down) so fingers crossed for no meltdowns.

@Lonecatwithkitten thats interesting. I don’t think DD’s main interest in musical theatre although definitely in music/performing and shes at the younger end so it’s good to hear this from alumni.

Hi everyone, ds will definitely be auditioning for NYMT but won't be recording until the new year as he's currently working on new pieces (viola) and has too much going on over the next half term with the Christmas season. He's very excited by the shows though. It would be good to know where each show is (geographically). He's doing the Christmas concert on the 17th. Any one else?

Ds wanted to do the Christmas concert but he is playing in his conservatoire Xmas concert the evening before so the distance and logistics didn’t work out.

Dd is in panto and has two shows the day after so didn’t work for us unfortunately. Hopefully next year!

Hello All! I knew there would be a thread here somewhere! DS will want to be part of something with NYMT if he can, I'm sure. He had such a wonderful time in Ragtime. He's generally Mr Last Minute, so I'm not expecting to him to announce that he has recorded a song or booked an audition any day soon, but I know he wants to. Looking forward to the Christmas concert.

I am very new to all this so would greatly appreciate any advice. Could someone please explain what the differences are between NYMT and BYMT, if any? Also is NYT primarily for older children?

NYMT was founded in 1976. They perform a mixture of well known and specially commissioned shows.

BYMT are a more recent organisation. Their shows tend to be specially written, new original shows.

@Comefromaway thank you. So they are very similar then! Do you know how it works if you book a non-auditioned course and then you subsequently are successful at audition? I noticed that the rehearsals overlap significantly with the non-auditioned courses - are they at the same venues?

With BYMT if you audition and don't get a place you are offered a place on the non-audition courses. So no need to book before you audition.

NYMT use a few different venues for rehearsals. Last year they used Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Uppingham schools

Thank you @Lonecatwithkitten. I have been looking at the NYMT terms and conditions and it isn't clear there what happens - you are also able to book the non-auditioned courses separately. I think I am going to have to email......

Both organisations are well respected and great opportunities for young performers. My ds was part of a cast for NYMT in 2020 in a show that didn’t happen but his audition experience was great as was the effort spent by NYMT when it was hoped that shows might happen but obviously didn’t. I would say that as NYMT cast to specific parts it is harder to get into- you might be the best for your age/gender but if you don’t fit the characters in the selected shows until last year you wouldn’t be selected. Auditions are a two stage process.

Last year they introduced more of a showcase concert which allowed them to open up places to talented children who didn’t meet the needs of the specific shows.

BYMT is newer but is still 19 years old. They put on new musicals and create a company for each show. They will then do casting sessions either at the start of rehearsals or in May hols. My ds has had two amazing summers with them- learned so much, got to input creatively and made lots of friends from across the country.

NYT- I not had any personal experience of this but agree they tend to take them a bit older.

@yodaforpresident I would say any of the 3 organisations would be a great experience but you need to ready yourself for the stressful wait for the outcomes! On this board we find wine helps! There is lots of experience on here on NYMT and BYMT so lots of helpful advice.

My ds has just started at a performing 6th form so things are pretty hectic so we he us still deciding on auditions for next year.

Good luck to everyone starting the journey.

NYMT only do 3 or 4 shows and therefore are quite difficult to get into as you might be super talented but not fit the shows. They audition to cast the specific shows each year. BYMT do more shows and audition to find a certain level of talent, but don't specifically cast roles at that stage. Both have residential rehearsals - NYMT do Easter and summer, BYMT only do summer but it might be longer. Lots of similarities and lots of differences - horses for courses really.
NYT is quite different in that you need to be at least 14 and it's a course rather than a production. And although there are very good pastoral staff your child needs to be able to feed themselves etc as it's student accommodation with kitchens as opposed to catered boarding school facilities. DS has done NYMT several times and NYT once (you can only do the course once) and absolutely loved both.

@yodaforpresident I would book an audition first of all. If your DC isn't successful for NYMT at least, they will know by late Feb and could then still book a place on a non-auditioned course. BYMT tend to give casting news during March. Happy to answer any Qs about NYMT and NYT if you send me a message.

@yodaforpresident I and others have found that NYMT are a little better at the pastoral side of things if that’s a concern of yours.

Thank you all for your kind responses - it is so helpful. Yes, we are very much at the beginning as DD is only in Y7 but she has picked out her song and is very excited about the audition. I only hope that my video skills are up to scratch!