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Extra-curricular activities

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NYMT / BYMT 2025

974 replies

doesanybodyhaveamap · 22/10/2024 19:22

Starting off a new thread for 2025 now that both organisations have opened applications for next season!

OP posts:
sittingpretty · 27/10/2024 19:41

Biscuitsneeded · 22/10/2024 21:18

Thank you @doesanybodyhaveamap for setting this up. Hope lots of new parents will join the thread and share the biscuits (and the gin when the auditions get going...). My DS is 19 and very definitely does not want or need his mother getting involved in his business, but if you chopped him in half you'd find NYMT running through his veins, so if all the years of his auditioning have lent me any wisdom, I'm more than happy to share it.

My DD 14 is thinking of auditioning for the first time (been encouraged by school) but I have so many questions. I hope I've found the right place. We are in London so that's easy but I'd love an introduction to the whole thing so I can be a bit more informed when I'm talking with her. I know it's very competitive (I saw somewhere 1000 auditionees!) but what is the acceptance rate for shows/workshops so I can manage expectations. What kind of things do the workshops cover? She's very confident singing and acting but terrified about the dancing bit. Do they have a junior program with the younger ones? And perhaps most importantly how much does it cost?!? Please feel free to guide me to a previous thread if you've covered this over and over. Thanks in advance!

Biscuitsneeded · 27/10/2024 21:38

@sittingpretty Welcome! You are indeed in the right place.

In essence, both NYMT and BYMT audition across the country to find talented young people to take part in their summer shows. If you get cast in a show you will have at least one (possibly two) residentials for rehearsals, and then several performances of the show at the end. The standard of the productions is excellent for both organisations, and I say this not to intimidate prospective applicants, but to emphasise what a great experience it is for the young people involved.

In addition, both organisations run some courses and workshops for young people who may not wish to do a show, or perhaps need to work on some skills first. How and when these are organised varies between the two organisations. I believe that with BYMT you can just sign up, whereas NYMT holds auditions and uses that process to place the young person on the best kind of course for them. Thirdly, NYMT places some applicants in 'new musical workshops', which give a young cast the opportunity to experience being a part of the creation of a new show, and writers of new UK musicals a chance to see their ideas come to life. The other main difference is that BYMT has a repertoire of its own shows, whereas NYMT offers a mix of established, well-known shows (eg Fame and Carousel, which have been announced for next year), new commissions (Lightning Boy, which was successfully workshopped last summer and has been given the green light for a full production next summer) and occasionally shows that don't get seen much in the UK (in recent years, a stupendous production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Manchester Cathedral, and for the next summer the very first UK production of Tuck Everlasting).

From here on I'm going to talk purely about NYMT, because that's the one I know about. On the website you'll find a list of audition dates and venues. You choose whichever suits you best, and you pay a fee of £45 for a full day audition workshop with professional creatives. These workshops are really fun and friendly, and in my experience the young people come out buzzing. Your young person just needs to prepare a musical theatre song to sing, and take along sheet music - the acting and dance is all done on the day. Don't worry about the dance! Lots of auditionees are not dancers - they just want to see the young people moving and performing and enjoying it. The trained dancers are more likely to end up in the more dance-heavy shows, but previous dance lessons are not required. If your DD loves to sing and act, it's definitely a day she will enjoy. From there she may get offered a course, or she may be invited to a casting weekend session to determine whether she is offered a role in a show or a place in one of the new musical workshop casts, or an advanced skills course. NYMT has a commitment to being inclusive, so yes, 1000 people or maybe more will audition, but everyone who auditions will be offered something. Of course, if what you're offered doesn't suit you, there's no obligation to take it up, but the opportunity is there to be part of the NYMT Company.
There isn't a 'junior program' as such, because all the shows tend to need a range of ages, from 10-23, but I do know that for the courses last summer they split into smaller groups by age group.

The cost will depend on what your DD ends up doing. I'm linking here to the fees page, where you can see what courses, new musical workshops and shows cost. nymt.org.uk/take-part/actors/
There is a bursary scheme for cases of need. Obviously, most of the experiences offered involve a residential, and they all involve the work of brilliant professional creatives, so yes, they do cost, but I know NYMT has actually tried to reduce costs year on year - and if you work them out as a daily rate, and consider that your young person is getting bed and board, excellent pastoral care, tuition from the very best creatives and an experience that they will probably treasure for ever, I actually think it's very reasonable.

I hope that answers some of your questions. If you have more, don't hesitate to ask! I'd definitely encourage your DD to book an audition - it's a wonderful organisation, and if nothing else she will have a really fun day and meet some like-minded young people in her area.

allhailthebrain · 29/10/2024 20:21

Hi All!
Mine is 16 and had their first NYMT experiences in 2019! Has been very lucky and been cast the last 5 years. I find they keep me on my toes in every possible way - it's NEVER the show I think they would want my kid for that they recall/cast them for!

It's absolutely their happy place, and one of the reasons they are now at drama school (BTec advanced diploma), living away from home. Without NYMT I don't think they'd be where they are now. Fiercely loyal to them and passionate about them. So yes, audition to be booked...

sittingpretty · 31/10/2024 20:01

Biscuitsneeded · 27/10/2024 21:38

@sittingpretty Welcome! You are indeed in the right place.

In essence, both NYMT and BYMT audition across the country to find talented young people to take part in their summer shows. If you get cast in a show you will have at least one (possibly two) residentials for rehearsals, and then several performances of the show at the end. The standard of the productions is excellent for both organisations, and I say this not to intimidate prospective applicants, but to emphasise what a great experience it is for the young people involved.

In addition, both organisations run some courses and workshops for young people who may not wish to do a show, or perhaps need to work on some skills first. How and when these are organised varies between the two organisations. I believe that with BYMT you can just sign up, whereas NYMT holds auditions and uses that process to place the young person on the best kind of course for them. Thirdly, NYMT places some applicants in 'new musical workshops', which give a young cast the opportunity to experience being a part of the creation of a new show, and writers of new UK musicals a chance to see their ideas come to life. The other main difference is that BYMT has a repertoire of its own shows, whereas NYMT offers a mix of established, well-known shows (eg Fame and Carousel, which have been announced for next year), new commissions (Lightning Boy, which was successfully workshopped last summer and has been given the green light for a full production next summer) and occasionally shows that don't get seen much in the UK (in recent years, a stupendous production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Manchester Cathedral, and for the next summer the very first UK production of Tuck Everlasting).

From here on I'm going to talk purely about NYMT, because that's the one I know about. On the website you'll find a list of audition dates and venues. You choose whichever suits you best, and you pay a fee of £45 for a full day audition workshop with professional creatives. These workshops are really fun and friendly, and in my experience the young people come out buzzing. Your young person just needs to prepare a musical theatre song to sing, and take along sheet music - the acting and dance is all done on the day. Don't worry about the dance! Lots of auditionees are not dancers - they just want to see the young people moving and performing and enjoying it. The trained dancers are more likely to end up in the more dance-heavy shows, but previous dance lessons are not required. If your DD loves to sing and act, it's definitely a day she will enjoy. From there she may get offered a course, or she may be invited to a casting weekend session to determine whether she is offered a role in a show or a place in one of the new musical workshop casts, or an advanced skills course. NYMT has a commitment to being inclusive, so yes, 1000 people or maybe more will audition, but everyone who auditions will be offered something. Of course, if what you're offered doesn't suit you, there's no obligation to take it up, but the opportunity is there to be part of the NYMT Company.
There isn't a 'junior program' as such, because all the shows tend to need a range of ages, from 10-23, but I do know that for the courses last summer they split into smaller groups by age group.

The cost will depend on what your DD ends up doing. I'm linking here to the fees page, where you can see what courses, new musical workshops and shows cost. nymt.org.uk/take-part/actors/
There is a bursary scheme for cases of need. Obviously, most of the experiences offered involve a residential, and they all involve the work of brilliant professional creatives, so yes, they do cost, but I know NYMT has actually tried to reduce costs year on year - and if you work them out as a daily rate, and consider that your young person is getting bed and board, excellent pastoral care, tuition from the very best creatives and an experience that they will probably treasure for ever, I actually think it's very reasonable.

I hope that answers some of your questions. If you have more, don't hesitate to ask! I'd definitely encourage your DD to book an audition - it's a wonderful organisation, and if nothing else she will have a really fun day and meet some like-minded young people in her area.

Thank you so much for your fantastic reply. Really useful. We will definitely sign up for the audition and see where we get to. Thanks for taking the time Smile

sunflowerdaisyrose · 02/11/2024 00:13

I've booked my 10 year old onto the audition in London on 26th January, as long as she has a fun day then it will have been worth trying!

Needanadultgapyear · 02/11/2024 06:54

@sittingpretty @Biscuitsneeded has done a great job of explaining NYMT, but slightly inaccurate on BYMT. BYMT also holds audition, but more of them wide spread over the country. There are two types of BYMT projects the shows which are selected by audition and are performed in commercial theatre with tickets open to all. If you don't get cast in a show you are offered a residential project which is workshopping a new show you get to develop your skills, whilst BYMT see whether a show is worth taking further you get to perform the almost finished production to friends and family. BYMT have scholarships for young people who qualify these are funded by the Arts Council, The Olivier Fund and many others,
BYMT is as @Biscuitsneeded says a huge supporter of new writers of musical theatre Babies currently on a the Other Palace was a BYMT production in 2021.

Biscuitsneeded · 02/11/2024 11:56

sunflowerdaisyrose · 02/11/2024 00:13

I've booked my 10 year old onto the audition in London on 26th January, as long as she has a fun day then it will have been worth trying!

Great - I hope she has a really fun time, and good luck to her.

Biscuitsneeded · 02/11/2024 12:07

sittingpretty · 31/10/2024 20:01

Thank you so much for your fantastic reply. Really useful. We will definitely sign up for the audition and see where we get to. Thanks for taking the time Smile

Glad your DD is keen. Good luck to her.

WorkingtopPaytheDanceFees · 03/11/2024 19:31

First timer here - what are the main differences between NYMT and BYMT? Dd (16) has signed up for NYMT but now wondering if she should be trying for both. Any other advice gratefully received.

WorkingtopPaytheDanceFees · 03/11/2024 19:32

Actually don't worry - I've just seen the previous posts - thank you everyone!

Biscuitsneeded · 03/11/2024 19:50

WorkingtopPaytheDanceFees · 03/11/2024 19:32

Actually don't worry - I've just seen the previous posts - thank you everyone!

Glad you've found what you needed. Happy to answer any Qs!

Mcmumager · 05/11/2024 22:42

Does anyone know if NYMT recalls will work the same way this year? If lucky enough to be recalled would normal pattern be recalls either 15/16 feb? Not sure if things are different this year as more things on offer.

Biscuitsneeded · 06/11/2024 17:53

That's a good question! The last scheduled audition looks to be Sun 9th Feb, so possibly the following weekend? Maybe get your DS to email enquiries and ask?! Do let us know know if you find out!

Mcmumager · 19/11/2024 11:09

Does anyone know an approx finish time for the NYMT Xmas concert please?

Comefromaway · 19/11/2024 11:12

If anyone is in or near Manchester over the next couple of months then the Royal Exchange production of Spend Spend Spend has ex NYMT creatives/members involved. Ds says it's looking like a really good show!

Biscuitsneeded · 19/11/2024 18:45

Mcmumager · 19/11/2024 11:09

Does anyone know an approx finish time for the NYMT Xmas concert please?

I'm only guessing, but if it's at 4pm and there are two halves as there were last Christmas, I'd guess 6.30ish?

Mcmumager · 19/11/2024 18:58

Biscuitsneeded · 19/11/2024 18:45

I'm only guessing, but if it's at 4pm and there are two halves as there were last Christmas, I'd guess 6.30ish?

Thank you.

Comefromaway · 28/11/2024 19:13

I’m at the press night of a show Ds has worked on alongside ex & current NYMT people. Hes now working on panto with another ex NYMT cast member.

just as I was about to reflect on the influence NYMT has had on him & countless others I heard of the very sad death of Jeremy Walker, a truly exceptional & caring man.

RIP Jeremy.

Mcmumager · 28/11/2024 20:25

So very sad to see the news today💕

Biscuitsneeded · 28/11/2024 21:08

So very sad. I hope his family know (am sure they do) what a huge difference Jeremy made to so many young people. Thinking of all the NYMT team tonight.

boysmuminherts · 28/12/2024 10:53

Just signed up my 13yo DS for a London audition with NYMT.

doesanybodyhaveamap · 28/12/2024 16:46

Welcome @boysmuminherts !! Is it their first audition??

OP posts:
boysmuminherts · 28/12/2024 17:08

doesanybodyhaveamap · 28/12/2024 16:46

Welcome @boysmuminherts !! Is it their first audition??

Yes!! I've just noticed your username. It's his favourite musical 😄

Biscuitsneeded · 28/12/2024 23:42

@boysmuminherts Welcome to you and your DS. Loads of luck to him! Hope you enjoy hanging out in the virtual waiting room with us parents.

Alakazam8 · 31/12/2024 17:33

I’ll be heading into the waiting room again this year- dd auditioning this coming weekend