NYMT / BYMT 2025

[doesanybodyhaveamap]

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

Thanks @Biscuitsneeded. No snow yet, but heavy snow forecast for the next 5 hours. My app says it's snowing heavily outside now, so I'm hoping it remains that accurate 😂 I've got various live traffic cameras set up on my phone so I can check the route in the morning 😬 Decided to drive rather than get the train; I'm more likely to get to Manchester than Buxton where I'd booked tickets from...

The weather forecast I just looked at looks like a mixture of snow, sleet and rain for Manchester. Let's hope the rain washes away any snow that tries to settle! Good luck with the drive - let us know when you make it there...

@Biscuitsneeded thank you for the info re BYMT and the encouragement for NYMT. Lets see what happens

@Biscuitsneeded bit of light sleet in Manchester but nothing settling.

@Truetoself my ds did 2 shows with BYMT. The first was 2021 so post Covid. Auditions online then a 3 week residential which he loved. They cast the parts after a couple of days which was lovely as they got a chance to play different roles.

second time he did about 4 days rehearsal may hols after which they cast the parts pre the summer residential/show.

Other shows can be shorter 2 weeks with casting done in the first few days.

Just wondering whether it's worth applying. My DD is not free for all the dates for a couple of the productions in the summer, but can make some of the productions with all the dates... Is that a no before we even start? Feb and Easter are no problem, it's just one week in the summer that's already set.

It’s looking like we are snowed in here at our end, hopefully we can change our date!!!

Just sent email asking for advice about how to rearrange audition. Really don’t think we would get there….

@Mcmumager thank you for the information

@RattyMole I'd say it's still worth applying. Be clear on your application which dates you are not available, and see what happens.

Oh no! Sorry to hear that. Hopefully it will be OK to change to another date - is there another venue you could get to? There's a dusting of snow here but it's going to warm up considerably and melt quickly. Is it worth attempting in case it all melts quickly where you are, or can you literally not get out of your own road?

How's it looking this morning? Are you going to attempt the drive? Good luck to you, and good luck to DS when he gets there!

Yes, we're en route, taking it slowly. The train was cancelled so glad DH offered to drive!

Take care out there everyone, and all the best to those of you who can make it through the snow today!

Can’t get out of own rd and trains cancelled even if I could so no way really to safely get there.

Oh no! They will have a contingency in place for this I’m sure. You won’t be alone! Stay safe and warm. If the trains are cancelled the creatives may not make it either…..

Even dd’s local theatre school closed today due to dangerous weather conditions 😞
good luck to everyone who is going to Manchester- have a lovely time and stay safe out there!

Oh dear! I hope everyone stays safe and those who make it have a good day. I’m sure there will be a way round it for those who are stuck.

DS checked in and raring to go, very much looking forward to his day! Roads not too bad in the end, just very slushy. Good luck today everyone!

So glad you made it!

Thanks for the thread, OP, it's great to hear from people who have done this before. DD is booked into a London audition next Sunday. I have a few Qs and would appreciate thoughts! I have looked all through their website and am following them on Instagram but it's all still quite confusing!

Any idea how many audition and how many get a show? A PP thought thousands audition which would make sense given how many audition dates there are. Then there's four main productions, plus the new musicals workshops which look less full-on, plus Crescendo which looks like a smaller thing too. So how many places are there in all of those?

Also a bit confused about the new musicals workshops. In the hierarchy, do they put the best young people through to be in a production, then second best to the new musicals workshops, then everyone else gets invited to do a skills course and they choose which type of course? And it sounds like there are different courses for different levels - and for different disciplines (ie acting, singing, dancing)? Or do the courses cover all three?

DD is 13 (Y9) and loves musicals and performing, and does two musical theatre classes at our local performing arts school, but she's not particularly thinking of drama school, she's at a mainstream secondary school not a performing arts school. She's pretty musical (good singer, plays violin and viola) but only dances through her performing arts school classe, doesn't do specific dance classes. Are the people who get the NYMT shows way more into it all? Eg have agents, are taking it all more seriously as a career, go to specialist schools, do paid stuff etc?

@Wigeon welcome!!

Your DD sounds much like mine was at that age- they are also a musician and have been involved with NYMT as both a musician and a performer since 2020. Defo not a hardcore dancer, but can move. Good vocally and a nice little actor. Over the years they have had a range of outcomes, from no recall at all, to being cast in full productions.

Honestly, I don't think there is a true hierarchy. NYMT cast specific roles across their productions and new musical workshops. You will find extremely experienced, mega talented almost professionals in all of their offerings. You will also find newbies making their NYMT debuts right across the board. Some are true triple (or even quadruple) threats. Others are strong in one or two disciplines. So don't get fixed on some experiences being 'better' or more prestigious than others, it really doesn't seem to work that way. Six seasons in, my DC will be delighted with being offered anything at all and snapping up the opportunity to spend another year with their NYMT family.

Has your DD considered also auditioning as a musician??

Also, in terms of numbers, usually somewhere around 1500 apply for a couple of hundred places, but this year there are lots more opportunities as they've expanded the programme. They are saying everyone who auditions will get some kind of offer, those not cast will be offered skills courses tailored to their level.

They just posted a lovely little video made yesterday which captures the audition day quite nicely.

Those who know us might spot my DC in the dance section 😂

www.instagram.com/reel/DEcOvu1inHD/?igsh=c3NvbmJsc3p2bmF5

Thanks so much @doesanybodyhaveamap ! That's all really good to know.

She really wants to sing and act (and dance) - she doesn't want to try for musician. I think she would be jealous of all the actors! Also not sure if she's good enough - she's working towards grade 6 at the moment which is decent but obviously not stellar. Although she does have a lot of musicality which I am guessing is a big asset in this context. She also just feels much more confident and happy with her singing compared to her violin/viola, not sure why.

Also a bit confused about the new musicals workshops. In the hierarchy, do they put the best young people through to be in a production, then second best to the new musicals workshops

No, they cast for the show. Recalls are for specific roles, if you are perfect for a part in a new musical workshop you will get that. If you have had a role in a west end show but don’t suit the casting type of this years shows then you may not be cast.

the skills workshops are fairly new so can’t comment on that.

the trained dancers tend to get specific dancy shows such as Chess (where the ensemble did ballet based routines) or Kiss Me Kate. The singer/actors will get different types of roles/shows.