Three students have successfully gained a place to the prestigious National Youth Theatre, where they will attend a drama summer school and have access to casting calls, auditions and agents.
The popular schools programme has around 6000 applicants each year and only 700 places for 14-19 year olds across the UK.
Twenty students from the academy auditioned for a place back in January, with students receiving their results this week via email. Students Layton Irving (Year 12), Sophie Hoyle (Year 11) and Eden Gray (Year 10) were all successful in gaining membership. Isla Lockie (Year 12) has gained a place on the reserve list and she will find out on the 1st of June if she has been successful.
As part of the audition process students participated in a three hour workshop with two professional actors –Simon Lennon and Rebecca Smith, before engaging in a 1-1 audition where they had to perform a monologue of their choice.
The successful applicants spoke about the experience:
Eden said, “We had to perform a monologue as part of the audition process. I performed one from After Juliet by Sharman Macdonald, the two actors gave me some pointers on how to deliver it a different way and it went really well. I am really excited about taking part in the summer school in Manchester, I would love to make some contacts and let everyone see what I can do! I want to get into acting in the future and have already done some TV work including Waterloo Road.”
Sophie said: “I really enjoyed the whole experience. The professional actors were really nice and made us all feel comfortable. I love dance and performing arts and would like to study this at university in the future, so the summer school will be an invaluable experience for me. I felt relieved when I got the email saying I had a place as it’s been a long wait, I couldn’t wait to tell my Mum and Dad.”
Layton commented: “The workshop was class! The audition process was nerve wracking but I settled into it, I tried my hardest and it paid off in the end. I’ve been hooked on the idea of getting into the National Youth Theatre since my teacher Mrs Jackson told me about it, and how it’s a good way to make industry contacts and get auditions. I auditioned last year and didn’t get a place so my perseverance has paid off. I hope to learn from others at the summer school and better my own acting style as well as making some new friends and having some fun!”
Performing arts teacher, Debs Jackson added: “This is the third year we have participated in the schools’ programme and we always find it a worthwhile experience for the students. I am very proud of all of the students who auditioned this year and delighted for those who have been offered a place, in particular those who auditioned last year and were unsuccessful. They have shown resilience and perseverance to follow their passion and everyone at the academy is thrilled for them.”
