National Youth Theatre

National Youth Theatre
Founded 1956
Founder Michael Croft
Kenneth Spring
Type Registered charity and company limited by guarantee
Registration no. 306075
Headquarters Holloway, London, England
Key people
 Paul Roseby
(CEO, Artistic Director)
Slogan "Discovering Epic Talent"
Website www.nyt.org.uk

The National Youth Theatre is a registered charity in London. It is committed to the development of young people through the medium of creative arts, and aims to use theatre to aid in this objective.[1] It was founded in 1956 as the world's first youth theatre[2] and has built a reputation as a breeding ground for renowned British actors such as Daniel Craig, Daniel Day-Lewis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Colin Firth, Derek Jacobi, Ben Kingsley, Helen Mirren, and Rosamund Pike, as well as singers such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ed Sheeran (for a full list of notable alumni, see here).[3]

Every year, the National Youth Theatre holds acting auditions and technical theatre interviews around the United Kingdom; on average, it receives over 4,500 applicants. Currently, around 500 places are offered on summer intake acting and technical courses (in costume, lighting and sound, scenery and prop making, and stage management), which offer participants membership of the National Youth Theatre upon completion.[4] Members are then eligible to audition for the company's productions, which are staged in London's West End, around the UK, and internationally.[5]

Members staged the Olympic and Paralympic Team Welcome Ceremonies at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[6] In 2013, the National Youth Theatre raised their age limit to 25 and introduced a new six-week summer course called Epic Stages to cater for performance and production talent in their new upper age group of 18–25.[7] In summer 2014, members staged the Village Ceremonies at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.[8]

History

The National Youth Theatre in Holloway, London

The National Youth Theatre was founded in 1956 by Michael Croft, aided by Kenneth Spring.[9] Croft had been responsible for producing a number of school plays at Alleyn's Boys' School; following his departure, he was approached by a number of pupils from the school to continue working together on productions in school holidays. The first production of Henry V created something of a stir. At the time, it was unusual for young actors to be performing Shakespeare, and this innovative venture attracted the attention of a curious public. Among the first audiences were Richard Burton and Sir Ralph Richardson, who had agreed to become the first President of what Croft called The Youth Theatre. The organisation evolved rapidly throughout the UK involving young people on a national basis.

Croft died in 1986 and was succeeded by Edward Wilson as Director. Building on Croft's successful vision, Wilson took the company forward into new territory, increasing its range of activities and reinforcing its approach to technical production values. Wilson also recognised the opportunity to extend the organisation to more disadvantaged young people, and started the first Outreach department in 1989, working initially with young offenders and gradually widening the opportunities to other socially excluded groups. Wilson also secured the organisation's current headquarters in north London, which now houses all of its production facilities, including rehearsal rooms, scenery and costume workshops, sound studios, photographic dark rooms, and administration offices.

Wilson left the company in 2004 when Sid Higgins (Executive Director), John Hoggarth (Artistic Director), and Paul Roseby (Artistic Director) took over. Since then, they have built on the legacy inherited from Croft and Wilson, and the organisation has continued to expand its opportunities to young people from a more diverse background through a wider range of theatrical projects and collaborations. Hoggarth stepped down in 2007 and Roseby continues as the organisation's Artistic Director.[10] In 2010, National Youth Theatre moved administrative offices from Holloway Road to the Woolyard on Bermondsey Street. In January 2012, Roseby was appointed as Artistic Director and CEO.

Productions

Traditionally, National Youth Theatre have done most of their work with their members in the summer months, but this is changing more and more. Creative events and performances take place throughout the year, courses take place in the Easter holidays, and the company continues to expand its work with young people from all areas of the community.

2009

The theme of National Youth Theatre's 2009 season was "first timers",[11] which included the following productions:

National Youth Theatre's 2009 intake members performed a 'Stadium Arts' show outside the Laban Dance Centre in Deptford, London. The performances lasted approximately 25 minutes and consisted of a combination of all the course cohorts work to create an ensemble physical theatre performance.

2010

The theme of National Youth Theatre's 2010 season was "the five elements",[17] which included the following productions:

2010's intake members again performed their "stadium arts" presentations at the Laban Centre. The theme this year was "the foreigner".[24]

2011

The theme of National Youth Theatre's 2011 season was "the F word: fear, faith, and fundamentalism",[25] which included the following productions:

National Youth Theatre's 2011 intake members performed at the Watch This Space Festival outside the National Theatre. This was the first time the "stadium arts" course's work was open to the public. The theme was "welcoming the world".[30]

2012

In summer 2012, National Youth Theatre created and performed the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Team Welcome Ceremonies, with 200 of its young members welcoming 20,000 Olympians and Paralympians to the Athletes' Village in the Olympic Park with 200 performances.[31]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nyt.org.uk
  2. ↑ "Time to apply to National Youth Theatre". 3 December 2009.
  3. ↑ Whitney, Hilary (17 Jul 2006). "It's a stage they've all been through". London: Daily Telegraph.
  4. ↑ "Matt Lucas urges future stars to join youth theatre that inspired him". Evening Standard. 23 December 2009.
  5. ↑ "Bridging different worlds for National Youth Theatre". Metro. 11 August 2008.
  6. ↑ "'Two weeks that could change your lives': Team GB athletes given carnival welcome to the Olympic Village". Daily Mirror. 24 July 2012.
  7. ↑ http://www.thestage.co.uk/columns/education-training/2013/02/a-couple-of-new-courses/
  8. ↑ http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2014/01/national-youth-theatre-perform-glasgow-commonwealth-games-ceremonies/
  9. ↑ Archived September 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ drawn from www.nyt.org.uk
  11. ↑ "2009 Season: First Timers". Ideastap.com. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  12. ↑ "When your bum looks big in this.. – Theatre". Bexley Times. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  13. ↑ Michael Coveney (2009-08-31). "Foot / Mouth, Soho Theatre, London – Reviews – Theatre & Dance". The Independent. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  14. ↑ Maddy Costa (2009-08-21). "Eye/Balls | Theatre review | Stage". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  15. ↑ Garner, Richard (2009-06-30). "National Youth Theatre gives youngsters a break – Education News – Education". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  16. ↑ Lyn Gardner (2009-09-10). "Skunk | Theatre review | Stage". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  17. ↑ "National Youth Theatre of Great Britain Closes LIVING THE DREAM 7/30". 30 July 2010.
  18. ↑ "National Youth Theatre of Great Britain Announces LIVING THE DREAM et al for 2010 Season". Westend.broadwayworld.com. 2010-05-25. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  19. ↑ "Ghost Office – National Youth Theatre – Waterfront on Friday and Saturday | Brierley Hill Blog". Brierleyhill.org. 2010-08-09. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  20. ↑ 19 August 2010 Written by Jake Orr (2010-08-19). "Review: S'Warm, National Youth Theatre | A Younger Theatre". Ayoungertheatre.com. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  21. ↑ "Casino 52 Launches!". Ideastap.com. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  22. ↑ 07 September 2010 Written by Jake Orr (2010-09-07). "Review: Relish, National Youth Theatre | A Younger Theatre". Ayoungertheatre.com. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  23. ↑ "Stars Over Kabul". Ideastap.com. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  24. ↑ from IdeasTap Plus 2 years ago (2010-11-05). "National Youth Theatre 2010 Showreel on Vimeo". Vimeo.com. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  25. ↑ "NYT at The Old Vic Tunnels". Ideastap.com. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  26. ↑ "BBC News – National Youth Theatre brings 'rage' to London stage". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  27. ↑ Henry Hitchings (2011-08-31). "Orpheus and Eurydice, Old Vic Tunnels – review – Theatre & Dance – Arts – London Evening Standard". Thisislondon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  28. ↑ Youngs, Ian (2011-09-02). "BBC News – Sheffield housing estate made star of theatre show". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  29. ↑ "Events: Ghost Office, Glasgow". IdeasTap. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  30. ↑ http://vimeo.com/33228021
  31. ↑ http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/team-gb-athletes-given-carnival-1163511
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