Over 5,000 young people aged between 14 – 25 audition for the National Youth Theatre every year and fewer than one in ten are lucky enough to make it through the auditions. This year, the Archer Academy hosted a National Youth Theatre audition at school and 29 year 10 and year 11 students took part. Head of Drama, Miss Rodford was overjoyed when 3 Archer students – Kian M in Year 11 and Bella G and Mouni C both Year 10 found out this week that they had won a place in the company. The Archer students will now be following in the footsteps of a prestigious alumni including: Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Colin Firth, Rosamund Pike, Orlando Bloom, Catherine Tate, Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Derek Jacobi, Timothy Dalton, Matt Lucas, Hugh Bonneville, Matt Smith and Zawe Ashton.
Here is what Archer students, Kian and Bella had to say about their experiences of the audition.
Bella G, year 10
My favourite part of the audition was the warm up games we played because it helped to settle me into the audition. We played a variety of games from grandmother’s footsteps to games about listening to those around us.
The audition went a lot better than I expected, it was a lot more relaxed then I thought it would be. The people who auditioned us were really kind and patient.
I’m excited to get started. There will be so many different things to try. I’m looking forward to being a part of the different plays the NYT put on.
Any advice for students who want to audition next year?
Don’t overthink things. Try to be confident and get stuck in straight away. Learn your monologue well so that you don’t panic and forget it last moment.
Kian, Year 11
I felt a mixture of feelings on the day, from nervousness to excitement. However, I would say that all of my worries were relieved by being around current and old friends who made the day really enjoyable.
I went into the one on one auditions with a flurry of emotions, and I was unsure of how the audition went as I let my nerves get the better of me. However, after a few days of reflection, I was more confident about my performance. Nevertheless, I was still doubtful whether it was strong enough to get in.
What are you most excited about for when you join the NYT Company?
I am ecstatic to be able to learn and work with some of the best in the entertainment industry. Also, I can’t wait to meet new people and gain more acting experience.
Any advice for students who want to audition next year?
I’m not the best at advice, but I would say not to treat the morning workshop as an audition. It is a fantastic situation of being with people that you already know, so if you don’t know the people you are auditioning with use of the morning workshop to make yourself comfortable with everyone. This shows the assessors that you are eager to meet new people and have excellent teamwork skills.
Well done everyone.
