The National Youth Theatre, founded in 1956, has been running summer schools for over 60 years. Talented young people have come together every year to learn and make theatre, and many of them, including Helen Mirren, Gareth Pugh and Krishman Guru-Murphy have gone on into professional work. So, the organisation knows a thing or two about how to make summer schools work year after year; and a major part of that is ensuring that the organisation evolves and responds.
Gone are the days of £38 auditions and exclusive London-focus, which meant expensive travel for many. ‘We no longer charge audition fees’ says Paul Roseby OBE, NYT artistic director and CEO. ‘Instead, we launched our Hub last year.’
NYT Hub is a subscription service. For just two pounds a month, members can access digital skills workshops, creative leadership sessions and online resources. ‘And, crucially, anyone who is signed up to NYT Hub can audition for summer and other courses without further charge’ adds Roseby, pointing out that this also marks a 48% reduction in the membership fees paid by NYT members in 2019. ‘That two pounds a month, or £24 a year, is really just an administration cost. There's an increased awareness of, and need for, value for money among today's young people. And we have to make sure they get it.’
That is why the workshops on offer for Hub members – some recorded and some live – are top notch. Presenters include Daisy Edgar-Jones, Rosamund Pike and James Graham. ‘We have provided over 10 million experiences online in the last twelve months’ Roseby tells me with pride.
Who can join?
NYT Hub is available to all young people aged 11-26, with the 14-25 age group then being eligible to audition for a summer school acting place or to interview for a backstage place.
‘Actually, the pandemic has helped with all this’ says Roseby, grinning at the irony. ‘Yes, we have all got digital fatigue and are longing to be back in the same room. But Covid has forced us to find ways of making a really valuable, equitable offer in a digital way and to realise that we can use it to develop completely open access. And that's really worthwhile.’
The summer schools, of course, won't be virtual. This year, for the first time, NYT is partnering with Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton on various projects, and that is where its 2021 acting summer schools will be based. ‘The Royal and Derngate is a really fine organisation and there is university campus accommodation next door so it should work well. I'm feeling very optimistic about the future’ says Roseby.
Lessening the skills shortage
Backstage theatre is, of course, a major strand in NYT's work. There is a plethora of worthwhile off-stage jobs in the industry and too few people training for them, with many young people not being given informed careers advice about these opportunities. The NYT is working hard to lessen that skills shortage and knowledge gap. ‘We have partnered with Backstage Niche and its founder Sylvia Darkwa-Ohemeng’ explains Roseby adding that two new NYT trustees are lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun and sound designer Nicola T Chang.
This year's backstage theatre summer schools will, for the first time, be based at Rose Bruford College in Sidcup – a semi rural setting near the Kent/London border with a good on-site theatre, student accommodation and fast connections into central London.
Roseby admits that, overall, applications have been about 20 per cent lower than usual so far this year, presumably because of pandemic anxiety and uncertainty. ‘We have a total of 800 places across the various summer schools. We usually get around 5000 applications for those. This year it's been only around 4000.’
What about the fees?
The emphasis is on the widest possible inclusivity. ‘We have more bursaries than ever’ says Roseby. ‘And automatic fee-waivers are available for young people who are in receipt of free school meals, in care, have left care, are single parents or are seeking asylum.’
Years ago, NYT was generally seen as elitist – in an arguably positive way. Like Oxford and Cambridge universities, it sought out the best and developed them. But, as we all know, the best don't just come from families and schools that know the ropes. And, in the past, the ‘it's-not-for-us’ notion may have deterred many talented young people from applying. The young people NYT can work with are everywhere in every sort of background. They must be encouraged to join NYT Hub and then, maybe, apply for a summer school where many a career has been launched.
‘And at present’ says Roseby, ‘Looking at the Government's so-called roadmap we're bang on the money for dates. If restrictions lift on 21 June as planned, then our summer schools will be able to run – as will many of our other activities such as the Rep Company opening at Royal and Derngate in June and Playing Up at our London headquarters in July. Of course, we'll obey social distancing rules as required. We have even appointed Covid monitors!’
For more information, or to get involved, visit www.nyt.org.uk/hub
To apply for a bursary go to www.nyt.org.uk/accessibility-and-bursaries