National Youth Theatre

National Youth Theatre
Founded 1956
Founder Michael Croft
Kenneth Spring
Type Registered charity
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 of Great Britain 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 actors such as Daniel Craig, Daniel Day-Lewis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, Colin Firth, Derek Jacobi, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane, Helen Mirren, Rosamund Pike, and Kate Winslet, as well as musicians such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Ed Sheeran (see here for a full list).[3]

Every year, the National Youth Theatre holds acting auditions and technical theatre interviews around the United Kingdom; on average, it receives over 5000 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 during school holidays. Their 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. The first audiences included actors Richard Burton and Sir Ralph Richardson, with Richardson agreeing to become the first President of what Croft called The Youth Theatre. The organisation evolved rapidly throughout the United Kingdom, involving young people on a national basis.

Croft died in 1986 and was succeeded by Edward Wilson as Director. Building on Croft's 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. 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, the National Youth Theatre moved administrative offices from Holloway Road to the Woolyard on Bermondsey Street. In January 2012, Roseby became CEO while retaining his position as Artistic Director.

In 2012 the company suffered 'major issues' with its finances and was bailed out with £680,000 from Arts Council England.[11]

Traditionally, the National Youth Theatre has done most of its work with 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.[12][13][14] In summer 2012, the National Youth Theatre created and performed the Welcome Ceremonies for the London Olympics and Paralympics teams, with 200 members welcoming 20,000 athletes to Athletes' Village with 200 performances.[15]

See also

References

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