As the National Youth Theatre’s REP Company of 18 young people aged 18-25 prepare to take to the stage this month in Twelfth Night, its CEO and Artistic Director has called for greater support for alternative routes into the industry.
Paul Roseby, CEO and Artistic Director of the NYT said: “’The culture of rising fees and debt reminds me of one of the critical reasons we created this vital free alternative route for young talent, now in its 12th year. In making this free opportunity a mainstay of our programme we’ve had to make hard choices, but when you see the talent coming through who would otherwise be denied access, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s worth it. The value of our global UK storytelling talent is rightly celebrated, but we need more corporate support from the creative industries and beyond to maintain opportunities like these.
“For many of our participants, other routes were simply not financially viable and with the closure of so many other opportunities for young creatives, we need to protect financially viable routes for young talent to learn in front of an audience like the NYT REP.
“This week the NYT released an impact report outlining the impact the REP and its wider work has had on the creative industries and wider society, available at www.nyt.org.uk/impactreport.
“The NYT REP Company was set up in response to the tuition fee rise in 2012. It has remained a free opportunity during its 12 years, reaching over 180 young creatives, who have saved £1.6m in fees.”
Now in its 12 year, the National Youth Theatre’s Rep company has collectively engaged 170 performers, 8 emerging directors and over 50 young backstage creatives for free since 2012. Performing members would have paid over £1.5m in fees to train for the equivalent time at a drama school.
Graduates from the NYT REP company include Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who appeared this year as Juliet in the West End opposite Tom Holland, double Scottish BAFTA winner Lauren Lyle (Karen Pirie) and BAFTA nominated Slow Horses star Sope Dirisu. This year’s mentors on the scheme include Sherwood’s Ria Zmitrowicz who found her route into the industry via the NYT’s free Playing Up social inclusion course, and The Gentleman star Dan Ings who gained his first agent through his work as a young performer with the NYT.
The NYT REP Company was launched in 2012 as a free alternative to formal training in direct response to the tripling of tuition fees to £9,000 a year. Since then the REP has become a vital alternative route, especially for those who have already attended university and are looking to enter the industry plus those who wish to avoid large student debts before entering an uncertain career landscape.
This year, the REP will present two showcase productions, The War of the Worlds written by Isley Lynn which took place last month at Wilton’s Music Hall and Twelfth Night in a new adaptation by Ellen McDougall at the Workshop Theatre at the NYT’s North London headquarters beginning 29 Nov – 18 Dec.
The 2024 NYT REP Company are: Selorm Adonu, Stella Blakeley, Emily Casey, Talitha Christina, Luc de Freitas, Megan Keaveny, Tyler Kinghorn, Holly Masters, Laura Masters, David Olaniregun, Edward Oulton, Freya Catherine Purdie, Daniel Regan, Dominic Semwanga, Cathy Sole, Ruari Spooner, Ruby Ward and Alfie Wickham.
They are mentored by the following industry professionals: Isabel Adomakoh Young, Michelle Austin, Johnny Capps, Raymond Fearon, Alice Feetham, Henry Gilbert, Rosa Hesmondhalgh, John Hollingworth, Kane Husbands, Daniel Ings, Kate Kennedy, Darcia Martin, Fabian McCallum, Hannah Morrish Amanda Wilkin, Michael Wynne, Ashley Zhangazha and Ria Zmitrowicz.
Tickets for Twelfth Night are on sale now at www.nyt.org.uk/whats-on.
Sounds and Stage
