Performing with The National Youth Music Theatre

The National Youth Music Theatre’s mission is to offer exceptional opportunities in pre-professional, musical theatre training for talented young people of all backgrounds aged 10 to 23 years, through skills workshops and residential courses led by industry professionals

Every year in January & February NYMT hold national auditions for up to four productions. During the audition process, I went to Cambridge where I completed my first audition day. They also audition in 11 other venues around England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. In preparation for my audition I had to learn a musical theatre song of my own choice to perform, the rest you learn on the day. (Usually a dance routine and a script.)

Shortly after this I received an email saying that they would like to see me again for the recalls in London.

“THE NYMT IS THE BEST YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE IN THE WORLD”
Andrew Lloyd Webber

For this audition I had to learn a dance, 3 songs and various scripts. Four days after the recalls I was amazingly lucky to receive an email saying they would like to offer me a role in a musical called Legend Trippers, to be directed by Kate Golledge and performed at The Other Place in London this summer. I truly couldn’t believe it because people like Sheridan Smith, Idris Elba, and Lily James started with NYMT!

The preparation for the show involves spending a week at Easter and again in the summer holidays at Sevonoaks school rehearsing.

The show was an incredible experience and a taster of a potential career for me!

I would like to thank all the teachers at Hazelwood for providing me with the best possible dance training and I feel they have helped me hugely to build my confidence on stage.

Ruby Decent (14)