Four Performing Arts Students Accepted into Prestigious National Youth Theatre
We’re thrilled to celebrate the success of four talented Level 3 Performing Arts students who have secured coveted places with the National Youth Theatre (NYT), a prestigious UK organisation dedicated to nurturing young creative talent.
Madison Couldwell, Lucia Harrison, Tom Hughes and Kaydie Knapton impressed judges through a rigorous two-stage application process, showcasing their acting and creative skills to earn membership in this highly competitive national programme.
Each year, over 6,000 young people aged 11–25 apply to NYT’s acting and technical programmes, with only around 500 applicants gaining membership. Becoming part of this respected institution is widely seen as a launchpad into the professional acting world, with NYT alumni including household names such as Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Orlando Bloom.
The opportunity to apply for membership was provided by Performing Arts tutor, Gemma Nixon who organised for NYT to conduct an on-site workshop and auditions. With limited places available, students earned their place at the workshop by demonstrating their acting skills to Matt Woodhead, Co-Director at LUNG.
Matt stated: “I was privileged to get a sneak peak of the monologues the students performed for their audition and I was blown away by the talent in the room. Congratulations to those who've secured a place - you are doing Barnsley proud!”
Ste Johnson from National Youth Theatre visited Barnsley College earlier in the year to deliver the workshop and host individual auditions. The four successful students have now been invited to take part in a two-week summer acting course, where they will officially become NYT members.
As members, they will gain access to skills workshops, industry-led masterclasses and exclusive audition opportunities for theatre, film and television productions.
Performing Arts student, Madison Couldwell spoke about being selected:
“It's a great opportunity and has really boosted my confidence. I’m really looking forward to doing the course and developing my acting skills. NYT also runs courses on devising and improvisation, which are so important for live theatre.”
Gemma Nixon, Performing Arts tutor shared her pride in the students’ achievement:
“The students had the exciting opportunity to audition for the National Youth Theatre – it was a fantastic way for them to experience working with an external director.
It’s an incredible achievement that four students were successful. We are extremely proud of the dedication and talent they’ve shown, and we’re excited to see what they go on to accomplish.”
Interested in studying Performing Arts at Barnsley College? Find out more about our courses.
