National Youth Theatre announces free auditions for young actors in Manchester - how you can take part

The National Youth Theatre is coming to Manchester and holding free auditions as it searches the country for the next generation of top acting talent. The prestigious arts organisation is hosting a day of auditions in the city in February and there are also opportunities for budding actors to showcase their skills online.

The auditions are taking place for the opportunity to be on the National Youth Theatre’s summer intake courses, which are taking place around the country for the first time in 2023. Here’s what young actors across the city-region need to know about this chance to put themselves in the acting spotlight.

When is the National Youth Theatre auditioning in Manchester and what do applicants need to know?

The National Youth Theatre is holding free auditions in Manchester at Studio 25 on Church Street on Sunday 12 February. Manchester is one of six cities the organisation is going to with its latest search for talent.

Those auditioning must be aged between 14 and 25, or under 30 if they have a learning disability or are neurodiverse. Applicants should prepare a two-minute speech, which could be from a play, a monologue or a film script. Places at the auditions can be booked at the National Youth Theatre website here.

Young people can also audition via the National Youth Theatre Online Hub and backstage interviews are also available online for young people interested in areas such as costume, lighting, scenic construction, sound and stage management. The online backstage interviews take place on 4 March and 12 March.

Those successful in their applications will be able to take part in the National Youth Theatre’s summer intake courses, which this year for the first time is being taken to cities around the country.

Free workshops in partnership with local community groups are taking place in each area to prepare young people to audition, as well as accessible auditions in local non-mainstream schools.

What is the National Youth Theatre?

The National Youth Theatre was established in 1956 as the world’s first youth theatre and engages thousands of young people aged up to 30 across the country.

The charity has a massive roll call of A-list alumni who have gone on to great things in the world of culture including Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rosamund Pike, David Oyelowo, Daniel Day Lewis, Andrea Riseborough, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Ed Sheeran, Colin Firth, Regé-Jean Page and Derek Jacobi.

Those who are successful in their auditions can go on to appear in or take on technical theatre roles on high-profile productions around the UK and in the West End in London. In recent years the company has performed and created work at London Fashion Week, This Bright Land and Latitude festivals, the Olympic and Paralympic team welcome ceremony, and the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.

What has been said about the auditions?

National Youth Theatre alumnus and Coronation Street star Sair Khan said: “I didn’t imagine I’d ever have the opportunity to get involved in something like the National Youth Theatre. Doing that first audition was a really pivotal moment for me. It really helped me take those first steps in believing in myself.”

Artistic director and CEO Paul Roseby said: “Being national means being local and we’re proud to be in seven different arts venues around the country with our summer intake courses for the first time.

“The need to support young talent nationwide is greater than ever and we’re committed to responding to that challenge with this free offer.”