The National Youth Theatre has announced dates for its biggest ever round of free nationwide auditions​ across the UK, with Midlands auditions taking place at Birmingham BOA Stage and Screen Academy on the 10 February.

Other UK-wide locations include Belfast, Bristol, Exeter, Glasgow, London, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Perth, Poole, Sheffield and Wales (exact location is yet to be finalised).

The auditions are open to all young people aged 14 to 25 and disabled and neurodivergent young people up to the age of 30. NYT Auditions offer a relaxed audition environment where participants can get a sense of what it's like to be part of the NYT community and what courses are best suited to them.

Auditionees will also have the chance to ask questions and meet like minded creatives from across their region.

Young people can also send a video audition online from wherever they are based in the UK. To apply via the digital auditions route, auditionees simply need to record a video of themselves  performing a monologue and answering a series of questions listed on the NYT website nyt.org.uk/auditions/digital. Over 50 schools will also be participating in school auditions across the nation.

Taking place for the first time this year, an Audition Choice Award will see two young people from each location selected to receive a free course of study with the NYT and free accommodation on over 18 courses where accommodation is offered during their learning time. There will also be two recipients selected from online auditionees and a school with stand out talent will also be recognised.

Paul Roseby OBE, CEO & Artistic Director of National Youth Theatre said; “Start your 2025 story with a free National Youth Theatre audition. We're offering free auditions at more locations than ever before this year. At every location our new Audition Choice Award will offer a completely free place to a stand out auditionee.  In addition to our already extensive free offer, we’re adding this extra element to recognise outstanding talent at each of our audition days around the UK. We're also auditioning in more than 50 schools and young people anywhere in the UK can audition via video, making it our most accessible audition round ever.”

Established in 1956 as the world’s first youth theatre, NYT produces ambitious theatrical productions in local communities, on leading global stages and in unusual spaces across the UK and beyond.

National Youth Theatre is a creative home for young storytelling talent. Inclusion is at NYT’s heart and its members come from a wide range of backgrounds and all around the UK. Global stars who started their journey with the charity include Ed Sheeran, Daniel Craig, Helen Mirren, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rosamund Pike, Adeel Akhtar, Florence Pugh,  Rege Jean-Page,  Olly Alexander, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Zawe Ashton, Paapa Essiedu and many more. 

For further information and to book, visit nyt.org.uk/auditions