Hello May
Hi Parents/Carers/Company Members,
We hope you are all well and we can't believe it's the Summer Term.
Want to find out what's new and coming up at NGYT? You've come to the right place!
April in Action
Last month NGYT was full of impact and creativity and we can’t believe it’s already the Summer Term.
We are so proud of our groups and companies that performed at their end of term demos in our community venues and The Hat Factory Arts Centre.
In April we also completed filming TRENCHES, our County Lines VR film with Beds VERU, RiVR and a brilliant local team of artists.
Rave New World, Tangled Feet’s latest outdoor spectacle choreographed by our Co-Director Laura featured NGYT members in its community cast & welcomed almost 1000 audience members to Marsh House, Luton.
Our partnership with Tokko continued, further offering secondary schools workshops for boys and young men focused on crime and exploitation. We also began recruitment for two exciting training opportunities with Chalk Line Theatre and The Culture Trust and we ran our Street Dance Company tasters with new Company Directors Nathan and Andrew.
It’s never too late to join us. Click the sign-up button above and be part of NGYT.
Read on to see what’s coming next…
Meet Our New Members
We had yet another incredible turnout for Auditions in 2024 for our NGYT Theatre Company & Meraki Dance Company. Thank you to each and every person who came along & shared their creativity with us.
This month, meet Sophie. Sophie is a member of our Theatre Company and was previously a member of our Central Bedfordshire based Company Be:
“I joined NGYT Theatre Company through their Calling Dunstable programme as a co-producer for the upcoming NGYT show. It’s been so fun working with the theatre company to create some really cool stuff that I can’t wait for everyone to see.”
Strike a Pose
We’re excited to be involved in The Point, Luton’s Fashion and Beauty Weekend over the early May Bank Holiday weekend… You might even see some familiar NGYT faces!
From Friday 2nd to Monday 5th May, come to Central Square for catwalk fashion shows and beauty demos. Each day from 11am to 5pm, enjoy a schedule packed with free events that will leave you inspired and ready for summer.
Highlights include:
Catwalk Shows & Beauty Demos: Discover the latest Spring trends and beauty tips.
Kids Takeover: Exclusive catwalk shows for the little ones on Saturday.
Fashion Finds Tags: Easily local your favourite items featured in the shows in store.
Interactive Selfie Location: Snap fun photos with props and a green screen.
Whether you’re updating your wardrobe, learning new beauty tricks, or just looking for a fun day out, come along. Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and join us at Luton Point for a weekend of fashion, beauty, and fun.
Sign Up For SEN
We are pleased to be continuing our brand new SEN sessions (previously funded by Luton Council and Luton Rising, managed by BLCF via The Luton Citizen's Fund).
Drama, Movement and more in Luton!
Each session runs weekly on Thursday evenings for 30 minutes.
Suitable for Key Stages 1, 2, 3 & 4 at The Luton Irish Forum, LU2
Please complete the sign up form at the bottom of the page and please upload your young person's EHCP if you wish.
Once your form is submitted we will be in touch to book your child's place and send further details.
NGYT Spotlight
Performer, NGYT Team member, Theatre Company and Meraki Dance Company member Grace Clinton took a short break from NGYT in December to film a DoorDash commercial (Canada’s answer to Just Eat) in Prague, choreographed by Ryan Heffington (Sia/Chappell Roan).
Grace played one half of a ‘zombie-like couple battling the flu.’
“There’s so much to love here but DAVID particularly favours the sick couple making their way through the apartment via a series of contemporary dance moves. It can’t have been easy to nail this performance but nail it they do… ” - DAVIDReviews.com.
Congratulations Grace!
Trenches VR Film
Last month, we filmed on location in Luton & Bedfordshire for TRENCHES, our powerful VR film exploring county lines, created in collaboration with Beds VERU, RiVR and our phenomenal local team of artists..
“This piece is for Virtual Reality, we’re switching from 3rd person POV to 1st person POV so you’ll feel like you’re IN the scene as the viewer, you’ll be able to look around the scene whilst the actors are playing. I’m excited to see how it turns out.”- Aaron Fontaine, Director
“To be at the centre of such a vital project about knife crime, county lines and exploitation has been one of the biggest privileges of my life! The care, the passion and attention to detail all bought by the cast and crew has been astounding and inspiring - it will stick with me for a long time!”- Max Elliot, Actor
Watch this space to see more..
It's Festival Season
It’s Festival Season and Taleshakers is back! We’re ready to Revel, Rave and Rhyme at all TOTFest 2025 sites across the UK: Yorkshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Cheshire & Berkshire.
Taleshakers are fun-filled family focused sessions for children aged 0-6 years and their parents and carers.
Our experienced Taleshakers team will take you on a journey that combines storytelling, games and movement. Taleshakers is the perfect playground for little but large imaginations to run wild and free.
If you'd like to book Taleshakers for a festival, family event or party then drop our lead Taleshaker Laura an email at: laura@ngyt.co.uk
Taleshakers caters for the littlest of parties through to the largest of festival big tops; Just tell us what you need and we'll do the rest.
Become a Friend of NGYT
By becoming a Friend of NGYT you can help children and young people of all ages to access arts activity, express themselves, stay creative and stay well.
Friends of NGYT support our work with a monthly donation via Direct Debit or PayPal. There is no fixed amount and we treat all our Friends equally, whatever you are able to give. Your support and advocacy is the most important thing.
You can also make a one off donation to support NGYT’s work with young people.
spotlight: local schools
Following the widespread call to action for education settings to address the themes explored in the new Netflix series Adolescence, we extended the reach of our vital project to engage with local secondary schools in collaboration with TOKKO Youth Hub and in partnership with Luton Targeted Youth Service.
This initiative focused on working with boys and young men to explore the realities of violent crime and exploitation. We offered two free one-hour sessions, providing a safe and creative space for young people to discuss these important issues.
Alumni News
After attending various NGYT groups across 5 years, our Theatre Company Alumnus George has sent us an update:
“I'm currently studying Drama and Film at Anglia Ruskin University. Recently I directed a vampire film from script and filmed a few different projects.
Right now I'm planning and involved in a music video shoot for myself and even have a boxing match coming up.
For the film, I'm going to a studio in London to do it. I'm directing it as well.
I'm not usually into boxing but I saw an event and signed up. I’ve previously dipped my toes into MMA and have been training for that for a couple months now.
When it comes to filmmaking, I'm recording projects for friends. So far I've filmed a short film, a drill music documentary and a basketball game.
I find it fun and different to the academic nature of university”
- George
Team News
NGYT Co-Artistic Director and Writer of NGYT Theatre Company, David has been juggling many projects at NGYT recently and is excited about the progress of Theatre Company’s latest show, premiering in July 2025:
“It's set to be very different in many ways. A lot of time has been spent realising we have this responsibility to challenge, question and present hope in the same story… It's actually been a really revealing and natural process to date. Right now we are staring at this beautiful concoction of voices and characters… formed by societal expectations and ever-evolving identities…that sounds deep right? It's actually really pure and true and a proper throwback to how we made our 1st ever winning show - RIP Ned. I'm buzzing!”
- David
Patron News
NGYT Alumna and Patron Adeyinka Akinrinade shone in the role of Maya in ‘Thanks for Having Me’ Riverside Studios, Hammersmith alongisde Netflix's Kedar Williams-Stirling, writer Keelan Kember and HBO's Nell Tiger-Free.
“Tear Streaming Laughter from start to finish” - Broadway World
“Charming” - The Guardian
“Achingly Human” - What’s On Stage
Some of the NGYT team managed to catch the show during it's run at The Riverside Theatre and Addie we are so proud of you!
Associate News
This month, NGYT Associates Chalk Line Theatre offered aspiring local Directors and a group of young writers the opportunity to develop their skills through a mix of workshops and mentorship. It’s a fantastic chance to gain hands-on experience and professional credits.
The scheme includes shadowing and sessions with Chalk Line Artistic Directors Sam Edmunds and Vikesh Godhwani at The Hat Factory Arts Centre, starting this month.
Participants in the Directorship Programme will also direct a short monologue, duologue or scene in collaboration with the young Writers’ group, with one-to-one mentorship from Chalk Line Theatre.
The projects will culminate in a showcase of their work on:
Saturday 31st May
5pm
The Hat Factory Arts Centre.
FREE Tickets can be booked at the button above.
Sixth Form News
Performing Arts at LSFC present:
The Shoah
A powerful theatrical production honouring the memory of the victims of the Holocaust performed by Year 2 BTEC Acting students.
8th May 2025
7pm
Free Entry
Email boxoffice@lutonsfc.ac.uk for tickets.
Warning:
Sensitive Content. Conversations and scenes featuring antisemitism & racism. Images of genocide, Auschwitz and depictions of physical violence.
Not suitable for small children.
Whats on at The Culture Trust?
Our partners at The Culture Trust host a broad selection of events suitable for families, young people and audiences of all ages and the new What's On Brochure has landed!
Remember to use your NGYT exclusive code "NGYT25" at checkout to enjoy a 25% off discount on selected shows and Theatre events. Please note that this code is not applicable to workshops.
step forward luton
NGYT is proud to be Step Forward Luton Champions.
Luton's exciting new app is now live!
Explore your town like never before and bag local deals and discounts along the way. Check out local foodie spots, shops, attractions, green spaces and stay in the loop with all the events happening across the town.
Young minds matter
“When I joined NGYT I didn't really feel like I was alone anymore" - Dance Co, Theatre Co member.
NGYT continues to support wellbeing in all aspects of our work. We are proud to be an activity provider for Young People's Social Prescription and accept referrals through Active Luton to help support young people's wellbeing.
Click the links below for wellbeing support locally and online:
Luton Youth's Future EmPOWERment (LYFE by Mary Seacole Foundation) is committed to empowering young people, families, and the wider Luton community:
A 10am-10pm chatline for ongoing support
Mediation services with statutory organisations
Workshops
Comprehensive 1-1 guidance in education, employment, and work experience
see you soon
NGYT Family
"My daughter has come on so much in terms of her confidence and anxiety and a massive reason is her attendance with you at NGYT. It’s thanks to your constant encouragement, patience and lovely nature. I always say to my husband that she is going to attend NGYT foreverrrr." - Parent/Carer
"Youth led in the truest sense of the word, literally leading the way and setting the standard for all." - NGYT Alumni
As always, please continue to invite your friends and families to try NGYT for free.
Spread the word about our work across the educational sector.
Tell those working across Luton and the region about our commissionability (is that even a word?)... We love to make performances for community events with social purpose and cultural celebration at the heart.
And don't forget we'd love to share our unique approach with others, supporting the training needs of those looking to develop their approaches to working with young people authentically.
If we haven't met you yet, we can't wait to do so. Reach out! Say Hi!
Remember we are always here if you need us. Take care, stay kind, stay safe and above all things - BE YOU!
David, Laura and The NGYT Team x
