Hello October
Hi Parents/Carers/Company Members,
We hope you are all well!
Want to find out what's new and coming up at NGYT? You've come to the right place!
Remember September?
Wow, September flew by and we cant believe we are half way through this half term already!
Last month saw the release of our NGYT Highlights from 2023-24, which you can watch in full here.
We also launched our first monthly Taleshakers sessions at The Hat Factory Arts Centre in Luton, our six-week FREE SEN Expressive Arts Sessions, and Meraki Dance Company performed at the 'Your Moves' MÓTUS Dance Festival in Centre MK!
We've got lots more coming up, and we can't wait to share it with you!
Want to join us this month? It's never too late to sign up for NGYT.
Go to our Sign-Up page by clicking the button above.
Read on to find out what's new and upcoming at NGYT….
Audition dates announced!
We will be holding auditions for new members to join our Meraki Dance Company and NGYT Theatre Company next month:
Meraki Dance Company Auditions will be held on:
- Monday, 4th November 2024
- Monday, 11th November 2024
7:30pm-9:30pm at The Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton.
NGYT Theatre Company Auditions will be held on:
- Tuesday, 5th November 2024
- Tuesday, 12th November 2024
7:30pm-9:30pm at The Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton.
To sign up, please complete a form at www.ngyt.co.uk/signup, and we will be in touch to book your preferred date.
Meraki Dance Company and NGYT Theatre Company are both suitable for young people aged 14-25 who love to dance and act, are currently studying dance and/or theatre, as well as dance and theatre graduates, semi-professional, and professional actors and dancers.
Both companies meet for 2 hours a week (Meraki Dance Company on Mondays and Theatre Company on Tuesdays), developing and devising company repertoire, improvising, and developing material and ideas for their own original work or commissioned pieces.
Auditions are relaxed workshops and usually consist of technique, fun ensemble games, creative tasks, and performing existing NGYT repertoire from past shows.
Scholarship places are available.
If you are aged 14-25 or know a young person who is, please complete a sign-up form to register your interest and attend a free 'Take a Look Session' ahead of auditions.
'Take a Look' sessions allow young people to take part in a typical company session to get a real feel for what it’s like to be part of our companies before auditioning.
What audiences say:
“Everything theatre and dance should be”
“Powerful and gripping”
“Spectacular and Immersive”
“Captivating”
“It really knocks you back from the beginning and they were so so tight together”
“Moving, comforting and full of hope”
“I felt seen and heard”
“Powerful and True”
“Amazed by the sheer talent”
Monthly Taleshakers are here!
We're so excited to bring Monthly Taleshakers to The Hat Factory Arts Centre!
Join us once a month from October to December for fun-filled, family-focused sessions for children aged 0-6 years, along with their parents and carers.
Our experienced Taleshakers team will take you on a 45-minute journey combining storytelling, games, and movement.
Taleshakers is the perfect playground for little, yet large imaginations to run wild and free.
Book your tickets now by visiting the link below.
Sign Up For SEN
We are pleased to have launched our brand new SEN sessions funded by Luton Council and Luton Rising, managed by BLCF via The Luton Citizen's Fund.
There's just 3 FREE weeks left of this half term and we'd love to welcome you.
Drama, Movement and More!
FREE in Luton
Each session will run weekly for 30 minutes.
Suitable for Key Stages 1, 2, 3 & 4.
More info can be found at the link below. Please complete the sign up form at the bottom of the page and please upload your young person's EHCP if you wish.
NGYT Spotlight
Art is a member of our Meraki Dance Company and Theatre Company and is taking part in The Samaritans’ Dawn Walk in October:
"I’m taking on Dawn Walk this October by walking 5K at sunrise to help make sure there’s someone there for anyone who needs someone. This year, it's not just a walk; it's a celebration of World Mental Health Day, in solidarity with those struggling to cope."
Calling Dunstable!
We Need You!
Calling Dunstable is a new initiative that supports local performing arts in the Dunstable Community. We are seeking dancers, actors, performance troupes, singers, bands, orchestras, choirs, folk groups, producers, DJs, poets, rappers, magicians, circus artists, visual artists, digital artists, comics, puppeteers.... the list goes on and on.
Alongside BBB Group, NGYT will support Dunstable’s creative community, helping them develop their artistry and share their talents with local audiences.
"We are proud to work with Dunstable Town Council and BBB Group Ltd on this vital Arts project; one of discovery, development and showcasing creatives from across Dunstable’s diverse communities. As organisations we take huge pride in supporting artists (who may not see themselves in this way) to recognise and place value in their talents, stories and voices.”
Collaboration with Beds VERU
If you remember, we collaborated back in 2022 with our partners Bedfordshire VERU (Violence Exploitation and Reduction Unit) to create and tour our vital County Lines theatre piece 'Out There'.
Watch this space for announcements as we are working behind the scenes on another urgent and vital project.
Community Spotlight:
Luton Schools
If you work in an education provision who wants to increase their arts or creative learning and participation we are here to help.
NGYT is an Artsmark Partner, an Arts Award Supporter and we work with over 29 local education provisions locally.
Artsmark is the creative quality standard for schools and education settings, awarded by Arts Council England, recognising their commitment to high quality arts and cultural education.
NGYT is proud to be supporting schools and education settings on their Artsmark journey, inspiring children and young people to create, experience, and participate in great arts and culture.
NGYT offer a range of Theatre, Dance and Arts opportunities to local, regional and national schools and colleges. We provide everything from enrichment, to curriculum, to before and after school clubs. NGYT are able to cater to the needs of your young people.
We also create Theatre pieces that specifically address themes and issues affecting young people today; In the past we have created pieces around the issues of Hate Crime, County Lines, Mental Health, Homelessness, Identity and Peer Pressure and we are more than happy to create bespoke workshops and pieces that are responsive and relevant to world in which we live.
To find out how NGYT can support your creative needs please:
Associate News
Adeyinka Akinrinade, NGYT Patron and Director of Associates The Basement Bunch has launched No Noise Studio with Co-Founder Guy Hodgkinson.
No Noise Studio is a space for committed actors for weekly acting workshops: no limits, no ego, no noise.
“The mission of No Noise Studio is to:
Create an acting environment committed to authentic, truthful acting.
Work on powerful texts, week in and week out that challenge us.
Do this in a dynamic way that offers the actor a new tool which they can take away from the studio and use in their wider work.
The workshops at No Noise are focused on intention, truth and detail to ensure that you work from an authentic place generating confidence and clarity needed to play.”
Patron News
NGYT Patron and actor Jonno Davies attends the premiere of his latest film project: Better Man which is released in UK cinemas on 26th December.
'Using top-end, hyper-expressionate motion-capture technology, actor Jonno Davies plays Williams as he goes from a working-class background in Stoke to becoming part of the boy band Take That to splintering off to find success as a solo singer, all narrated by the singer himself.' - The Guardian
‘While everyone around him on set is in period costume, Davies wore a motion-capture suit with a small camera perched above his face to track his expressions. From there, Wētā built chimp Robbie using Williams' own eyes (and various hairstyles) as inspiration. And the final touch: a voice that mixes Davies' and Williams' performances. All this blends seamlessly into a powerful performance that is one of the most surprising yet riveting of the year.’- Mashable
“I saw Robbie when I was 9 years old with my mum and dad live at Milton Keynes Bowl so when I was asked if I wanted to play him, it was a no brainer for me... So it was just finding moments within interviews of Rob, finding the perfect representation of him in each part of his life. That’s the showman Rob- that mass Rob people see and then make sure we had the human side of Rob.. the dynamic with him and his mum, him and his dad and his nan. That’s the part the audience will connect to.” - Jonno Davies, The Movie Report YT
Alumni News
NGYT Theatre Company Alumna Kiyana joined us from 2021-2022 and acted in our County Lines themed Theatre In Education piece 'Out There' created in collaboration with Beds VERU.
"I’ve just started my third and last year of studying acting and performance at LSBU (London South Bank University).
I’m really enjoying the course, it’s allowed my creative senses to flourish in such a safe space as an actor.
It’s taught me so much through its modules such as screen acting as i’m really learning how to differentiate my acting between being on stage verses on screen.
Last semester, we worked with a director called Max Harrison on a play called Bad Roads where I starred as “Woman Two”. However this year, we’re able to direct a play of our choice in our own way, taking our own initiative with everything we have learned which I’m anticipating in a nervous yet exciting way as it’ll be amazing to see the final piece my group and I have worked so hard on actually live on stage.
Over the summer, I’ve participated in a bit of voice-over work, such as making introductory videos for a business called 'Nu Know' which I found super fun and I’ve realised I’d definitely be more open to do more things like that in the future.
I’ve spent a lot of time with my close friend and fellow NGYT Alumna Julia, she’s my go to person to try new things with whether it’s going to see a new show at the theatre or finding the courage to put ourselves out there and network at different events.
As for myself, I’ve discovered more self-confidence during my involvement with different projects as well as also living away from home and becoming more independent."
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.
"Visit our website to explore our wide range of events suitable for families, young people, and audiences of all ages this season.
Remember to use your NGYT family code "NGYT25" at checkout to enjoy a 25% discount on 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.
Sixth Form News
Get ready to live forever!
"This December, we’re bringing the electrifying energy of Fame the Musical to the stage!
Don’t miss out on the ultimate feel-good show that will have you dancing in your seat and singing along to iconic hits!"
Tickets go on sale this November. Watch this space for ticket updates.
Young minds matter & Hello Yellow
“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.
For the Week of 7th-11th October we will be wearing YELLOW in all NGYT sessions to show young people they are not alone with their mental health ahead of World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10th October.
You can sport anything from face paint, hairbands and socks to full on onesies!
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.
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