Hello February

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!

Image

January was Joyful


click here: SIGN UP to try for free

NGYT and SEN sessions are buzzing with new members, Dunstable Calling creative meets and 1-to-1s are thriving, and the Beds VERU VR film project is taking shape.
Our performance project with Houghton Regis Academy is nearly complete, and we’ve kicked off 2025 with an inspiring first meet for Dunstable Young Producers. If that wasn’t enough we have so many more community and education projects to share with you. 

What a start to the year!

Want to join us? 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 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 Aaron! Aaron attended our auditions in November and is our latest member of NGYT Theatre Company:

“Hey, I’m Aaron. I’ve always had a sustained passion for acting.
When I found out about NGYT through my acting teacher in college, it was always in the back of my mind, I knew I had to check it out.
When I eventually gave it a shot & attended the auditions, I was greeted by friendly faces. Every direction I looked, someone was there with a pleasant smile to make me feel at ease & calm the nerves.
Since that day, I’ve made countless new friends and I now have beautiful space filled with beautiful people to refine my acting skills and elevate me to the next level.
Thanks goes to all the people that attend who are extremely open minded and have such amazing ways of thinking. This allows for an incredibly creative space.
David, Laura and Bethan really bring the best out in all of us.” - Aaron

Learn more about theatre company


Image

Image

NEW For Dancers...

Ahead of the launch of our BRAND NEW Auditioned Street Dance Company for 14–25-year-olds next month, Company Directors Nathan and Andrew will be running a one off workshop at Full House’s Feb Fest on Tuesday 18th February for ages 6+. There's two times to choose from for your cool dudes at home to show off their moves!

book febfest workshop for ages 6+

If you're interested in joining our auditioned  Street Dance Company for 14-25 year olds we’re offering a 6-week taster term on Fridays from Friday 28th February to 4th April at The Hat Factory Arts Centre.

Auditions for the company will follow the taster term after April.

For more info and to sign up for the taster term click the button below.


More info & book the taster term here

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.

Click to sign up for sen

Image

Image

NGYT Spotlight

Last month, Theatre Company and Meraki Dance Company member, young Writer and Actor Munashe successfully had her play 'A Collection of Conversations’ selected to be performed at Ricochet Theatre’s new writing showcase ‘Bulletpoints’ on 24th & 25th January.

"I feel really lucky to have had my script chosen...  to see my words being brought to life by a wonderfully talented team of Director and Actors"- Munashe

Calling Dunstable!

Got questions about The Grove, its programming or careers?

Want to know about the venue and what facilities/equipment it houses and how the community can utilise them?

Showing at The Grove Theatre…
A chance to see behind the scenes at The Grove Theatre plus meet the Managers of The Grove and come together for a Q&A to better understand the venue and develop positive working relationships and hear the latest plans.

Booking required for both the Open Door tour and Open Door Q&A separately.
For more information & to book your spot click the link below.


Read More & Get Involved

Last month we held our first Dunstable Young Creatives session at Grove Corner, Dunstable on 15th January. This initiative is for young people, by young people discussing and empowering young people to speak up and make decisions about and lead on what they’d like to passionately see creatively happen in their town.
If you’re a young person in Dunstable please keep an eye out for Calling Dunstable updates for the next meet. 

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.


share your views about art in dunstable

Image

Image

April Performances

NGYT Companies and groups will perform relaxed demos at the end of the term and we are bringing some end of term performances to The Hat Factory Arts Centre.

Our Gen Alpha & Gen Alpha drama groups and iGen Dance Company will be performing their latest pieces in an evening of dance and theatre:

Wednesday 2nd April 2025
The Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton

Gen A Drama Show:
5pm-5:15pm

Gen Z Drama Show:
5:45pm-6pm

iGen Dance Co Show:
7:30-8pm


Sign up for sessions at the hat factory

Community Spotlight:
Local Schools


see how we could work with your school

This Spring Term we returned to St Matthews Primary School and Putteridge Primary School to deliver Dance Curriculum in PE sessions from Year R up to Year 4.

"It's been brilliant to be back at St Matts with Grace, Carla & Kelly this term and Reception have been a joy to teach so far!
Putteridge year 1s & year 3s have been learning new street dance routines. We've formed mini street dance crews in each class. It's amazing to see their confidence grow." - Lauren


get in touch to work with us here

Image

Image

Collaborations

At the end of 2024 we started work with Houghton Regis Academy in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council to work on a dance theatre piece focusing on the themes of social isolation.
Company Members and Street Dance Company Co-Directors Nathan & Andrew have been working with the team on this project.

The piece will be performed at Houghton Regis Library at the end of this month:

Houghton Regis Library
Friday 28th February
Time TBC


collaborate and work with us

Alumni News


click here to see our alumni

After attending NGYT Theatre Company since 2019, Marta has recently left our NGYT Theatre Company for pastures new:

“You guys have built the most beautiful, safe place for the youth. There is genuinely nothing like it and Theatre Co is such a diverse and outstanding group.
Genuinely, thank you so much… I definitely wouldn't be the person I am today without you guys. You have shaped me into the person that I am, I'm truly truly thankful”

Wishing you so much love and luck Marta!


Image

Image

Team News

We are pleased to announce that Aaron Fontaine has joined the NGYT team for our collaboration with Bedfordshire VERU as Director for the creation of our County Lines VR Film.

Watch this space and our socials for more updates and for the casting opportunities for Actors.

click to see our team

Patron News


Click to Read more about our Patrons

Patron and Actor Adeyinka Akinrinade features in Silent Witness Season 28 Episode 10 ‘I Believe In Love Part 2’ on BBC One at 9pm on Monday 3rd February. We hope you’ll be tuning in:

“Silent Witness is such an exciting show to be a part of and I can’t wait for everyone to see what mysteries I’ve been involved in…”- Addie

Watch Addie in Series 28 ep 9 & 10 here

We are also excited to announce that Addie is also our Co-Producer for our collaboration with Bedfordshire VERU in the creation of our latest County Lines VR Film:

“I’m really thrilled to be producing this project alongside NGYT and Director Aaron Fontaine. This is such an important subject and issue and getting the chance to make a difference through filmmaking is really important to me. I really look forward to what we create together as a team”

Stay tuned for more updates and casting opportunities!


Image

Image

Associate News

Associate Artist Lizzy Fretwell has swapped the sights of Luton for somewhere a little further (& warmer)…

I am currently travelling around the East coast of Australia, I have already been to Singapore for a week and spent a month in Western Australia, which included a road trip up to coral bay and back in a campervan! My sister has lived in Perth (WA) for the last 3 years so it was lovely to spend Christmas with her, her husband and their little puppy!

Travelling has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone but I’m really loving it!

I’m almost halfway through 4 months of travel, after Australia I will be heading to New Zealand and finishing the trip with a week in Japan! I will be back on UK soil in March and look forward to catching up with my NGYT family when I’m back!”- Lizzy

click to see our associates

Sixth Form News

Applications for performing arts courses at Luton Sixth Form College starting in September 2025 are open now!
There are a range of performing arts courses including Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre and A Level Drama and Theatre to explore amongst courses in the Creative Industries, English & Global Languages, Medicine & Engineering, and Social & Behavioural Sciences.

follow lsfcpa on Insta

View the PA courses here

Apply to LSFC Here

Image

Whats on at The Culture Trust?


Browse The CULTURE TRUST Programme Here

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 season drops today!

The season highlight for families is a bumper Febfest 2025! Book early to avoid disappointment and keep an eye out for the workshop programme to drop.

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.


Sign Up to the Culture Trust mailing list

Image

Image

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.

The app is available to download now

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

access the LYFE 1 to 1 chatline
If you need urgent help, SHOUT host a crisis text line: Text SHOUT to 85258.
All texts are confidential and answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

click to read YM: how to speak to older generations about mental health

click for Young Minds: Dealing with Exam Stress

click for Young Minds: Find Help

Image
The youth mental health crisis isn’t caused by one thing - it’s a million things that add up to one huge problem and young people are feeling crushed. Tell our Prime Minister to ease the pressures on young people and make the world less heavy.

SIGN THE PETITION here

for CHILDLINE click here

click here for SAMARITANS

click here for YOUNG MINDS - PARENT SUPPORT

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.


sign up for NGYT here

Image

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

Find out how to Become a Friend of NGYT here


Image

Subscribe to mailing list