Hello May
Hi Parents/Carers/Company Members,
We hope you are well.
Want to find out what's new and coming up at NGYT? You've come to the right place!
Summer is here!
May has arrived with excitement as we move further into the Summer. It’s the perfect time to reflect on everything we built together in April & the year so far, while looking ahead to what’s coming next.
Last month was full of inspiring moments. Laura and David represented us at the Arts Council England South East Conference, sharing the impact of our work and connecting with others across the youth sector. We also completed casting for our short film, What We Wish You'd Known, a powerful new project in collaboration with Luton's Schools Linking Network, exploring the hopes and dreams of LGBTQIA+ young people navigating our education system.
There’s plenty happening, and we’d love for you to be part of it. It’s never too late to get involved- simply click the sign-up button above and join NGYT.
Read on to see what’s coming next…
Strike a Pose!
You might see some familiar NGYT faces strutting straight onto Frasers Plus Luton's Fashion & Beauty Weekend runway for the early May Bank Holiday weekend!
Mark your calendars for Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May, because from 11am to 5pm, Central Square (opposite Chopstix) will be full of the latest fashion & beauty trends.
Get ready for live catwalk shows featuring the latest menswear, womenswear and kids’ fashion plus more.
Feeling creative? Roll up your sleeves and jump into a recycled‑fashion workshop, where you can help create an outfit using upcycled materials.
And don’t forget to strike a pose and snap a selfie on the community runway.
Don’t miss it - fashion, fun and feeling fabulous - all in one weekend!
The new best part of your week?
At NGYT, our Wednesday Drama and Dance sessions are all about imagination, energy, and having fun. It’s not just a class, it’s a place where your ideas count, your confidence grows, and you can be completely yourself.
One week, you might be creating your own character and acting out an exciting story in Drama. The next, you could be learning bold, expressive moves in Contemporary Dance. There’s no need to be “perfect” - just enjoy dance & see what you can create.
You’ll laugh, move, explore, and make new friends who love being creative just like you.
✨ Build confidence
✨ Bring your ideas to life
✨ Be part of something fun every week
So… what will you create this Wednesday?
Come and give it a try- parents and carers, email us to book a free trial for your young person.
Meet Our New Members
We had yet another incredible turnout for auditions in Autumn 2025 for our NGYT Theatre Company & Meraki Dance Company. Meet one of our latest Meraki Dance Company members, Tia!
“Hi, my name is Tia Mendoza and I joined Meraki Dance Company in September 2025 and I’m glad I did.
Before I joined NGYT, I was a self-taught dancer specialising in street dance with no prior experience with contemporary dance. However, after joining Dance Co, I was able to explore the style and step out of my comfort zone. I was also able to meet new people that I wouldn't have met or been friends with otherwise through dance co.
I find that dance helps me relieve my stress and allows me to let go, especially with all the stress at college. I felt and still feel so welcomed and comfortable with the community, feeling like another family.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have joined and I’m excited to see what’s in store for the future.”
Young Minds Matter
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:
Shout is a free, 24/7 confidential text-based mental health support service in the uk, accessible by texting "SHOUT" to 85258.
LYFE chat line has been created by Mary Seacole Housing Association in Luton to support young people and the community by encouraging, empowering, and providing support and guidance. 'We are an outreach service helping youth affected by various issues, including but not limited to homelessness and exploitation. There are many ways we can help— you are not alone.'
Sponsorship opportunity
Are you a local business with a passion for supporting your community, young people, and a local charity? NGYT is looking for local businesses to sponsor scholarship places at NGYT.
Sponsors will help provide young people with a year-long scholarship to attend an NGYT group or company of their choice. Supporting young people at NGYT ensures they remain well, creative, and able to thrive in a safe, supportive space.
NGYT is Luton’s only youth-led and youth-focused theatre and dance charity. We run over 80 projects each year and work with up to 42 schools across Luton and Bedfordshire, reaching more than 12,000 children annually.
NGYT Theatre and Dance Company scholarships are £432 per year per young person and NGYT all-ability and SEN groups and Companies range from £180-£306 a year per young person.
If you’d like to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email enquiries@ngyt.co.uk.
If you’re not a business but you’d like to help donate to our Scholarship Crowdfunder and give the gift of creativity this festive season click the link below:
Alumni News
NGYT Theatre Company Alumnus, Actor and Theatre Maker Alex Burgoyne attended NGYT from 2020 to 2022. This month, Alex is premiering his new one man show ‘You Will Smile Again :)’ on Sunday 17th May at the Etcetera Theatre Club, Camden.
You Will Smile Again 🙂 showcases Alex’s unique style of creative practice and blends, puppetry, clowning, live music, spoken word, Kantor’s ‘room’, material play, silliness and heart to explore the relationship between your past and the slow, painful path of going down the rabbit hole of your own mind.
Quote from Alex: I properly started developing this show when I started drama school. I wanted to do something unapologetically ME, which my time at NGYT gave me that confidence and belief to do so. It takes a lot of experimentation, a willingness to fail and trust that it will become something you are proud of, even if it may look a little different to how you originally planned! It’s gone from just ideas, to rough scripts to playing with scenes in the theatre space to extracts at scratch nights and finally a full version of the show. I can’t wait to perform it!
Click the Link below for tickets, trigger warnings and more information:
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