Hello July
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!
Goodbye June
Last month was jam-packed!
We hosted Adi & Gabriela from QES and Eleanor from Sir John Lawes School for work experience. We provided a range of experiences including festival site visits, education sessions, administration, and project meetings:
“Thank you for this week. You’ve helped me massively with things I couldn’t overcome, like talking in public and self-confidence. Again, thank you. This meant so much to me!” - Adi
“I had a great time and learnt a lot. If you need any volunteering, I’d love to help. I... miss working with you guys on projects.” - Eleanor
Lauren and Sam led Dance, Yoga, and Wellbeing sessions last month at Woodlands Secondary School for their Sports and Wellbeing Day:
“The groups were really engaged, and we had a really fun morning!” - Staff member, Woodlands.
We have also started delivering Dance Curriculum at Stanbridge Lower School, which has never offered dance sessions to their learners before:
“It’s an absolute joy going into Stanbridge every Friday.
Every year group, from nursery all the way to Year 4, is always excited, enthusiastic, and keen to throw themselves into the sessions and have fun.” - Lauren
We provided actors for Dunstable’s History Alive event, and actors & dancers performed in the National Trust’s D-Day event at Dunstable Downs. Actors delivered monologues, and dancers performed duets to commemorate the remembrance.
Lastly, our Musical Theatre Company closed the month with their latest summer production: 'Unveiled'.
“It made me laugh, smile and even cry.” - Audience Member
"It's their happy place and everyone is celebrated." - Parent/Carer
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.
Good Morning Campers
Join NGYT's iGen Theatre Company as they showcase their ideas, creativity, and hard work in their latest piece: Camp Beachdown at The Hat Factory Arts Centre on Monday 8th July at 7pm.
‘A group of young people are sent to Camp Beachdown for the summer holidays. They must find a way to settle in, build new friendships, and become comfortable outside of their comfort zones. A play that explores belonging and what it means to be "home.”’
Our Double Bill Returns
Did you catch our Double Bill last year?
If you missed it, never fear, as our shows Be Still The Tide and It’s Just About Love Really… Isn’t It? return to Luton PLUS we are performing in Bedford this year!
18th July 2024
7:30pm
The Place Theatre, Bedford
26th & 27th July 2024
7:30pm
The Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton
What audiences said:
“Thought-provoking and moving.”
“You might cry. You will definitely laugh.”
"I was blown away by the message, the talent, and the care that had gone into the creation of the show."
NGYT members selected at Homegrown
We are proud and excited to announce that the following NGYT members, team, and alumni have been selected to be part of Homegrown Luton: Luton’s New Writing Festival on Friday, 5th July to present and direct brand-new plays.
The evening will feature a series of 10-minute plays from Luton’s up-and-coming writers, directors, and actors:
‘Headstrong’ by NGYT Writers Collective alumna Kat Anderson will be directed by NGYT alumna and Patron Adeyinka Akinrinade and Theatre Company alumnus Bruno Rebelo.
NGYT team member Rebekah Taylor will be presenting and directing her new play ‘Lionesses.’
‘Loo-ton,’ written by Natalie Cummings, will be directed by ‘22-’23 NGYT Theatre Company Assistant Director Shanté Campbell.
Theatre Company member Jonathan Meyer will be debuting his play ‘No Shame,’ directed by NGYT team member and alumna Molly Sims.
‘2 Consolations,’ written by Theatre Company & Meraki Dance Company member Grace Clinton, will be directed by previous NGYT Writers Collective leader Sidney Belony.
You will also see many familiar faces from NGYT as actors in the plays.
Revel, Rave and Rhyme!
FREE Dance Party Sessions with our Taleshakers Team this summer, every Tuesday throughout the school holidays as pictured.
We’re also shaking ‘Tales’ across the UK with TOTFest, at Bedford River Festival, Dunstable, Luton, and more! Find out when on our Taleshakers page below.
NGYT Spotlight
Last month, Meraki Dance Company and Theatre Company member Nathan Bucio performed with the professional cast of dancers at the 2024 Champions League Final pre-game show with Lenny Kravitz.
“I attended an audition for a major world sporting event dance (it was unknown) and I got in! Then I found out that it’s for the Football Champions League Final! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I got to meet so many amazing people and do what I love in front of millions, which is something I’m still trying to get my head around. A year and a bit ago, I would have never even conceived the idea of dancing for a living, but through NGYT’s constant support, I was able to dive headfirst into dance and have the confidence to do things like this!” - Nathan
Alumni News
NGYT Alumna Julia attended our Theatre Company and Meraki Dance Company from 2021-2022 and left to study BA (Hons) Acting and Performance but has recently made the switch:
“I am now studying at Central Saint Martins (Performance: Design and Practice) so not only can I act, I can dance and focus on other fields such as costume, set design etc… something that links well with NGYT’s approach to theatre. I’ll be able to devise my own shows/ films.
Last year I contemplated dropping out of University as I felt that the previous course I was on dimmed my creativity.
When I decided to make the move I realised I want to constantly break barriers and push myself to be the greater version of me whilst also encouraging and enjoying the work of my peers; not to value myself as greater than them.
A reason why I switched course was due to how I felt I was not surrounded by life, which is one of the main inspirations for my work as an actor. I'm no longer just focusing on being an actor but opening up to be much more and I hope I get to create work I am proud of.” -Julia
Community Spotlight: iBelong Dunstable
The NGYT team are working on a theatre, music, and dance education project, bringing together four schools in Dunstable: Icknield, Priory, Watling, and Studham, culminating in a spectacular ‘iBelong’ showcase this month.
“I’ve had a great time in Studham and Priory drumming and singing along to lyrics that the students themselves have made! What an awesome creative bunch!” - Becky
“It’s been such a brilliant experience visiting the schools in Dunstable. Everyone has been working super hard, and I’m really excited to see what we create in July!” - Laura
More information about the showcase will be coming soon.
team news
NGYT Theatre Company and Meraki Dance Company Member Grace Clinton will be joining our teaching team from September!
‘I am so excited to be joining the NGYT teaching team in September! David and Laura continuously do everything they can to provide opportunities to everyone at NGYT, and I am so grateful to have been given this one!’ - Grace
Patron News
NGYT patron Jonno Davies stars alongside Dustin Hoffman, Helen Hunt, and Sofia Boutella in the new Peter Greenaway film. Filming commenced in Lucca, Italy, back in April this year:
"It was truly an honour to work so closely with such an incredible, rightly-decorated and legendary cast, all in beautiful Lucca, Italy. Our Director, Peter created a brave and playful environment for us to play and explore; something you rarely get to experience when working on a film. They’re all masters of their craft and what I learnt from them along the process was absolutely invaluable.”- Jonno
Associate News
NGYT Dance & Theatre Company Alumnus Sam Edmunds and Co-Director of NGYT Associate Theatre Company Chalk Line Theatre has created a fresh new play about life as a young Lutonian in Luton.
Not only has the play been researched and developed in Luton but the play will be making its debut at the one and only Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer.
Best of luck to Sam, Vikesh and the Chalkline Theatre cast, crew & team. We can’t wait to catch the Luton run.
Catch ‘The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return’ in Luton:
Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th July 2024
7:30pm
The Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton
Use our code NGYT25 online at checkout for 25% off tickets.
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.
Take a look to see what's on, what's coming up and happening around Luton!
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.
Sixth Form News
Thinking about perusing the creative arts after secondary school?
There is still time to apply to study Performing Arts at the college and more information can be found on the college website www.lutonsfc.ac.uk or on our socials.
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.
Aged 14-17? You can attend Luton's Young Person’s Sanctuary, a drop-in evening service for young people aged 14-17 in crisis or mental distress at 89 Castle Street LU1 3AJ.
It is a safe, non-judgemental space where you will be met by a trained mental health worker who will listen and help you identify ways to address the problems you are facing.
For more details about the sanctuary and other wellbeing resources and support check out:
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
