Take a first acting step: audition here
ACTING hopefuls from Halton who think they might be the next Daniel Craig or Catherine Tate are being given the chance to take their first steps to a dream career.
The Studio in Widnes has teamed up with the National Youth Theatre (NYT) to provide a free workship and audition day this March.
Louise Nulty, Studio manager, said one of the Lacey Street venue’s missions is to remove barriers to arts and culture, and collaborating with the NYT will help to fulfil that goal.
Famous faces to have started out at NYT include Daniel Craig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Catherine Tate and Matt Smith.
The workshop is on Sunday, March 1, and the auditions are on Sunday, March 22, and are open to anyone aged 14-25 years and interested in giving drama a go, and would like to audition for NYT for free.
It is being funded by the NYT’s Auditions Access Fund.
Anyone curious has been encouraged to give it a go, regardless of experience.
Louise said the NYT was also her springboard to a life acting and in the arts in 1992, which continues to this day with roles including a recent show in Manchester and 10 episodes of Emmerdale last year.
She is now celebrating her 25th year out of drama school.
She said: “As a member of the NYT alumni, I encourage anyone interested in acting or the industry to get involved.
“It 100% changed my life and cemented my determination to be an actor.
She added: “It really is a game changer and should be more people from Halton going. I would have jumped at this chance back then.
“I went in 1992, had to audition in Manchester and won a place then got funding from the Princes Trust to be able to afford to go – fees and accommodation for three weeks in London.
“I also attended the NYT ball that year with Prince Edward!
“They offered me a role in a show whilst I was at drama school but couldn’t afford to stay in London.
“It really is a game changer and there should be more people from Halton going.
“I would have jumped at this chance back then.”
An NYT spokeswoman said: “In 2018, as part of our ongoing commitment to outreach, we launched the Auditions Access Fund, supported by NYT Alumnus and Patron Hugh Bonneville.
“The Auditions Access Fund is a grant which supports free drama workshops and audition days across the UK, for young people with limited access to the arts.
“Now in its second year, we’re working with partners from schools, youth groups and learning departments from Glasgow to Cornwall, Scarborough to Derry and deliver this free activity.”
To apply visit www.nyt. org.uk/AAF