Hello November
Hi Parents/Carers/Company Members,
We hope you are all well and having a lovely Autumn Break.
Want to find out what's new and coming up at NGYT? You've come to the right place!
No More October
Can you believe we’re already halfway through this half term? We hope you’re all well rested and taking part in some autumnal activities locally.
Last month, we held Carnival workshops with UKCCA, K-pop workshops with The Culture Trust, and lots of dance and theatre sessions across the community and in education.
We're getting prepared for our Meraki Dance Company and Theatre Company Auditions this month... We’ve also finished editing our short film DUSK, and we’re almost ready to launch the full film soon…
Take a look at our new #NGYT Highlights Video for 2024-25 which shows our work, reach and impact in Luton over the last year. We couldn't do it without you, thank you!
It’s never too late to join us. Click the sign-up button above to join us, attend a free trial and be part of NGYT.
Read on to find out more and see what’s coming next…
Auditions: This Month
Meraki Dance Company Auditions will be held on:
Monday 10th & Monday 17th November 7:30-9:30pm
Theatre Company Auditions will be held on:
Tuesday 11th & Tuesday 18th November 7:30-9:30pm
For talented actors, dancers, theatre makers and choreographers to audition for our flagship performance companies: NGYT Theatre Company and NGYT Meraki Dance Company.
These companies are for passionate young people aged 14–25 who are studying GCSE Drama and/or Dance, pursuing similar subjects at college or university, are graduates, semi-professional or professional performers.
Both companies focus on performance and meet for two hours each week to develop technique, skills, and ideas, creating original work and professionally commissioned pieces and performance opportunities (Previous opportunities include Royal Opera House, BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, Sky News, Brighton Fringe and Mötus Dance Festival MK).
This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with other artists and create high-quality, authentic work that pushes boundaries, challenges audience perspectives, and amplifies vital voices that are too often unheard in our society.
Our Company members are offered free headshots, access to free workshop opportunities with professional theatre and dance companies and tickets to shows at The Hat Factory Arts Centre.
Meraki Dance Company Auditions will be held on:
Monday 10th & Monday 17th November 7:30-9:30pm
Theatre Company Auditions will be held on:
Tuesday 11th & Tuesday 18th November 7:30-9:30pm
If you’d like to come along and take a look before the auditions to see if it's something you'd be interested in attending please drop emails to our respective Company Directors who look forward to welcoming you:
David@ngyt.co.uk (Theatre Co)
Laura@ngyt.co.uk (Dance Co)
Thank you
We had lots of fun at our Community workshops last month! Lauren and Art loved dancing and a mini parade with young people at UKCCA!
Hannah and Laura also had a blast at our day of KPop Demon Hunters inspired workshops with The Culture Trust.
Thank you to everyone who came along to join us for theatre, dance and bracelet making. We hope you enjoyed the day as much as us!
We were honoured to also be invited to perform at Bedfordshire VEPP’s Hope Hacks Event at Luton Town Football Club this year.
The theme of this year’s event surrounded Violence against Women and Girls. Actors Grace Clinton and Carl Connelly performed a live version of spoken word piece ‘Dusk’ created in collaboration with Tokko through workshops and creative sessions with young people across Luton, written by NGYT Co-Director David Lloyd.
Watch a film version of Dusk online very soon...
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.
NGYT Spotlight
Meraki Dance Company member Andrew Jackson has been cast in ZooNation’s Ebony Scrooge at Sadler’s Wells East this Winter as a young company member. Andrew is currently in rehearsals as a Swing in the production, learning several professional roles in case he needs to step in for the cast. It's a very exciting and valuable opportunity in the dance and theatre world- Congratulations Andrew!
Grab your tickets for ZooNation's Ebony Scrooge at the button above!
It's Showtime!
Looking for something to make you feel warm, fuzzy and proud to get you in the seasonal spirit?
Join our Musical Theatre Company members as they showcase their creativity from the Autumn Term.
Expect original drama scenes, seasonal songs and popular dances from these awesome young people.
MT Juniors and Inters:
Friday 28th November
6pm
The Hat Factory Arts Centre
MT Seniors:
Friday 28th November
8pm
The Hat Factory Arts Centre
Book your tickets at the link above.
spotlight: local schools
Laura had the honour of judging Chiltern Dance Festival’s dance competition last half term: “Such a high standard of dancing across the Trust. Everyone should feel very proud”- Laura
We’ve also been running Theatre and Dance Workshops in Secondary Schools across Luton during October.
Huge thank you to Putteridge High, Lealands High, Stopsley High and Chiltern Academy for hosting us and we cannot wait for further workshops with Cardinal Newman School, Challney Girls & Boys Schools, Denbigh, Chiltern Academy, Lealands, QES & Stopsley for more this month and beyond!
If you work in Education in Luton, would like an arts project in your school or education setting please get in touch at www.ngyt.co.uk or email enquiries@ngyt.co.uk and we can make it happen!
Patron News
First look Images have been released for NGYT Patron and writer Jack Thorne’s adaptation of Lord of The Flies which will be the first ever for television.
Jack said: “Lord of the Flies as a book is full of love as well as cruelty, about how we survive as people and the ways we undo ourselves.” he added he hopes his adaptation will be a show that ‘families will watch together on the sofa and unpick just as I unpicked the book with my Mum as a kid.”
Jack’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ is expected to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2026.
Sponsorship opportunity
Are you a local business with a passion for supporting your community, young people, and a local charity? We are providing a unique opportunity 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. We reach up to 12,000 children and young people 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.
Alumni News
NGYT Theatre Company Alumnus (2016-2020), Actor and Artist Rhys Crownshaw has sent us his latest update:
"At the moment I'm writing my solo show script. It’s called ‘The unaffected’ (working title) and it’s basically an autobiographical show about my life and experiences as a disabled person living in a non disabled society. It basically goes through my life and shows where I’ve ended up now. It’s also a show that basically says that you’ll have challenges but you can always make the most out of it 😄. I’m also hoping to perform it in Luton at some point in the future!"
Team News
Bethan wins Best Actress at Big Fridge International Film Festival for her role of Lisa in BITE, a short film set against the ‘quietly haunting backdrop of the East London Canal’.
BITE is also a finalist at the Los Angeles Lift Off Film Festival. Congratulations Bethan!
Sixth Form News
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 and the new What's On Brochure has landed!
Remember to use your NGYT exclusive code "NGYT25" at checkout to enjoy a 25% off discount on selected shows and 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.
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:
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
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
