Many congratulations to Libby Jackson who has been selected for the prestigious National Youth Theatre. Currently sitting her GCSEs, Libby is a Drama and Musical Theatre scholar who was most recently seen on the Rogers Theatre stage performing the role of Fantine in the College’s production of ‘Les Miserables’, having previously featured during Speech Day 2022, when she performed a comedic monologue by Neil Simon.
Libby attended an NYT audition day held at Bristol in March. This involved a three-hour workshop followed by an individual audition with a NYT director where she had to perform two contrasting monologues of her choice. Libby found out last week that she had been offered a place on the coveted Acting Course and was delighted with the news and the opportunity it offers. Each year, around 6000 young people audition for these unique summer courses, but only 500 young people from across the country are lucky enough to win places.
This success will see Libby take part in a two-week residential with the NYT in Bristol where she will experience working as a team in an ensemble theatre company and will have the opportunity to work with a professional theatre director. Following this exciting deep-dive into the theatrical world, Libby will become an Acting Member of the National Youth Theatre.
The NYT, whose alumni includes Dame Hellen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Rosumund Pike, Daniel Day-Lewis, David Walliams, Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Hynes, Rupert Penry-Jones, Orlando Bloom (among others) was established in 1956 as the world’s first youth theatre.
Director of Drama, Keith Packham said “This is a fantastic achievement. Libby has huge potential and we look forward to hearing all about her experiences as a member of the National Youth Theatre. Both Ms Hollyhead (Speech & Drama tutor) and I are NYT alumni and we are delighted that Libby will experience working with the youth company.”