Students Enjoy National Youth Theatre Success

Three more students from Chatham and Clarendon have been accepted into the National Youth Theatre with an additional pupil accepted onto the National Theatre's Young Technicians course.

The National Youth Theatre is one of the most sought after and competitive theatre groups in the UK. Each year thousands of young people between the age of 14-25 apply for just a handful of places. If their audition is successful they are then given the opportunity to take part in an induction workshop and then remain members until they are 25, providing them special access to training workshops, castings, discounted tickets and much more. 

Elikem Debre, Saskia-Jane Howard and George Coker all took part in NYT auditions this the Spring and received confirmation of their places just before half-term.

Elikem said " I was so happy and shocked when I got in!! I really loved the experience, from getting my teachers to help me pick my monologue to being in the audition room on my own. It has taught me to trust myself, and dig deeper into the acting world, forcing me to overcome my nervousness. I learnt that it was okay to play around with my monologue even if I did cringe at myself. The process was completely worth it!!"

Mrs Gregory, who supported the students with their auditions and hosted last year's Menagerie of Monologues, said " I'm so proud of every pupil who auditioned for the National Youth Theatre. Not only did they take on board feedback, but they always came back having pushed themselves further. They were determined to succeed and showed an incredible work ethic throughout the whole process, making them an absolute pleasure to work with.

"Following A Menagerie of Monologues, so many people took the time to speak to me and pass on their congratulations for our students. The comments were genuinely lovely to hear and so richly deserved. 

What impressed me even more was what happened afterwards. In the build-up to the auditions, the students continued to refine and develop their monologues, putting in hours of work behind the scenes. I was blown away by the commitment they showed and by the progress they made.

To then see Elikem, George and Saskia gain NYT places from this exceptional group of pupils, with Nadia being placed on the waiting list, was amazing. Everyone involved should be incredibly proud of themselves."

Head of Drama, Mr Smith, said "This is an extraordinary achievement. To get one pupil accepted is usually something to celebrate, but three was beyond expectations. They join three fellow alumni which brings our current representation to six students since 2023. We couldn't be prouder."

Another Chatham & Clarendon student, James Rowland-Hill, was also accepted onto the National Theatre's Young Technicians course, an opportunity for students to learn more about the technical aspects of production.

James said “I'm honoured to have had the amazing opportunity to work with the team at The National Theatre. Having the chance to expand on and develop so many skills within the world of theatre is a privilege and I've made some great friendships from it!"

Mr Smith added "James has been working with local theatre groups and on our own school productions over the last two years. He was also took part in last year's CONNECTIONS production at the Dorfman Theatre, so this is certainly a well-deserved opportunity."

"We have really worked hard to make theatre accessible for all at Chatham and Clarendon, and I'm so pleased to see our students achieving at a national level in ensemble performance, individual auditions, technical theatre and playwrighting. We are so lucky to work with such a talented and enthusiastic group of students and to get so much support from the school's leadership at a time when other schools are scaling back their arts provision."