Three Sixth Form College students have secured competitive sought-after places with the National Youth Theatre.

The talented three –  Kate, Hugh and Chloe – beat off over 6,000 auditionees to earn one of only 500 places. They will now receive world-class performance opportunities, training from renowned industry professionals and the will join a network of ambitious young actors from across the country.

The NYT has helped launched the careers of countless top actors, including Dame Judi, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Dame Helen Mirren and Benedict Cumberbatch. Some of them now help train the new recruits and the sessions take place at theatre venues across London.

This is the third year that the College has supported students in gaining places with the National Youth Theatre as part of the College’s Future’s programme. The Sixth Form is the only centre for auditions outside of London.

Theatre and Musical Theatre teacher Emma Stanway said,

The National Youth Theatre is the breeding ground for British acting. This will really open doors for the three students. There’s so much young acting talent in Stoke-on-Trent.

One of the students, Kate Harrison from Birches Head, had little acting experience before starting at the Sixth Form College. Kate has, since beginning the BTEC Performing Arts course, performed at high profile events at venues such as the Regent Theatre and is looking forward to fitting her youth theatre commitments around her continued study.

Chloe is also a relative newcomer to acting, but impressed the judges with her audition, which was described as one of the best they had seen all year. She performed a monologue from the hard-hitting play 4.48 Psychosis, which explores themes around mental health. Chloe said:

I really put my energy and creativity into the character. I didn’t expect to get in, so it’s a huge confidence boost.

The College is thrilled and proud of these students’ achievement, it is an indicator of their exceptional talent and commitment.