Hey there! I’m Charlie, I’m 14 years old and I’ve been doing National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) for two years now. Two summers of musical madness, late-night singalongs, and… losing my glasses at least three times (or potentially more). If you’re thinking about joining, or just want to know how many T-shirts one person can lose in a week, here’s my take on the NYMT residential experience. 

Arriving and Settling In 

I’ll never forget my first day at NYMT. I rolled up with a suitcase, it looked like I was moving house, and I was convinced I’d left half my stuff at home (spoiler: I had). Everyone was awkwardly shuffling around like lost penguins. The good news? You’re not alone. It’s normal to be nervous, everyone’s in the same boat - dragging bag, putting name tags on etc . The staff and returning members make it super easy to settle in. There’s a special team called the Pastoral team (not secret agents, don’t worry) whose job is to make you feel happy. Within an hour, I’d already bonded with so many people! The adults were super caring, and all the children started singing Hamilton. It was great! You’ll be staying in school boarding houses, usually bunking with a few others (around your age). Word to the wise: bring a towel (yes, people do forget).  

A Day in the Life: Food, Friends 

Mornings start at 7:00AM with my alarm going off, but I’ve mastered the art of “just five more minutes” until the Pastoral Team knocks on my door with a reminder. Sometimes if you get lucky, they might play a musical theatre song to wake you up, last time I awoke with the Lion King.  

Breakfast is AMAZING! There’s always something for everyone, from a full English spread to pancakes and all kinds of cereals. 

Rehearsals kick off at 9:00 AM, and let’s be honest, they’re intense - but in the best way. Hours of singing, dancing and acting. The energy is contagious.  

But don’t worry, it’s not all about the work. Between rehearsals, we’ve got free time to chill, play games, or form mini search parties to help find the latest thing I’ve misplaced (yes, it’s a recurring theme). If you love Mafia (or Traitors for the BBC fans), prepare yourself - it’s a staple at NYMT. We also have movie nights, garden pizza parties, and enough jokes to last a lifetime. 

The Pastoral Team 

The pastoral team? Absolute lifesavers. They’re like your NYMT parents - always there when you need them, whether you’re homesick, missing your glasses (again), or just need a chat. And if you're allergic to something or just plain picky, they've got you covered. You can count on the pastoral crew to be there for you, ready with a smile, a snack, and probably my lost T-shirt. Also, Ben Sheen (the Head of Pastoral) is your man to show you where the toilets are, he’s great!  

The Last Day: Saying Goodbye 

The last day is always a bit… sad. There’s the excitement of all the fun throughout the day, but also the realisation that it’s time to pack up and say goodbye. I always seem to spend the morning running around, making sure I’ve collected all my stuff (which tends to scatter across the room during the week) but genuinely it’s like you’ve made a family with the people around you, and you’ve created friends for life!  Saying goodbye is the tough part. After performing with the people, you’ve basically lived with, it’s hard to leave. But there’s always next year (and yes, we’re already counting down the days). 

Why NYMT is Worth It 

If you’re thinking about joining NYMT—go for it. Seriously. It’s an experience like no other, and you’ll be part of a team that makes the hard work totally worth it. 

So, pack your bags (triple-check you’ve packed your towel) and prepare for some of the best times of your life. See you at NYMT!