No production can operate without a skilled backstage team!
As well as our technical courses, there is a whole range of different opportunities for those looking for a role out of the spotlight.
The Production roles offer a two week experience on an NYMT production or New Musical Workshop. You'll see the project through from beginning to end and work alongside leading Theatre Professionals giving you the opportunity to develop your skills and learn about an exciting career path. These opportunities are available to those aged 16–23, though do check if we have any workshops currently available for those under 16.
Work alongside a professional Stage Manager and Deputy Stage Manager to support the production through rehearsals, Tech week and shows. You'll produce show paperwork, support the rehearsal room, make and manage props and run a backstage track. No production is complete without a reliable Stage Management team that are ready to solve problems at any time.
Meet with the lighting designer to hear about their vision for the show and how they have created the lighting plan. You'll get the opportunity to spend time with the production electrician, rigging and focusing lights as well as installing any set lighting effects. During the tech and shows you'll be operating a follow spot under the direction of the Lighting Designer or Associate Lighting Designer.
The Sound department are a vital part of putting on a Musical. You'll spend time with all parts of the sound team and learn about the different roles of a Sound Number 1, 2 and 3. During the technical rehearsals and shows you'll help manage microphones on the cast, solve problems with the team and ensure the show is sounding great!
As a costume assistant you'll hear from the costume designer on their vision for the productions costume. During the rehearsals you'll work with the costume supervisor to sort through the pulled costume, fit the costumes to the cast and make alterations. This may include making costumes from scratch. In the Theatre you'll get the costumes ready for technical rehearsals and have a backstage track to support any quick changes and costume needs.
OUR RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS IN 2027
Here are some of the residential opportunities we have coming up in 2027
These opportunites are open to actors, instrumental musicians and young creative and production assistants. To take any role in one of our productions, you'll need to attend an audition or interview.
Newsies
Easter Rehearsal | 30 March – 4 April 2027 | Essex (actors and creative assistants only)
Summer Rehearsal | 24–31 July 2027 | Kent (full company)
Production Period | 2–7 August 2027 | The Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Stop the presses! This Disney film turned Tony-winning Broadway hit inspires everyone to fight for what's right and seize the day.
Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies". When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family.
Pippin
Easter Rehearsal | 5-10 April 2027 | Kent (actors and creative assistants only)
Summer Rehearsal | 31 July – 7 August 2027 | Kent (full company)
Production Week | 9–14 August 2027 | The Mercury Theatre, Colchester
There's magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in Stephen Schwartz's iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece.
From Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, this updated circus-inspired version of Pippin has an infectiously unforgettable score and continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world.
Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.
Made in Dagenham
Easter Rehearsal | 30 March – 4 April 2027 | Essex (actors and creative assistants only)
Summer Rehearsal | 7–14 August 2027 | Kent (full company)
Production Week | 16–21 August 2027 | The Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Inspired by a true story and based on the hit movie, Made in Dagenham is the uplifting new British musical comedy about friendship, love and the importance of fighting for what is right.
Essex, 1968. Like millions of other working women, each morning Rita O’Grady is just trying to get her husband out of bed, get the kids off to school and get to work at the factory on time. But life is about to change forever when it’s announced that the girls in the stitching room of Ford’s Dagenham car plant will have their pay grade dropped to ‘unskilled’. Quickly drawing on a strength she never knew she had, Rita leads her friends in a battle against the might of Ford and the corruption of the Union supposed to protect them. As the girls’ inspiring journey gets bigger than anyone could have imagined, the pressure is too much for some, but can Rita keep up the fight and the happy home she’s worked so hard for?
Made in Dagenham will be brought to you in 2027 by an all-female and non-binary cast.
Guys and Dolls
Easter Rehearsal | 5-10 April 2027 | Kent (actors and creative assistants only)
Summer Rehearsal | 14–21 August 2027 | Rutland (full company)
Production Week | 23–29 August 2027 | The Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Frank Loesser's celebrated musical comedy about rolling the dice and falling in love under the bright lights of Broadway – with a twist...
Following in the footsteps of Sheridan Smith, Tom Hollander, Idris Elba, Sally Hawkins and Orlando Bloom – the big names of tomorrow are taking to the stage for NYMT's production of Guys and Dolls in 2027.
Sky Masterson, Miss Adelaide, Nathan Detroit and the whole cast of huge characters will be played by some of the youngest of NYMT's performers as Guys & Dolls is given the Bugsy Malone treatment at the Mercury Theatre.
Workshops & Courses
We are delighted to be working on some outstanding new musicals as part of our 2027 Programme, and offering a brand-new programme of residential development courses.
In our residential workshops, our Young Company Members have the opportunity to work with our professional creatives in developing brand new music theatre and developing their own skills in acting, singing and dance, all within the magical NYMT residential experience.
NYMT is a DofE Approved Activity Provider. All our residential workshops and productions are qualifying Gold Award residentials.
Inclusion is one of our three core values. Everyone is welcome equally here.
Interview Process
We invite applications between October and January. You don't at this stage need to have decided which role you are most interested in. Your £25 application fee provides open access to a vibrant online community, where we offer skill building and group mentorship sessions. After we receive your application, you’ll receive an invitation to participate in as much as you can!
These sessions are optional, but are only for those applying for a role with us.
After the application process, we'll be in touch to let you know if we've been able to place you on one of our projects.
Apply now
FEES
NYMT fees vary from course to course, project to project. We're a charity (non-profit) and we work hard to keep fees as low as we can while maintaining the high quality of what we do.
We never want finances to be a barrier. We provide our Young Company Members with a fundraising guide and we offer various bursaries at a range of levels.
Application Fee
The application fee for our Creative & Production Pathway is £25. Your application fee provides open access to a vibrant online community, where we offer skill building sessions, group mentorship and the chance to observe a production process. Once we receive your application, you’ll receive a Zoom link and an invite to participate in as much as you can!
Productions
Our 2027 production fee for members of our Creative & Production Pathway is £1,350.
This includes:
One week full board and comfortable accommodation, and a second week of bed & breakfast accommodation
One week of working in rehearsals with a professional creative team
One week in a professional theatre environment as part of a fully staged production
A dedicated team providing outstanding pastoral care throughout the project
Bursaries
NYMT is committed to ensuring all young people are able to have the NYMT experience, regardless of financial circumstances. With generous external support, we're able to offer bursaries to those who would not otherwise be able to benefit from the opportunities we offer.
Bursary applications are open once we make you an offer after you've attended one of our audition days. We generally make a decision within 10 days.
If you'd like to know more, please get in touch.
NYMT is grateful for the generous support by The Garek Trust of our bursary programme this year.
