National Youth Theatre of Wales launch auditions for 50th Anniversary Year ensemble
The National Youth Theatre of Wales (NYTW) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with an ambitious new ‘State of the Youth Nation’ bilingual theatre commission. NYTW 2026 members will collaborate with a renowned playwright to develop a bold new stage production with a strong musical edge.
The annual summer residency will culminate in a showcase of key scenes and musical numbers brought to life on the stage in Cardiff in July before being developed further for a tour in 2027.
Alongside developing a flagship production, 2026 NYTW members will perform in NYTW’s 50th Anniversary Gala and take part in the first-ever NYTW Scratch Night, showcasing their own theatre-making skills.
During March and April, the National Youth Theatre of Wales will be hosting a 12-date audition tour the length and breadth of Wales - from Bangor to Aberystwyth, Wrexham to Newport and beyond the tour will ensure young performers from every area of the country get the opportunity shine. The three-hour workshop-style audition, led by a panel of theatre professionals, will allow young performers to feel confident to explore and discover their potential and talent.
NYTW are also hosting a free Audition Taster Workshop supported by Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, on Sunday 15 February,
1–3pm, inviting 16–22-year-olds interested in performing to “Give it a Go!” through a friendly, practical workshop that introduces the essentials of auditioning. Those taking part will work on voice and movement, gain confidence-building techniques, and receive expert tips on choosing and delivering audition speeches and monologues.
Dal Gafael (2024)
Who are we looking for?
Committed and passionate performers aged 16–22 who live or study full-time in Wales or born in Wales looking to take the next step on their theatre journey.
You may be:
Studying drama or performance at school or college
Training at drama school and preparing for the next step
Involved in youth theatre or musical theatre, or;
A passionate creative interested in storytelling, theatre-making or backstage skills.
National Youth Arts Wales offer free auditions to anyone who can’t afford the £25 audition fee, with no questions asked. Our Bursary Fund also helps cover membership fees, so that no-one is deterred from applying for financial reasons.
What do our members say?
"Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, everyone is supporting you and wants you to learn and grow."
"It's a really friendly audition. Just a few hours of building and workshopping before going to a see a panel to do your speech.”
Your Stage Awaits - Celebrate 50 years of National Youth Theatre of Wales and help shape the future of Welsh theatre. Book an audition today.
For audition dates and more information, head to nyaw.org.uk/nytw-2026