From Welsh Stages to Hollywood Screens: Ruth Jones Leads Celebrations as National Youth Theatre of Wales Turns 50

The National Youth Theatre of Wales (NYTW) is launching a year-long anniversary campaign celebrating fifty years of ambitious theatre-making, creativity and opportunity for young people across Wales.

NYTW50: Reconnect. Celebrate. Shape the Future. will bring together generations of former members, current participants, supporters and audiences to celebrate the productions, people and stories that have shaped the organisation since its beginnings.

Launching the campaign is acclaimed writer, actor and producer Ruth Jones, one of NYTW's most celebrated alumni, who is inviting former members from every decade to reconnect with the organisation and share their memories, photographs and stories.

Ruth Jones, NYTW Alumni and Campaign Ambassador, said:

"For over 50 years, the National Youth Theatre of Wales has been a place where journeys begin. It's where so many of us first found our place in theatre, whether that was on stage, backstage, in the rehearsal room, in the director's chair, or shaping the work from behind the scenes.

"NYTW didn't just teach us skills. It set a standard—a belief in excellence, professionalism and ambition—and the confidence to meet it. It gave us community and helped us understand what kind of theatre professional we wanted to be.

"Now, NYTW is inviting us, its alumni, to be part of what happens next. To reconnect with old friends and collaborators, to celebrate the experiences that shaped us and, if we're able, to help open those same doors for the next generation of Welsh theatre makers—on stage, behind the scenes and everywhere across theatre."

Ruth Jones by Jordan Sheehy Videography

For over fifty years, NYTW has created ambitious productions, nurtured young talent and provided opportunities for young people to perform, collaborate and develop their creative skills. Many former members have gone on to successful careers across theatre, television, film and the wider creative industries, while countless others have carried their NYTW experiences into every area of life.

From mounting bold reinterpretations of classic works to championing entirely original new productions, NYTW has created unforgettable art that has fundamentally become part of the story of Welsh theatre.

Beyond the technical skills learned, these milestone productions are remembered for the lifelong friendships formed, the immense confidence gained and the creative possibilities they unlocked for thousands of young people.

A Pipeline of Global Talent

Look at the credits of the UK's biggest cultural exports and you will find NYTW's DNA. The organisation's alumni roster features the likes of:

• Matthew Rhys (The Americans, Perry Mason)

• Rakie Ayola (The Pact, Anthony)

• Michael Sheen (Good Omens, Frost/Nixon)

• Morfydd Clark (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power)

• Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, It's a Sin)

Beyond the household names on screen, NYTW has helped shape the wider theatre industry in Wales and beyond. Alumni include Manon Steffan Ros , the Welsh novelist, playwright and broadcaster and Daniel Evans, Co-Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, alongside directors, producers, writers, designers, educators and arts leaders working across the BBC, S4C and major UK touring companies.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, NYTW is launching a nationwide call-out for alumni stories, production memories, photographs, programmes and archive material, helping to create a living record of five decades of theatre-making in Wales.

Throughout the year, the campaign will share alumni stories, celebrate landmark productions and create opportunities for former members and current participants to connect, share experiences and celebrate their contribution to Welsh cultural life.

The anniversary programme will culminate in a major celebration event later in the year and a future-focused performance project in Summer 2027.

The campaign will also launch the Cylch Alumni Circle, a new alumni network designed to strengthen connections between past and present members, alongside the Play Your Part: 50 More Years Fund, helping to support the future of theatre in Wales.

Megan Childs, Head of Theatre and National Youth Theatre of Wales Producer, said:

"NYTW has always been about bringing exceptional young people together to create ambitious theatre. For fifty years we've told extraordinary stories on stages across Wales while helping generations of young people discover their creative voice. As we celebrate this milestone, we're looking ahead with the same ambition: to create space for even more stories to be told, more voices to be heard and more young people, from every background and every part of Wales, to discover that they belong on our stages. That's the future we're celebrating and the future we're building together."

Former members, supporters and friends of NYTW are invited to reconnect and become part of the anniversary celebrations by sharing their stories, memories and photographs, and by joining the growing NYTW alumni community. Follow @nationalyouththeatrewales and @nationalyouthartswales on Instagram and visit the National Youth Arts Wales website https://www.nyaw.org.uk/nytw-50 for campaign updates, anniversary events and ways to get involved. Whether you performed on stage, worked behind the scenes or supported the company in any way, NYTW wants to hear your story.

National Youth Theatre of Wales 2026 Members Announced

We're excited to reveal the National Youth Theatre of Wales 2026 Membership! 

Exceptional young performers from every corner of Wales and beyond, all sharing a creative drive that embodies the ambition and spirit of NYTW.  

This talented group of returning members and new faces will work with us across our Ensemble and Profession al Pathways programmes, taking part in exceptional skills and theatre-making residencies and be at the heart of developing NYTW's landmark 50th anniversary production. 

“What our audition tour of Wales revealed earlier this year is that Wales’s cultural and creative future is in safe and exciting hands. These 50 young people all bring an extraordinary appetitive to grow their practice and share their talent as members of Wales’s National Youth Theatre.  I can’t wait to get in the room with them alongside our industry professional teams and partners to celebrate NYTW turning 50 and shape the vision for the next 50!” - Megan Childs, Producer and Head of Theatre at National Youth Arts Wales

Keep your eyes peeled for creative team announcements soon...

National Youth Arts Wales Members Celebrate Success at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Ynys Môn 2026

National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) is delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our members at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Ynys Môn 2026. Across music and drama performance competitions, our members secured an impressive number of first, second and third-place awards, demonstrating the exceptional skill, creativity and dedication of young musicians and performers from across Wales.  

Congratulations to all members who competed and represented their communities with distinction! 
 

Eisteddfod yr Urdd Ynys Môn 2026 winners - NYAW members: 
 

National Youth Brass Band of Wales members  

• Brass Solo – Under 19s: 1st - Gruffydd Siôn, 2nd - Iestyn Seiriol, and 3rd - Meilir Tudur Davies  

• Guitar Solo - Yrs.10 and under 19 years old: 1st - Meilir Tudur Davies 

• Percussion Solo - Yrs.10 and under 19 years old: 2nd – Catrin-Alaw Gwilliam  
   

National Youth Choir of Wales members 

• Sir Bryn Terfel Award - Solo, 19-25 year olds: 2nd - Leisa Mair Lloyd-Edwards 

• S/A - Yrs.10 and under 19 years old: 1st – Mared Eos Phillips, 2nd - Celyn Richards, and 3rd - Beca Hogg 

• Folk Song Solo - Yrs.10 and under 19 years old: 2nd - Celyn Richards 

• Cerdd Dant Solo - Yrs.10 and under 19 years old: 1st – Gwenno Beech, 2nd - Celyn Richards, and 3rd - Ela Mablen Griffith-Jones 

• Individual Recitation - Yrs.10 and under 19 years old: 1st - Gwenno Beech 

• Performance of a Musical Song Yrs.10 and under 19 years old: 2nd - Mared Eos Phillips 
   

Heledd Wyn Newton. Photo: Kirsten McTernan

National Youth Orchestra of Wales members

• Main Composer: 1st - Heledd Wyn Newton  

• Rakhi Singh Award - Instrumental, 19-25 year olds: 2nd - Carwyn Lloyd 

• Woodwind Solo Yrs.10 and under 19 years old: 1st – Owen Frohawk, and 3rd - Alys Lavery 

• String Solo (with the exception of guitar) - Yrs. 10 and under 19 years old: 1st - Tanwen Lloyd  

National Youth Theatre of Wales members

• The Drama Medal: Glain Llwyd

• Matthew Rhys Award - monologue, 19-25 year olds: 1st - Jona Milone 

• Performance of a Musical Song 19-25 years old: 3rd - Miriam Llwyd Davies  
  
  

National Youth Arts Wales is incredibly proud of every member who took part in this year’s festival. Their success reflects not only their talent and commitment, but also the strength of youth arts provision across Wales. Congratulations! 

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 

National Youth Theatre of Wales Offers Free Audition Taster supported by Wales Millennium Centre

Calling all young performers in South Wales looking to take their first step into becoming a member of the National Youth Theatre of Wales!  

National Youth Theatre of Wales (NYTW) have announced a free Audition Taster Workshop - on Sunday 15 February, 1–3pm, at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff - giving young performers the chance to get audition-ready.  

The session invites 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. 

Those booked on will also meet recent NYTW members, offering first-hand insight into the ensemble and its audition process. 

Auditions to join the NYTW as a member in its 50th year will be happening across Wales in March and April – with auditions tour dates for booking to be launched on 14 January 2026. If you love performing and want to take the next step of auditioning for the ensemble, NYTW are encouraging young people to try something new.

The event is free to attend, and no prior audition experience is required. Spaces are limited and organisers encourage booking early. 

This event is kindly supported by Wales Millennium Centre.