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.