Two acting students at The Northern School of Art are following in the footsteps of actors such as Daniel Craig, Matt Smith and Zawe Ashton after winning places at the prestigious National Youth Theatre (NYT).

Second years Juho Hankela and Teigan Gardham were offered places at the world-leading youth arts organisation after taking part in the highly competitive UK-wide auditions for the 2020 intake earlier this year.

Jonny Bussell, pictured below, who is the programme leader for the BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen degree at The Northern School of Art said gaining a place in the NYT is a great springboard into the industry.

“We’re absolutely delighted that out of the thousands of people who audition for the National Youth Theatre two of our current second year students have been chosen.

“Teigan and Juho have both worked really hard during their time with us and the progress both have made has been great to see. As part of the NYT they’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills and work with a wide range of different practitioners.

“I was lucky enough to join the NYT when I was 17 and it was a major factor in my development, it also gave me a big confidence boost and was a great experience.  I’m sure both Teigan and Juho will get loads from their time working with the tutors there.”

The NYT auditions take place over a full day and Teigan Gardham, pictured above, said she really enjoyed the process and was thrilled to have been selected: “It was really fun and exciting.  I was absolutely over the moon and I felt extremely grateful to be offered a place and I’m excited to meet creatives like myself from all across the UK and take advantage of the many opportunities that the NYT will bring.”

Teigan added: “My acting degree course is helping me develop the skills needed to able to audition for such things as the NYT. If it wasn’t for the training I’m currently receiving from the School, I don’t think I would had the confidence to audition.”

Juho Hankela also credited his training with helping him stay calm during his audition: “Without the training I’ve received from my tutors I doubt I would have been able to be as calm in the situation as I was, neither could I have performed my monologue to the standard that I did.

“It was also a very relaxed as well as lovely and supportive atmosphere which was a fun afternoon creating and sharing work with other talented young artists.”

Juho added: “I’m looking forward to getting to meet and make connections and art with all the other brilliant and talented actors and artists from across Britain and the world. Also, hopefully, to get cast in an NYT production in the future.”

Designed to provide students with a drama school style experience outside of London by industry professionals, The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Acting for Stage & Screen degree is still accepting applications for a September 2020 start.  Further details of the course are available here

An online session with the team behind the course for interested would-be acting students is being held on Wednesday 3 June from 1-3 pm.  For further details click here  Current acting degree students will also be sharing their work at 7pm that evening on the School’s Instagram Live feed.