Abbey Theatre - Amharclann na Mainistreach

When the forms for NYT arrived at my Youth Theatre and I decided to apply because I realized that this was a huge prize. I filled in the application form and sent it off thinking that I would simply turn up for the audition, do my piece and go home; that would be the end of it, a bit of auditioning experience so I’d know what was required if I were to audition for anything in the future.

NYT is more intense then my normal Youth Theatre. It’s working everyday, moving forward to a very definite goal, not to mention the sheer size of the final production. I’ve never worked with a timeline like that so it will be interesting. NYT has a far different ethos; we have a mutual goal to put on the best possible production. There is no one who is simply coming for the fun of workshops, which I’m sure we’ll enjoy, being surrounded by like minded people. NYT also appears very serious, everyone has a job to do and is working in unison to get the show on the road. In normal Youth Theatre productions are scaled down a lot so people have to multi task to get every last detail perfect.

I think this play is very interesting as it’s a whole new concept of theatre. In a lot of productions, the plot is based on true or possible events and A Dream Play just goes away from the normal, run of the mill plays as it explores human nature in the aspects of a dream, which can take any form. I think it is very important for young people as they are the playwrights, directors and actors of tomorrow and they need to experience as much different theatre as possible to be able to grasp any challenge placed in front of them and hopefully inspire some budding young writers to develop any unusual ideas they may have had as Strindberg shows us, even the oddest of odd has its place.

I expect that we will be worked to the bone as these productions take hours of work, rehearsal and organisation, and we will really need to be on form to cope with these pressures. I expect to be a more motivated person at the end of it. I have a set goal, something to achieve, something to aim for and a group around me whom I am determined to support. I hope to be a better person at the end of this process, with some major, unbelievable experience under my belt and some excellent friends. I have tried to keep my expectations within reason to be awestruck when reason is forgotten. I intend to finish the project, give every moment my all and love every second.

I think NYT is hugely important! I can only hope when youth theatre members come to the show that they realize that we were in their position a year ago and that with the right work they can be in the next National Youth Theatre Production. As acting is quite a tough field to break into I think it is a huge amount of experience to give someone with the desire to venture into the world of theatre as youth theatre productions don’t come much bigger. I think it is also important to showcase the talent Ireland has in its young people and I can’t think of a better way to prove to the world how much we have and how much we can give. It is very important to show the Youth Theatres of Ireland what they can achieve and hopefully give them something to aim for. I also think it is an important national event, and something after being involved in, I will want to see in future years.

Ben Naughton.
Age 16, Boolabus Youth Theatre
Dún Laoghaire