After a successful audition, Aurora has been invited to join the National Youth Theatre – an outstanding achievement that reflects both her talent and dedication. With only around 8% of applicants accepted each year, gaining a place is no small feat. As a member, she will have access to a range of exciting creative opportunities across stage and screen, as well as the potential to perform with the prestigious NYT Rep Company in the future. Aurora reflects on her passion for drama, her journey to joining the National Youth Theatre, and her ambitions for the future:

How did you feel when you found out you had been accepted into the National Youth Theatre?

I think I was in shock for about 2 hours after finding out, and just so so happy. I couldn’t believe that putting in all that work for so long had finally paid off because I think in the performing arts industry especially, it’s so hard to know if you’re going in the right direction or even getting closer to ‘your shot’ after going from 3 self-tapes in 1 week to months of no auditions at all. It’s so lovely to know that someone else believes I have potential and is willing to take a chance on my dream.

What inspired your interest in acting, and how has that passion developed during your time at school?

I have always loved performing and I truly think nothing beats that feeling when the lights dim, the audience quietens and you’re just waiting in the wings with butterflies in your stomach. Since I was little, I’ve been dancing and belting ‘Let It Go’ around the kitchen, although I only discovered my passion for acting much later and have been obsessed ever since. 

Playing Babette (the feather duster) in ‘Beauty & The Beast’, really encouraged me to go over the top and just ‘give it everything’, which I can honestly say was the most fun I’ve ever had performing and I still have post-show depression over.

 In what ways has the school supported you in pursuing your ambitions in drama?

Since joining Freemen’s in September as a Drama scholar, I’ve been so lucky with many opportunities to perform and have loved every second of it. From ‘Beauty & The Beast’, to Theatre Club, to National Theatre Connections’ ‘Fishville’, to ‘Hercules’ for House Drama (and many others), I have made the most incredible memories and been able to develop my skills so much with the help of my amazing teachers – Mrs Ball, Mrs McCullagh and Mr Knights. I have also loved drawing on my dance background to help with my physical theatre exploration in A Level Drama, and I won’t forget the amount of times I’ve been told to ‘make it less dance-y’.

What was the audition process like, and what do you think helped you stand out?

There was a day-long audition back in January which mainly included vocal & physical exploration, ensemble work, and devising in the morning with around 30 others and 2 NYT creatives. Then, I had a one-to-one session with one of the NYT creatives to perform my prepared monologue, receive constructive criticism and reshape it with a different intention/focus. I performed my Rosie monologue from ‘Things I Know To Be True’ which has got to be one of my favourites! I viewed the audition as more of a workshop and didn’t overthink it too much as I always like to remind myself, ‘Why am I nervous? This is literally what I love doing’; I had such a fun day and was open to trying everything and making a fool of myself, which may have helped me to stand out.

What are your future aspirations, and how do you hope this opportunity will shape your journey?

My dream is to perform on stage as a lead in a musical theatre show (Jenna in ‘Waitress’ is the dream role so fingers crossed) and I cannot wait to make more contacts within the industry through NYT castings, workshops and meetings that hopefully put me one step closer to this. I will be auditioning for MT and Acting degree courses at drama schools and performing arts colleges at the end of this year, and hopefully one day you’ll see me on Broadway or the West End!!