Residential Performance Activity FAQ
What is the 2025 Residential programme?
What is different about the 2025 auditions?
If I was part of the 2024 performance company will I have to re-audition in 2025?
What happens at the audition registration?
What do I need to bring to the audition?
What should I not bring to the audition?
Can I bring a mobile phone to the audition?
I am a part of London Children’s Ballet Main Company. When should I audition?
If I was 18 in 2024 will I be able to take part in 2025?
I can no longer attend the audition, will I receive a refund?
Photo (c) Lachlan Monaghan
What is the 2025 Residential Programme?
NYB’s Residential Performance Company 2025 will be held at Elmhurst Ballet School for 7-days (6 nights), from Sunday 10 August 2025 – Saturday 16 August 2025 inclusive.
NYB will hold seven auditions from January to March 2025 in London (two locations), Bath, Newcastle, Birmingham, Leeds, and online (Zoom).
The 2025 residency is a standalone experience which culminates in a sharing of work for an invited audience of friends, family and highly esteemed industry professionals in the Elmhurst Studio Theatre.
It offers the opportunity to:
- Understand how it feels to be part of an inclusive ballet company
- Build confidence and resilience through NYB’s Moving Minds sessions
- Take part in daily company classes with an inspiring range of teachers
- Learn and perform two pieces of new work or NYB repertoire
- Gain insight into the creative processes of esteemed professional choreographers, as well as working with up-and-coming artists through NYB’s Beyond Ballet® scheme
- Develop valuable performance skills by participating in a performance for friends, family, and a range of industry professionals
- Gain valuable industry insights with Q+A’s and workshops with well known guests
- Explore their own choreographic voice by participating in our in-house Frank Freeman choreographic challenge, which will be in the presence of special guests from the ballet industry. The competition has previously been adjudicated by artists including David Bintley, Tyrone Singleton and Vidya Patel
- Become part of the NYB family and build lifelong connections with other like minded dancers
What is different about the 2025 auditions?
This year will be the same as 2024. We made the decision to keep our model of only one round of auditions because we want to reduce the travel costs for families, compared with our previous preliminary-plus-final audition model. This means that dancers will attend one audition, and will then hear from us, by email, in April 2025 to find out if we are able to offer them a place. We hope this will make our auditions more accessible. Please note that all auditions will be filmed for internal use only.
If I was part of the 2024 performance company will I have to re-audition to be a part of the performance company in 2025?
Yes, you will need to re-audition for the 2025 company.
Auditions are an important part of a young dancers’ development and all of our auditions are marked against a set of criteria.
For the NYB team, there are many reasons why it is important for us to see young people at auditions, even if they were previously in the company. We want to meet as many young dancers as we can in person so we can give a fair and equal opportunity to everyone. We know how much progress people can make in a year, and we want to make sure we take into account any development that has been made.
Photo (c) Lachlan Monaghan
Can I audition online?
Yes, we have an online audition option for those who are unable to attend in person. Dancers attending the zoom audition will also be required to record and send us footage of particular exercises (we will send instructions), in order to be consistent with the in-person auditions.
We encourage dancers to audition in person if at all possible.
What happens at the audition registration?
- Registrations will take place in the main foyer of the venue
- You should come ready to dance with appropriate clothing over your dance-wear and your hair ready for ballet class
- You will be given an audition number and safety pins to secure the number
- Students will not be permitted to leave the building until their audition class is finished so please make sure you have enough water and nut-free snacks to keep you going before and after class.
Photo (c) Lachlan Monaghan
What do I need to bring to the audition?
- Reusable water bottle (can be refilled if needed)
- Dancewear- Leotard/Tights/Socks/Skirt/Shorts (all items must be clearly named)
- Warm up clothes
- Flat ballet shoes
- Pointe shoes (if already working en pointe)
- Named Bag suitable for carrying dance-wear, shoes, etc. to classes.
What should I not bring?
Please do not bring nuts, or products containing nuts. NYB is a Nut-Free zone
Photo (c) Sean Purser
Can I bring a mobile phone to the audition?
Mobile phones are permitted but should not be used in the studio at any time. You are welcome to take photographs for your memories and to record your day, but please take these outside of the building and be mindful not to take photographs of other young dancers without their parent/carer’s permission.
I am a part of London Children’s Ballet Main Company. When should I audition?
For those taking part in London Children’s Ballet Main Company, Sunday 23 February 2025 has been mutually agreed by both organisations to avoid any potential rehearsal clashes. We kindly ask any dancer involved in LCB, who also wishes to audition for NYB, to please attend the NYB auditions on Sunday 23 February 2025.
Photo (c) Lachlan Monaghan
If I was 18 in 2024 will I be able to take part in 2025?
Unfortunately not, our maximum age for the 2025 season is 18.
Can I pay by instalments?
The audition fee cannot be paid in instalments. However if you are successful in gaining a place it will be possible to pay the fee for the residential in three instalments, with the final instalment due prior to the RPC. Further details will be published to successful applicants.
Photo (c) Lachlan Monaghan
I can no longer attend the audition, will I receive a refund?
Audition fees are non-refundable. We will try, wherever possible, to accommodate you either at another face-to-face audition or at the online audition.
Will the auditions be filmed?
All auditions will be filmed/photographed for internal use only. If you have any questions about this please email admin@nationalyouthballet.org
Photo (c) Sean Purser