We are looking for young performers who are excellent actors and singers for a new production of Roald Dahl’s The Witches at the National Theatre.
We are currently looking for three roles:
Luke: Male, playing age 9-11, must be a confident actor and solo singer. An adventurer who is brave and cannot wait to grow up and make his own decisions.
Bruno: Male, playing age 9-11, must be a confident actor and solo singer, tap dancing experience is a bonus! A very smart and funny character, he always manages to get what he wants. Likely to grow up to be Chancellor of the Exchequer!
Ensemble: Looking for fantastic actors, singers and dancers for this brilliant new show. Looking for really characterful young performers who’ll enjoy the challenge of creating a new musical! Open to all age 9-12.
To apply for this opportunity you must:
- Live within 1 hour travel time of the National Theatre, London (SE1 9PX)
- Be aged between 9-13 years on 4 September 2023
- Be fully available to be part of a production between September 2023 – February 2024
If you fit the brief and would like to apply please complete this form by 10am on Monday 1 May with your details and a private YouTube link.
We will get back to all respondents by the end of June. We’re anticipating a high volume of applications and are really looking forward to hearing from you but please only apply once. If you applied via the open call in February you do not need to apply again. Unfortunately, we will not be able to consider applications made via email or post.
We’d love to hear from young performers from all backgrounds.
What to film for your video
For the video, we’d like to see you do two things:
Reading a story
- We’d like you to record yourself reading a bit of a favourite story – ideally something that is in the first person.
- We’d love to see you really enjoy the storytelling and share it like it’s your story, and that what happened in it has happened to you.
- This should be somewhere between 90 seconds and 2 minutes.
Song of choice
- We’d also like to hear a bit of a song. It can be anything from pop music to musical theatre, just something you enjoy singing and feel comfortable with.
- We don’t need to hear the whole song, a verse and chorus is probably about right, it doesn’t need to be more than 1 minute.
Tips for your video recording
- Ask a parent or guardian to check they’re happy for you to apply
- Pick a story and song that you love
- Get an older sibling/parent/guardian/friend to help film your story and song
- You can tape this using a video camera or the camera on a phone or laptop
- It does not need to be professional quality, but the sound and image need to be clear
- If filming on a phone be sure to film in landscape and not portrait, and make sure the room you’re in is bright enough to see you clearly
- Ensure background noise is kept to a minimum, so we can hear you clearly and that the camera is at eye level
- Please film in a mid-close shot, this means we should be able to see from your chest to the top of your head
- You’re welcome to sit or stand, whatever feels comfortable for you
- Try to find a plain background to film against
- You do not need to have learnt the lines and you’re welcome to have your book in front of you
FAQs
Why do I have to be between 9-13?
Because the characters in the show are that age.
Why do I have to live within an hour of the National Theatre?
As rehearsals and performances will be at the National Theatre, we need to make sure that our young performers won’t be having to get up too early to get to us or be arriving home too late. We’re sorry if this means you’re not able to apply this time.
What does ‘fully available’ mean?
You’ll need to be available to come to the National Theatre at any point between the start of rehearsals in September and the end of the show in February. You won’t be needed full time in rehearsals and will share the performances with other young performers, so you will have days off, but you can’t take on any other work as an actor across that period or go away on holiday.
Will I have to miss school?
It’s really important to us that any young performers who work at the National Theatre are able to keep up with their schoolwork. You will have to miss some school to attend rehearsals and performances, but we’ll make sure this will never be more than the agreed minimum hours set by the child employment regulations.
Do I need professional experience?
No. You might have put on plays in your kitchen, or school assembly or worked professionally – we’re keen to hear from all young performers who are great singers and actors and fit the brief for one of the three roles, live within an hour’s travel of the National Theatre, and are fully available for the production.
When do I need to apply by?
The application form will be live until 10am on Wednesday 1 February. You can apply at any point before this but applications will close after this date.
How do I upload my video?
You should upload your video to YouTube. You can do this on a web browser or on the app. Hosting it on your YouTube account allows you to have full control of the video. We recommend you make the video private and then on the desktop version of the site share this with ntopencall@gmail.com before adding the link to the form. This means only you and the National Theatre can see the video. YouTube has lots of helpful guides on how to navigate this but we’ve found the easiest way, once you’ve uploaded your video, is to:
- Head to https://studio.youtube.com/
- On the left hand side of the screen click ‘content’
- This will take you to a new screen which includes the video you’ve just uploaded
- Under ‘Visibility’ please select ‘Private’
- Then click ‘Share Privately’
- Add ntopencall@gmail.com to the list of invitees. Please note this email address is not monitored so any emails sent to this address will not be read.
- Click ‘Done’
- Once this is done your link is ready to share via the application form. You can find the link by hovering next to your video thumbnail, clicking the three dots, and selecting ‘Get shareable link’
If I have an agent, should they apply?
Everyone needs to apply via this form. If you have an agent there is space to include their details.
When will I hear back?
We will update all applicants by the end of February 2023.
Do I need a work permit or license?
If you are successful and get cast in the production the National Theatre will apply for a performing licence on your behalf. Child working regulations mean you cannot work without one.
Will I need a chaperone?
If you are required to attend an in person audition or are cast in the production and need to attend rehearsals and performances, you will need a parent/guardian to take you to the National Theatre, but they will not have to stay with you. When at the National Theatre you will always be with a DBS checked member of staff or, in the case of rehearsals and performances, you will always have a licensed chaperone with you.
If I’m successful, how much time will I need to be at the National Theatre?
If you are cast in the show you may be required to attend rehearsals and performances up to five days a week. Rehearsals and performances are held Monday – Saturday. You will have to miss some school to attend rehearsals and performances, but we’ll make sure this will never be more than the agreed minimum hours set by the child employment regulations.
Will I be paid?
Yes, all young performers will be paid in line with our Equity agreement.
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