Congratulations to Upper Sixth A Level Drama & Theatre Studies student Esmé Jennings who has become a company member of the prestigious National Youth Theatre (NYT).

Esmé was one of only 500 14-17 year olds to be selected out of the 6,000 people who auditioned across the UK to take part in this year’s NYT Summer School. 

The two-week course at Goldsmith’s College involved intensive acting training, with an emphasis on physical theatre and clowning. The students had to devise their own piece on migration which they performed in front of a live audience at the end of the two weeks.

Esmé said of the programme, “Being offered a place was a real boost to my confidence. I learnt so much from the course and the experience will really help my application for drama school.”

Jake Kelly, also studying A Level Drama & Theatre Studies at Reigate College, and who did the course aged 14, agrees: “If anyone is considering acting as a career, I would really recommend it.”

As company members of the NYT, Esmé and Jake are eligible to audition for any NYT production until they are 25, and also attend NYT masterclasses. Jake has already taken part in a production in Bristol and was also selected for the centenary celebration of the Battle of the Somme in 2016. 

Both plan careers in acting and have taken every opportunity to be fully involved in the dramatic life of the College, playing leading roles in last year’s Cross College production of Vinegar Tom. They are also both on this year’s Student Union Executive.

Find out more about Performing Arts at Reigate College.