Who gets to tell the stories? And who gets to be in them?

In Episode 6 of Open House, the official NYMT podcast, host David Grant and NYMT Young Company member Tochi Arinze are joined by two extraordinary artists who are actively shaping what the future of musical theatre looks and feels like.

Georgina Onuorah is a two-time Olivier Award-nominated actress, recognised for her performances in Shucked and Brigadoon at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, as well as her landmark portrayal of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the Leicester Curve and the London Palladium. Christopher Tendai is a choreographer, movement director and founder of CTC Dance Company, whose work spans the West End, the RSC and beyond — most recently as Associate Choreographer on All Is But A Fantasy at the Other Place.

Together, they talk candidly about representation, tokenism, the stories that still aren't being told, and what it really takes to feel seen on stage — and behind the scenes.

In this episode:

 * Georgina's double Olivier nomination — and the screaming in a Kings Cross coffee shop that followed
 * Playing Dorothy as a young Black woman, and the messages from young girls who felt seen
 * The real conversations about hair, wigs and what it means to bring your whole self to a role
 * Christopher's journey from drama school to choreographer — and why he founded his own dance company
 * Why diversity on stage isn't enough without diversity in the creative team
 * What stories we need to be telling more of — including forgotten Black-led musicals from the 1940s and 50s
 * Tochi's powerful reflection on representation, belonging and what NYMT has meant to her journey
 * Why, in Chris's words: "It's not that hard"

Guests:
Georgina Onuorah – NYMT alumna, two-time Olivier Award-nominated actress
Christopher Tendai – choreographer, movement director and founder of CTC Dance Company

Hosts:
David Grant – NYMT Associate Producer
Tochi Arinze – NYMT Young Company member and co-host

Follow / find out more:N YMT: nymt.org.uk | Instagram & TikTok: @NYMTuk

Olivier Nominations, Open Doors & Bringing Back the Boom Cat: Representation in Musical Theatre

What if the skills you build in youth theatre don't just prepare you for the stage — but for a life you never saw coming?

In this episode of Open House, the official NYMT podcast, host David and NYMT Young Company member Tash Werblow are joined by three NYMT alumni who've each carved out a remarkable path beyond performance.

Robin Franklin is completing his PhD in American history at Princeton University, where his love of musical theatre led him to specialise in the cultural history of LGBT life. Adam Hepworth is the Singing Physio — a professional performer turned vocal physiotherapist who has just completed a year on the Mary Poppins UK tour. And Cathy Tate is a wardrobe and costume designer with decades of experience across theatre, film and television, including work on the Matilda film.

Together, they explore the crossroads that so many young performers face — and why following more than one passion might just be the best decision you ever make.

In this episode:

 * How Robin went from NYMT stages to Princeton's lecture halls — via American musical theatre
 * Adam's journey from performer to specialist vocal physiotherapist, and why he retrained at 30
 * Cathy's 40+ years in theatrical costume and what the industry has lost since she started
 * Why the skills you build in theatre — resilience, empathy, collaboration — travel further than you think
 * The impact of COVID on backstage careers and the freelance workforce
 * Why theatre isn't just for performers, and the huge range of roles that surround a production
 * Honest advice for young people at a career crossroads

Guests:
Robin Franklin – NYMT alumnus and PhD candidate in American history at Princeton University
Adam Hepworth – NYMT alumnus, performer and specialist vocal physiotherapist (The Singing Physio)
Cathy Tate – NYMT alumna, wardrobe and costume designer across theatre, film and TV

Hosts:
David Grant – NYMT Associate Producer
Tash Werblow – NYMT Young Company member and co-host

Follow / find out more:
NYMT: nymt.org.uk | Instagram & TikTok: @NYMTuk
Tash: @tashwerblow
David: @david.z.uk
Adam: @singingphysio

Beyond the Stage: The Careers You Never Expected Musical Theatre to Lead To

What happens when musical theatre meets social media, and suddenly your self-tapes, songs and creative ideas are being watched by thousands of people online?

In Episode 4 of Open House, the official NYMT podcast, host David is joined by NYMT alumni Lois Chapman and John Richmond to explore the world of social media and musical theatre.

From building an online audience and creating content as a performer to balancing training, creativity and public visibility, Lois and John share their experiences of growing platforms while finding their place in the industry. They reflect on the opportunities social media can create, the pressures that come with it, and how it can be used to inspire, connect and open doors for young performers.

They also look back on their time with NYMT, how youth theatre shaped their confidence and creativity, and why having the right support around you can make such a difference both online and off.

A must-listen for aspiring performers, NYMT members, theatre lovers and anyone interested in how social media is changing the musical theatre world.

In this episode:
What social media can offer young performers and creatives
How Lois built a large online platform through performance-based content
Why John created The Drama School Podcast
The challenges of balancing training, performing and content creation
How social media can make theatre feel more accessible
The pressures, negativity and mental health side of posting online
Advice on sharing rehearsal, class and behind-the-scenes content
How NYMT helped shape their confidence and creative journeys

Guests:
Lois Chapman – NYMT alumna, performer and content creator
John Richmond – NYMT alumnus, drama school student and creator of The Drama School Podcast

Host:
David Grant – NYMT Associate Producer

Follow / find out more:
NYMT: nymt.org.uk
Instagram: @NYMTuk
TikTok: @nymtuk
Lois: @loismiaa
John: @itsjohnrichmond
The Drama School Podcast: @dramaschoolpodcast
David: @david.z.uk
Urdang Drama School: urdang.citystgeorges.ac.uk/

Open House Ep. 4: Social Media and Musical Theatre with Lois Chapman and John Richmond

What do you get when a golden buzzer magician and a sell-out musical comedian walk into a podcast? This week's Open House.

In Episode 3 of Open House, the official NYMT podcast, host David and NYMT Young Company member Toby are joined by two exceptional NYMT alumni who have carved out truly unique paths in the performing arts.

Rafferty Coope recently received KSI's Golden Buzzer on Britain's Got Talent 2026 for his jaw-dropping fusion of magic and live music — and he's just been invited to perform in Las Vegas this August. Anna Hale is a musical comedian and songwriter whose debut solo show Control Freak sold out, and who has co-written material for RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World.

Together, they talk about breaking out of the box, combining unexpected skill sets, and why following your curiosity might just be the most important thing a young performer can do.

In this episode:

 * Rafferty's behind-the-scenes story of the BGT Golden Buzzer moment
 * How Anna found her voice as a musical comedian and songwriter
 * Why performers are often pressured to "pick a lane" — and why you shouldn't
 * The art of keeping an audience on their toes with music and comedy
 * Collaborating with Kate Butch and writing for RuPaul's Drag Race
 * What it really takes to produce your own solo show
 * How NYMT helped both guests build the confidence and professionalism to reach these moments
 * A Vegas exclusive — heard here first

Guests:
Rafferty Coope – NYMT alumnus, magician, musician and BGT 2026 Golden Buzzer act
Anna Hale – NYMT alumna, musical comedian, songwriter and creator of Control Freak

Hosts:
David Grant – NYMT Associate Producer
Toby – NYMT Young Company member and co-host

Follow / find out more:NYMT: nymt.org.uk | Instagram & TikTok: @NYMTuk
Rafferty: @raffertycoope
Anna: @allhaleanna

From NYMT to Britain's Got Talent: Magic, Musical Comedy & Making Your Own Lane with Rafferty Coope and Anna Hale

What role does youth theatre play in shaping us, not just as performers, but as people?

In Episode 2 of Open House, the official NYMT podcast, host David and NYMT Young Company member Abbie Palliser Kehoe are joined by Craig Randle from Birmingham Hippodrome and Matthew Hawksworth from Chichester Festival Theatre to explore the impact of regional youth theatre.

From school productions and first performances to local youth theatre groups and professional arts venues, Craig and Matthew reflect on their own journeys into theatre and the role youth theatre plays in building confidence, creativity, friendships and life skills. They also discuss accessibility, training, community, and the many different pathways young people can take into the arts, both on stage and behind the scenes.

They also share how youth theatre can open doors, support personal growth and help young people find a sense of belonging, whether or not they go on to work professionally in the industry.

A must-listen for young performers, parents, youth theatre members, educators and anyone passionate about the importance of creative opportunities for young people.

In this episode:
How Craig and Matthew first discovered theatre and youth performance
The difference youth theatre can make in a young person’s life
How to find and join a local youth theatre
Why youth theatre is about more than just performing
The life skills, confidence and friendships it can build
How Birmingham Hippodrome and Chichester Festival Theatre support young people
Why accessibility and bursaries matter in youth theatre
The different theatre careers young people can explore beyond performing

Guests:
Craig Randle – Education Manager at Birmingham Hippodrome
Matthew Hawksworth – Head of Children and Young People’s Programme at Chichester Festival Theatre

Hosts:
David Grant – NYMT Associate Producer
Abbie Palliser Kehoe – NYMT Young Company member and co-host

Follow / find out more:
NYMT: nymt.org.uk
Instagram: @NYMTuk
TikTok: @nymtUK
David: @david.z.uk
Abbie: @palliserabbie
Birmingham Hippodrome: birminghamhippodrome.com
Chichester Festival Theatre: cft.org.uk

Why Youth Theatre Matters with Craig Randle and Matthew Hawksworh

What happens when the show has started, the audience is in, and suddenly you’re told you’re going on in a completely different role?

In the first episode of Open House, the official NYMT podcast, host David and NYMT Young Company member Hannah Stobart are joined by NYMT alumni Cliona Flynn and Brian Ó Muirí to explore the fast-paced world of swings, standbys and West End covers.

From Mean Girls and Back to the Future to Cats, Book of Mormon and 42nd Street, Cliona and Brian share what it takes to stay performance-ready, cover multiple tracks, handle last-minute changes, and protect your confidence, voice and mental resilience in the world of musical theatre.

They also look back on their time with NYMT, how youth theatre helped prepare them for professional life, and why the people around you can make all the difference in building a career on stage.

A must-listen for aspiring performers, NYMT members, theatre lovers and anyone curious about what really happens behind the scenes in the West End.



In this episode:

 * What swings and standbys actually do
 * How performers prepare for emergency covers
 * The difference between ensemble tracks, cover roles and principal covers
 * Cliona’s experience covering Katie and Regina in Mean Girls
 * Brian’s experience swinging in Back to the Future, Cats and beyond
 * How NYMT helped shape their careers
 * Advice for young performers entering the industry

Guests:

 * Cliona Flynn – NYMT alumna and former standby in Mean Girls
 * Brian Ó Muirí – NYMT alumnus and currently swing in Back to the Future

Hosts:

 * David Grant – NYMT Associate Producer
 * Hannah Stobart – NYMT Young Company member and co-host

Follow / find out more:

 * NYMT: nymt.org.uk
 * Instagram: @NYMTuk
 * TikTok: @nymtUK
 * David: @david.z.uk
 * Hannah: @hannah_stobart
 * Twain socials: @TwainTwins
 * Brian: @itsbrianmurray
 * Cliona: @clionaflynn01
 * CADA: cadaperformingarts.ie

Open House Ep. 1: Swings, Standbys and West End Covers with Cliona Flynn and Brian Ó Muirí

Open House is the official podcast from the National Youth Music Theatre, celebrating over 50 years of extraordinary musical theatre for young people. Across the series, we open the door to honest conversations with NYMT alumni, industry professionals, creative teams and friends of the organisation, exploring careers, creativity and the realities of life on and off stage. From first steps in youth theatre to the West End and beyond, Open House is packed with insight, inspiration and stories from across the musical theatre world.

David

Shows