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Open House Ep. 4: Social Media and Musical Theatre with Lois Chapman and John Richmond
61 Plays2 months ago
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/
Recommended
Transcript
Social Media's Impact on Musical Theatre
00:00:00
Speaker
One minute you're singing, choreographing a routine and making self-tapes at home to show to friends or family. And the next, you have thousands of views, comments, and everyone thinks they're an expert. Likes, shares, and comments at the ready as we look at social media and musical theatre. Is it a duet that together sing in perfect harmony or is it not quite as easy as it seems?
NYMT 50th Anniversary Podcast Introduction
00:00:22
Speaker
We're deep diving into the world of social media in musical theatre today for our episode on the and NYMT podcast Open House. It's the podcast that brings you insight and inspiration from a whole host of incredible guests and friends of and NYMT and the world of theatre and it's in celebration of our fiftieth
00:00:41
Speaker
anniversary, the 50th anniversary of and
Meet the Guests: John Richmond and Lois Chapman
00:00:44
Speaker
NYMT. And you can find out even more about our 2026 season on the socials at NYMT UK or online, nymt.org.uk. And I'm delighted to be hosting this episode. And we've got two fabulous guests joining us for our episode today, talking all things social media. First up, we have the sensational John Richmond, He has founded, produced and presents his very own podcast, the Drama School podcast, currently training at Erdang.
00:01:15
Speaker
Very much all things social media and growing his own platform as he goes into the world of theatre. And he's done MYMT for five years, five years. Five years of NYMT, absolutely sensational. Cannot wait to hear more from John. And we are so excited. So welcome to the podcast, the absolute sensation, the social media sensation, an incredibly talented actress that is Lois
First Memories of Youth Theatre
00:01:39
Speaker
Chapman. who did and NYMT. Gosh, she did seven productions of NYMT, not forgetting a workshop as well. She's been content creating since 2019, my friends, 2019, and now has a combined social media following of over, not one, but over 2 million. It's extraordinary. We're so delighted to have them both on the show. This is our Open House podcast series produced by NYMT.
00:02:15
Speaker
Hello and welcome John and Lois. How are you both? What an introduction. That was crazy. I'm so good. so I'm obsessed. Hi. How are you? you well?
00:02:26
Speaker
I'm good. How are you Oh, I'm really well. John, how are you doing? I'm brilliant. I'm brilliant. Look, at he's buzzing. He's absolutely buzzing. I mean, i hope you didn't mind the
Recent Performances and Challenges
00:02:37
Speaker
ah the gutting introduction, but it has to be done because you two really are such fabulously talented creatives and performers out in the industry. And we're so proud to call you both NYMT alumni. We're going to be chatting all things social media, your careers, ah musical theatre and more throughout the episode. I can't wait to get stuck in. But for now, I would love to hear from you guys. If you cast your mind back, what is your first memory of youth theatre or theatre in your youth? Theatre when you were young, when you can barely remember your first experience of those bright lights and or perhaps taking those first steps onto a stage. John, I'm going kick off with you.
00:03:22
Speaker
Off you go. Okay. Well, for me, i have a very, very clear memory of sitting, i think it was in a theatre in
Creative Growth During the Pandemic
00:03:31
Speaker
Liverpool, I think, watching Cats, like the UK tour of Cats, the musical. And the but performers, or Cats, would would start the show coming down...
00:03:42
Speaker
the aisles coming through the seats and I was just sitting there maybe like eight year old like, oh my gosh, this is crazy. There's cats, lights next to me. Like, oh, it was brilliant. And I think from then I realized, well, from then I thought I wanted to do gymnastics because I saw them doing backflips and thought it was brilliant. And then i changed my mind and realized, yeah, not gymnastics, it's musical theater. for Never had you down as a gymnast, but I'm impressed. I'm impressed. Yeah, I'm not going to be doing gymnastics. Don't worry. How old were you when you went to see Cats?
00:04:14
Speaker
I think I was like eight, nine, maybe. don't know. Something like that. Incredible. And Lois, how about you? What was your first memory of youth theatre? I think for me in primary school... um i never I never used to get a main part in every school play, never did, always really wanted to And um I was just like star number number two or something in like the nativity and no one knew their lines and it used to really bother me. And I remember saving the day by pretty much having a conversation with myself um as Mary and Joseph, yet I'm the star and just like cutting in for everyone because they
Social Media as a Creative Platform
00:04:53
Speaker
were deer in headlights. And I'm like, this is your line, this is your line, this is your line. And I was like,
00:04:58
Speaker
That was actually really fun to have a solo line for once. It wasn't mine, but it was my first time actually um saying something solo and I liked it. And you got hooked. I like it. I said a solo and I liked it. a quote. Is that Katy Perry? Something like that. I mean, and my name has the word, you know, you can't have solo without low. yes. I love that. You can't have solo without low. So, John, NYMT, you've done it for many, many years. What was the most recent production you were involved in? Tell us a bit about it.
00:05:32
Speaker
Okay, so I'm a bit of a quirky one. I have been doing the platform productions. So I guess the most recent one was with Hannah Chizik and David Randall. um And we were basically just celebrating the last 50 years of NYMT. So we did...
00:05:52
Speaker
I guess you'd just call it like a cabaret, I guess, of just different songs from 50 years of NYMT. Put them on stage at the other palace, performed, I think we did two shows, um
Starting a Drama School Podcast
00:06:06
Speaker
and just, yeah, i had a blast doing that.
00:06:08
Speaker
I think it was more like a song cycle. It was fabulous collection of songs. It was a really beautiful piece of theatre that our platform company produced and really well done. It was it was quite extraordinary to to see you guys put it all together. Lois, how about you? What was your most recent MYMT production that you were involved in?
00:06:24
Speaker
Oh, the last show I'm ever going to do with NYMT because I'm now too old. oh It was Chess. She's an oldie. I'm an oldie, but I'm a goldie. No, it was um it was Chess and with Alex Sutton as the director. And it was at the Leicester Curve. And I played... Freddie Trumper, but as a female and gender bent version. And I actually broke my toe two nights before opening night um and had to go to the hospital, which was really fun. i always seem to have a bit of a drama. and I'm just dramatic. It's in my body, you know. um But yeah, chess. And chess is just chess. is It's chess, isn't it? It's a beast. It's a show within itself. and It is. beast.
00:07:10
Speaker
and it was it was so much fun beast of the show and
Balancing Creativity and Social Media
00:07:14
Speaker
you've done you've done multiple NYMT productions uh but tell us what was that journey from from NYMT to building this incredible ah following on social media how did that journey start for you back in 2019 when I think you first started producing content Yeah, so i started producing content, yeah, 2019 and it was just pre-COVID. But for me, I think NYMT has had such a huge impact on me, not just towards a social media um point of view, but in my creativity in general. like seeing the costumes and watching people make the sets whilst you're in rehearsal and like getting a glimpse into how everything works from such a young age and being kind of exposed to so many different creative avenues, not just the performing side. It really, it really sparked something in me of like, I would love to play
00:08:08
Speaker
every part like I would love to be the costume designer and the director and the lighting team and a composer so then it kind of led me to in the pandemic when i wasn't training at college you couldn't go watch any shows you couldn't do any amdram you couldn't do theatre um I basically started making kind of my own mini productions of a mix of theatrical work slash filming. But yeah, so I was then playing the role of making the costumes and filming it myself, learning to edit, learning how to do lighting and what equipment I wanted. So became a bit of a techie as well as
Spreading Theatre Awareness Through Social Media
00:08:48
Speaker
a performer. um
00:08:50
Speaker
So yeah, I think i think and NYMT from a young age just exposed me to a show isn't a show without all the creative team that are behind it. so many different departments yeah i think that's right and don't get me wrong you know during this episode we're going to talk about the good the bad and the ugly when it comes to social media there's lots to unpick and lots to talk about but i think one of those amazing things about it as you just mentioned is it's an opportunity to get creative and and get involved in so many different areas you're just a performer you're you know you're the costume designer you're the set maker you're lighting it's And that lighting might just be angling your, you know, your lamp in the lounge.
00:09:27
Speaker
so Yeah, get the right lighting, right in it. um You know, you're the writer, you're the creator, you even may potentially the editor and the DOP and all of those things all together for those for those creative pieces that you're making and and sharing with your audience. And that's that's really something to be celebrated. John, i mean, you've only been at drama school, what, in a few months to a year or so. And already you have set up, launched, produced your own podcast and well on your way to some extraordinary, extraordinary, ah well on your way to some extraordinary audience journey in the world of social media with that podcast, I'm sure. What inspired you to make that? And what was the first step in actually getting yourself out there?
00:10:11
Speaker
Well, look, I... Remember auditioning for drama schools and just wanting
Personal Experiences with Autism and ADHD
00:10:17
Speaker
to find advice on which drama school is best for me What the different drama schools offer and when I tell you you go on Google you think there's gonna be a lot of help There is nothing each drama school website is like We're a drama school. These are our alumni. And other than that, you don't know anything. You don't know anything. So I thought, right, if no one else has done it, I'm going to do it. So I created the drama school podcast. I've got students on from each different school, even the National Youth Music Theatre. I've got someone on from NYMT.
00:10:48
Speaker
And I just thought I'm going to help people. Because, well, a bit like Lois, I just feel like there's so much you can do from social media and word of mouth and posting. I thought i I'm going to use it to help people.
00:11:01
Speaker
um And hopefully I feel like I've done that in the same way that this podcast will be doing that. Yeah. I love that. So, John, you say, you know, one of your drives in making the podcast was to help people. Lois, what's one of your day to day drives in producing all the content that you do across your various platforms?
00:11:18
Speaker
I think for me, it's kind of split down the middle. It's a 50-50 of I enjoy the process of creating something and achieving that goal and having the creative freedom.
00:11:32
Speaker
Even if I didn't have a big platform, because at the beginning I didn't, and I just made things because I enjoyed doing it, and I still do. But then obviously gaining a platform, it does give you even more drive because, I don't know, like the support is just really...
00:11:49
Speaker
it helps and it... I don't know. Like, for me, it's, yeah, my own creativity and my own freedom of creating how I feel or what i want to make for the day. and but also...
00:12:02
Speaker
Like you see comments of, especially when it's like young people and they're like, oh, i I'd never heard this song or heard of this show before. I've seen your video and and I've asked for tickets for my birthday. I can't wait to go see it. And then they come back to the post months later and they've seen the show and they're like, wow, it was amazing. I'm going to go to a musical theatre summer school now. and And I do get a lot of comments of...
00:12:27
Speaker
Young people, adults as well. I've had a lot of adults comment that were like, oh, I feel like I'm too old to start singing lessons, but you've inspired me. Like that... feels really cool because obviously I was also there once. and That's because you're a golden oldie. you're a golden oldie.
00:12:44
Speaker
But no, it's it's nice to have that creative freedom and make make what i want to make, you know, because it's it's lovely to audition for things and to be in shows. But, you know, you only get work if people deem you as good enough for that part, which can sometimes be really draining. So in between not having professional theatrical work,
00:13:03
Speaker
being able to make my own theatrical work um and do it how i envision it and i can't reject myself that that's such a lovely outlet to have and then to get to share it with people that appreciate it is just another cherry on the top of the cake but Yeah, that that's kind of my my fifty fifty what inspires me and makes me
Handling Negative Social Media Comments
00:13:24
Speaker
want to do what I do. 100%. John, you said that one of the first experiences of theatre you had was watching Cats. But for someone that doesn't get a chance to actually get in a theatre, perhaps theatre just isn't quite accessible to them or they can't afford it. Social media can offer you those performances, that insight, that opportunity to to have that that element of live performance, you know, recorded and on and on a phone, but to have that performance in your, in the palm of your hand.
00:13:52
Speaker
And that surely that's something to be celebrated. Something that is, is fantastic, John, don't you think? Yeah, definitely. Even like, in the pandemic, well, a bit like Lois posting the pandemic, but in the pandemic, I must have spent hours and hours watching people like Carrie Hope Fletcher. Like, I remember, um she did i can't remember the name of the series, but she did this series where she posts behind the scenes at Heather's the Musical at the other palace.
00:14:19
Speaker
And I kid you not, like... That was so entertaining because it was like I was watching the show, but through her perspective and getting, you know, the actor's perspective, even though I'm not there. So I feel like I have experienced that.
00:14:35
Speaker
watching a musical without being in the room through watching other creators um I mean even Lois your content like you look like you have so much fun like oh bless you I do I'm obsessed I'm guilty guilty I I know what you mean though John like um yeah like in the pandemic so I probably created more than I consumed in the pandemic which Again, comments-wise and DMs that I received, especially in the pandemic, because the audience ratio was even higher because everyone was on their phones constantly. Yeah. And everyone was miserable. do you know what i mean? Like, no one felt great naturally when they woke up. It felt quite dry and draining and...
00:15:20
Speaker
I probably, that was probably the time of my life where I received the most comments like that because the audience was higher and and people really needed it. I think, I think people needed a distraction from how bleak things were. um And yeah, that's again, like going back to the drive thing or it not being accessible. Like theater's expensive. Theater isn't something that everyone can do whenever they want, regardless of COVID or not, but especially in COVID, like it wasn't even an option. So to make something that kind of closed that gap or made it as close to experiencing watching something creative.
00:15:58
Speaker
Yeah. Like i think that had a big impact as well. Like, on people viewing it or people creating it like Carrie Hope Fletcher, for example, I can imagine she probably really loved putting that out at that time because she would have been receiving comments of, oh my God, I really needed this. i'm missing theatre so much. And if if that's all you can do at the time, then that's as best as it's going to get. But Yeah.
00:16:21
Speaker
And I think for now, Lois, do you feel like a pressure or do you ever feel pulled wearing your performer hat and being a bit more of like, you know, a content creator and a public figure and making that content online? Is that a bit of a, do you feel pulled in a new direction to create Adam's family? Oh, David.
00:16:40
Speaker
and Yes, I definitely do feel
Listener Questions: Sharing Content
00:16:44
Speaker
pulled at times. because How you can't get the balance of that? Oh, there is no balance. and I mean, last year I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD. So even more so, I understand myself more. And I can't find balance in everyday life as it is. But yeah, with with that, it is hard. And I think what makes it even harder for me is I have so many interests.
00:17:06
Speaker
Yeah.
00:17:08
Speaker
that there's a There's a lyric about that. I have so many interests I want to pursue. you go. We'll throw that in. It's a musical theatre podcast. and It's so hard to decide what what takes priority. Like, I know my dream goal deep down from being a little kid is being on a stage.
00:17:27
Speaker
But then having a platform and building a platform, whether it's theatre-related or not, especially nowadays, it has such a big impact on work and booking ah or getting in a room. But it's really hard because like I don't want to get a job or be in a room just because of a number. I want to get a job because you see me as good enough. But I also wouldn't mind working hard to get that extra bit of oomph.
00:17:52
Speaker
and So it is a really fine line of like, Yeah, picking that divide. But I am trying. I said my goal this year in 2026 was to try and merge content creation and theatre more. So I am posting more singing, more acting, more voiceovers. And it's not just...
00:18:12
Speaker
lots of separate topics. I'm trying to bring them all together as much as I can, which is hard because I don't think many people do it, to be honest. But yeah, it's a tricky combination. And recently you did, ah we put fabulous concert in town.
00:18:26
Speaker
um i Was it Hunchback? Yes, so that was um The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the West End concert at the Prince Edward. How was that? Oh, don't, I'll cry. I'll cry. it was so good. Hunchback for me as a show is...
00:18:42
Speaker
it's a special show to me anyway. And again, like I did it with NYMT and I was Esmeralda and that was during the pandemic. And that was a really emotional time. And also working with um actors within the deaf community and my eyes being really opened into just a complete different way of life that is so beautiful.
00:19:03
Speaker
i think that show was always emotional for me anyway, but then yeah, the experience of NYMT made it, just magic like just magic and then
Theatrical Dreams and Future Aspirations
00:19:13
Speaker
getting to do it again years later and it being my first professional paid gig it was so full circle stars aligned kind of moment for me um and yeah it was wild it was wild um yeah was very special but
00:19:36
Speaker
yeah i i it leaves me speechless as you can yeah yeah and sometimes they're the most precious right just the ones that leave you speechless yeah mean john lois says you know she's trying to get that juggling between performing and content creating can be a real tricky balance at times how do you find it with you know your social media account that you're growing and your podcast while training you know potentially know eight nine ten hour days college how do you get that balance right?
00:20:07
Speaker
Oh, it's so hard. And I like not even sugarcoating it. there um There have been times I've just had to stop posting on social media. Um, Like, I had around November, December time, my content was getting views because people auditioning around that period for drama school. And I'd be getting DMs and messages. And my friends would get DMs and messages being like, please ask John to post another video about, I don't know, like, Beniti Laban. And I was like, guys, I'm in ballet. I'm in 8.30 ballet. Can't do it. But...
00:20:40
Speaker
for It's one of those where its it's hard, but I feel like I have to remember that at the end of the day, as long as I'm enjoying it, that's all that matters. If I need a month off of not posting an episode because I do need to work on my assessments, then that's okay.
00:20:59
Speaker
and But yeah, it is hard. But then also, it's also like, it's fun because then you know people are watching and people like your content and you're like, okay, fair enough. But yeah, I mean, i've got the I've got a holiday in two weeks time and then I'm just going to batch record as much helpful information as possible and just post it throughout the weeks. Therefore, people are still getting that information without me having to worry about being at ballet or being at, I don't know, a singing lesson.
00:21:29
Speaker
Let's talk about posting.
Closing Thoughts and Encouragement
00:21:30
Speaker
um There's so much out there posting 10 times a day, short form content 20 times a day, once a week, the same hour, different hours. For someone that's listening, that's really trying to grow their following on social media. What would the best pair of you, what advice would you offer when it comes to posting where to start?
00:21:49
Speaker
How often? Lois, I feel like you've got some thoughts. and I feel like such a hypocrite giving advice because I don't even stick to a routine and I know I should but i find it really hard but maybe maybe that is the advice yeah maybe you know you what works for you you do what works for you I definitely want to get a routine in place for myself more and again like since I've been diagnosed with ADHD I didn't even realize that as a bit of a negative pattern that might be working against me because I spent hours making this content or before I even make it I've got to dream it up and then write it down and make the costume like I spent days and then sometimes the thing that lets me down the most is like my marketing and posting strategy because I'm not trained in that and sometimes I probably do shoot myself in the foot a bit of when I decide to post because
00:22:42
Speaker
At the end of the day, you need to go with what feels right for you. If you need a break for mental health or if you're busy and life is life, like you can't be miserable at the end of the day. You've got to put yourself first.
00:22:53
Speaker
But there is definitely ways of getting your stuff seen to its highest advantage. I don't always stick to it. So it's not a deal breaker, but it might help. And I would say that is...
00:23:05
Speaker
To begin with, maybe post at different times of days and then at the end of the week, go to your analytics and see, okay, when I posted at seven o'clock, um it got the most views and I can see that my audience are predominantly online the most at seven o'clock. So then maybe you start posting your videos at seven o'clock. It doesn't have to be every day. Maybe it's just twice a week, you know, but pick a number and maybe stick with it and then,
00:23:33
Speaker
that if it you know and if people time zones fluctuate you at least have a bit of a system in place that you can go back to and just normally on analytics you can view when your audience is online the most and i would just post then like that's probably the easiest route but if you don't you don't who cares i like it a bit of method to the madness just a little bit of method for once john how about you once a week once a day twice a day twice an hour where do you start and literally I literally hours asking chat GPT questions of what is search engine optimization? How do I get my content out to... Look, I think you just need to make the video, make the post and post it whenever you want because people i feel like people kind of like seeing, especially on things like Instagram, the scrappy like...
00:24:20
Speaker
Raw behind the scenes stuff that isn't really that edited So I think If you want to make a video Make a video, post it And then you'll see it hopefully will do well But like I think stories wise I try and post maybe two stories a day um Main Instagram post wise Three posts a week would be ideal But I'm not doing that because I've not got time for that So I'm just doing it on my own accord Me neither Yeah like I love the honesty, guys. i love it. do But I think it's important. And I think i think that's this's something that sometimes one of the downsides of social media is when you see these videos, maybe someone's posting fairly regularly.
00:25:00
Speaker
Perhaps they filmed it all in one afternoon one day. Always. Back to their normal life. you know And there can be that misconception that you have to be producing and filming every day. But actually, very rarely is someone actually filming, editing, posting live on a daily day-to-day basis. yeah And there's something else I really want to pick up on that you've both talked about, but you're both far too modest. So I'm going to go back to it. So we're going to rewind. you do talk do we two what reverse on you're both extremely hard-working individuals.
00:25:31
Speaker
You know, you're you're balancing, John, you're balancing your training. John, for our listeners out there, John was literally running straight from a tap class into this podcast before we were recording this evening. ah You know, getting that that commitment, that dedication, that focus is just...
00:25:52
Speaker
I am so glad that this is an audio podcast because if it was a video podcast, you will see the sweat right now. It actually grows. Did I not tell you, John, we're doing video as well? Oh, sorry, I forgot to mention it.
00:26:05
Speaker
I'm just joking. yep Give us a time step. Go on. All right. Give us a time step. I can tell you he certainly does eat eggs for his breakfast. For those of you that means anything to, don't understand. And those of doesn't,
00:26:18
Speaker
We'll move swiftly on. But seriously, you are both extraordinarily hard workers. You know, Lois, you talked about that that casting world of, you know, whether you feel like you you would deserve or wanting her a certain role. Of course, you're deserving of a role. You know, filming and making content is just one aspect of your of your career. One aspect, one talent, almost same way that, you know, musical theatre is built up of singing, dance and drama.
00:26:45
Speaker
I think there's content creating as a second strand to that in 2026. And Lois, it's something that you have worked extremely hard at over the years. you' done an amazing job at it. I don't think John's far behind you. No. You're both extremely, extremely, extremely hard individuals.
00:27:03
Speaker
And I think that's something that listeners, you know, when you're watching those videos, you can sometimes forget it. Don't you think, John? Yeah. Well, i I want to say, right, in terms of when Lois is like, oh, I don't know if i deserve this and is it just coming from my social media?
00:27:20
Speaker
I genuinely disagree. I feel like social media, I like to call it like a virtual stage door. it It happens. It already exists. You're just entertaining the virtual stage door and still communicating. So, yeah, I i agree completely.
00:27:37
Speaker
here here I'm glad I'm glad you agree. um Lois, I want to come back to something that you you mentioned a couple of times, which is really, you know, really, really great. And thank you for sharing your diagnosis, ah your diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Yeah, I and that you said that was a recent thing.
00:27:53
Speaker
How when you look back, how was that through, you know, through training through college through my MT, as a young performer, how did you process all of that? And how did it play out for you?
00:28:04
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, like, it's hard. This industry is hard for anyone. This industry is is mentally challenging, physically challenging, emotionally challenging for anyone. and But I think looking back as, ah you know, and ah especially an undiagnosed child or teenager or young adult with autism and ADHD who is very empathetic, think,
00:28:32
Speaker
Definitely at times my skin was not thick enough. Definitely at times now my skin is not thick enough. and think ah and NYMT was the first kind of training experience I had and I can literally fault nothing about it. Like considering, you know, i did I didn't know I had a diagnosis. There was a lot of things I struggled with. I struggled with staying away from home. I struggled with making friends and meeting new people. I struggled with the fact that we had like... set food times that were different from when I would normally eat at home and then the set food was it was set food from wherever you were staying at the schools and things and half of the food I wouldn't eat because I was a very plain Jane like things couldn't touch and
00:29:20
Speaker
yeah I look back at it now and it just screams autism. But obviously at the time, I didn't know that. But yeah, like every pastoral member on the team and obviously most of this was yourself, David. You were my NYMT dad and like you would fight my corner and make sure I got fed what I wanted. and And there were times when I literally couldn't sleep and I would sit up in the pastoral staff room way past my bedtime. But...
00:29:44
Speaker
you know, they would always look after me. and That's fine. That's fine. We'd work it out. We'd be there. Yeah. And I think had I not received that, regardless of having a diagnosis or not, like the fact that the team are just genuinely that attentive, whether you have a label on you or not,
00:30:04
Speaker
and I mean, it's how it should be, but you'd be surprised how many places don't work like that. and But I think it definitely gave me the confidence. it It gave me the confidence to be able to ask for help, I think, as well. Like, had I asked for help once and kind of been disregarded, I probably never would have again.
00:30:23
Speaker
But because I was never made to feel like a problem or like I'm too much or I'm too dramatic and... I used to cry like every day at NYMT. It wasn't because I wasn't enjoying it. I just used to get really overwhelmed at the end of the day because you process so much information and made so many new friends and learn so many new songs and dances and staying in a new place.
00:30:42
Speaker
You know, everyone else would come home and play games, but I would need like a good half hour in my room on my own just to like, reset and yeah no one ever made me feel weird for that i was always quite honored in that um which was really nice and my first year with NYMT I i was 11 so you know that's a really really young age and a young age yeah but um yeah young i never never felt um never felt excluded or um not looked after it's really
00:31:14
Speaker
Yeah, it's really, really brave for you to share. And thank you so much. What advice would you give Lois to a young person, perhaps diagnosed with autism or ADHD, who's listening, they're creative, they like performing, they like musical theatre.
00:31:26
Speaker
yeah Like you said, potentially, they've got so much, so much going on. And just how to process that on a day to day basis either in the rehearsal room or in the studio? Yeah, I think i I really do think the key with and with with any line of work when you're autistic or have ADHD, but especially in theatre, is being able to ask for the help when you need it. Like I experienced it more recently. um And again, really weird. i had a full circle moment when I did Hunchback with NYMT. I was Esmeralda.
00:31:58
Speaker
I am not, I wouldn't call myself a dancer. I'm a mover. Esmeralda, she's this beautiful dancer who holds herself and she knows who she is. And I i just, I don't know. i I felt like I had such imposter syndrome and all these girls around me at NYMT were amazing dancers. And I felt like I wasn't deserving because I couldn't dance as well as them. And I remember NYMT, I must've been about 19 and I just started crying ah during us learning choreography. And I just started crying and I had to leave the room.
00:32:27
Speaker
And no one made me feel weird for it. um Our choreographer, he broke it down to us. I think you were there, David. And I actually saw you. and I may have been there. It does have... Stranger things have happened. But i think just about taking that time, isn't it? To listen to yourself. Be kind to yourself. yeah Take that time if needed. It's asking for help. Because when I did...
00:32:46
Speaker
um the West End version of Hunchback not long ago, and this is where I'm talking full circle of having a breakdown learning dance for Hunchback at NYMT. We had to learn dance for Hunchback for the West End one. And whilst we was trying to learn the dance, we were in one corner of the room and the other side of the room were the men learning ah vocal lines for a complete different song. So we were trying to learn a dance with no music and counts whilst the boys across the room were singing a different song with different counts. That just sounds absolutely brilliant. like I mean, not like a worse nightmare. I had to step in and say like, I'm really sorry. I'm getting really overwhelmed and there's too many things going on.
00:33:22
Speaker
And, you know, they accommodated. They didn't make me feel bad about it. And for the rest of the rehearsal period, whether this was because of what I said or whether this was pre-planned, if we were learning two separate things from then onwards, with they'd actually book two separate rooms. Amazing. So, fact yeah, like don't be afraid to ask for what you need and you will work better. You will learn better. You will process better being in an environment that is catered for what you need.
00:33:46
Speaker
are such such wise words and you know i'm so glad that you know my mt did exactly that and did exactly what you needed at that time yeah when you were you know at the young age of 11 um lois how do you deal with with some of the trickier sides of it messages comments that you may read and actually those may not be too helpful um because i'm sure people listening there's people listening that are thinking how do i deal with that side of it How do you that? used to really struggle with it. I mean, I took about a year break from content at one point and it definitely, that year break has still had an impact on my content today, probably from an engagement and view ratio.
00:34:27
Speaker
Um, but at the end of the day, that's not the most important thing at the time. The most important thing for me was to look after myself. Um, and for me, i I don't really receive negative comments anymore. I don't quite know why that is. and but I used to a lot, especially in COVID. And I do think it's because a lot more people and keyboard warriors, as I like to call them, were just bored on their phones. But if you do receive spiteful comments or DMs or,
00:34:57
Speaker
people stitching your videos and making fun of you because it happens the best thing I can say is yeah it hurts it will really upset you when you see it and that's completely fine if you need to have a cry or you need to feel upset you should feel upset but just remember the only reason people are someone said this to me the other day people don't throw rocks downwards they only throw them up people are only attacking you because they can see You're on a journey that's already up and beyond where they are. You know, if people were happy with where they are in life, they wouldn't feel the need to bring other people down. um
00:35:39
Speaker
So all that means at the end of the day is you're doing something right. That's how I see it. And it boosts your content, babe. Yeah, absolutely. Now. Now, I used to cry over comments. Now, do you know i don't mind a hate comment because I'll respond. It might be someone, she was really pitchy, you know, and I'll reply with, oh, thanks, babe. Can't wait to see your version. And then they'll come back with something else. and I love I don't encourage bullying, but I will absolutely, will give a kind response and they don't like you being kind back either. So just be nice and it will really, yeah, really bother them. What doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger. I think that's amazing. I think that's amazing advice there. But also going back to what you said, actually, if there's times where want to take a break, take a break from You need to. Turn it off and take yourself away from it. If that's what feels right. Yeah. And you will lose all your creative spark. Like you won't be making amazing content like you want to because you'll be so dead inside and people can feel it. Like you need to revive yourself.
00:36:40
Speaker
Guys, we are coming to the end of our episode. But before we do, I've got two questions from some of our listeners that have sent these in. And I'm going to give one to John and one to Lois. So, John, question for you. Opinions on filming and uploading class footage.
00:36:59
Speaker
And that's from Millie, at age 21. What do you think, John? yeah. If the teacher is letting you film the dance or letting you post your singing, do it, upload it. Like, obviously, make sure, you know, your teacher does let you do it. But it's it's fun. You get to show your friends what you can do. you get to show your friends your progress. People will see it. People like it. I think do it.
00:37:23
Speaker
It's fun. um I want to show people that I can sing. to show people i can dance. show people you can tap as well like a tap class from earlier i like it um lois question for you this one's from kaya age 20 and kaya wants to know your opinion on posting behind the scenes footage before the musical is performed or in some cases even opened uh what do you are your thoughts on that Oh, well, I've done it myself.
00:37:53
Speaker
I love it. So I've got to say it's all right, really, haven't I? I mean, there's a line, there's a line. So I did it myself with Hunchback in the West End. But before I posted it, I sent it to the team and I was like, guys, this is what I've made. Are you happy with it? Is there anything you want me to remove? And they said it was fine. But obviously, I think absolutely. But before you post it, check it with the creative team. Yeah, I like it. Wise words. You don't want to get cut before opening night. No, you definitely don't want to cut before opening night. But listen, 2026 is the MYMT season of dreams. There's a dreams theme running across all of our shows. I'd love to hear from both of you.
00:38:32
Speaker
What is a dream of yours? One dream of yours, it can be anything, theatre related, outside of theatre, social media related, or even outside of social media. Perhaps it's at home with friends and family. I'm going come to you, John, first.
00:38:49
Speaker
I have said for ages, I will not stop until I've been Bok in Wicked. who i i it's like It's not a dream, it's a it's a need. It's something I'm living for. it i Yeah, ah he's in my casting. He's he's such fun character. he gets to have a fun relationship with Nessa. um Yeah, I and will do anything to be Bok.
00:39:16
Speaker
let's I like it oh he would like it. And I think that that focus on such a specific goal and dream can be so useful and so clear when you're when you're training and out in the industry. That's great. Thanks for sharing, John. Lois, how about you? Hi. Oh, well...
00:39:34
Speaker
I don't want this to sound like propaganda because I'm on an NYMT call, but since becoming an adult and stepping back and not being in NYMT shows, I do miss it so much. And I've been following the journey on social media and everything and...
00:39:49
Speaker
i I genuinely would love so much to... I don't care what it is, but I would love to come back to NYMT for some reason and in some way be involved, whether that was in the costume department or just, I don't know, or even as pastoral or...
00:40:06
Speaker
Because I miss it anyway, but now doing this podcast and like casting my mind back to NYMT days, like yeah I would love so much to do something for NYMT or some charity work or spreading the word. and yeah So NYMT, if you have any roles available for little old me, please do let me know. because i would i've got my I've got my top on. I'm ready. I'm dressed. I'm in my uniform. I've gone I've got a sneaky feeling. I've got a sneaky feeling that that is one dream that we can certainly make true.
00:40:38
Speaker
And it would be it would be the greatest pleasure to have you back. um John and Lois, two fabulously talented performers, creatives, um social media content creators. It's been so great having you on our Open House podcast. And remember, listeners, before anyone hits record, share or post,
00:40:58
Speaker
That talent, talent, talent, talent all started somewhere. And there's a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes. The viewing format may change, the views may soar, but that hard work and commitment always stays the same.
00:41:15
Speaker
That's it for today's episode. And thanks so much for listening to Open House. If you enjoyed the show, please don't forget to like, subscribe and comment wherever you're listening from. And hey, why not tell a friend? The more the merrier.
00:41:28
Speaker
Check out nymt.org.uk to learn how you can support us, get involved and what's on throughout the season. Or find us at and NYMT UK on the socials. And why not drop us a message with what guests you want to see and hear from in a future episode. So, so long, farewell,
00:41:45
Speaker
Auf Wiedersehen and goodbye.