1/10 Reasons to Support NYAT: Artists-led Charity

It’s NYAT’s 10^th anniversary of being there for disadvantaged young artists. Stay tuned this Christmas season, as we present 10 SOLID REASONS to you why you should support & connect with NYAT.

1/10 Reason to Support NYAT: Artists led Charity

Afolabi Alli: NYAT’s ex-bursary holder now our Trustee & an NT cast

“I am Afolabi, an actor, an ex-NYAT’s bursary recipient and now an NYAT trustee. Without NYAT’s bursary I wouldn’t have been able to begin my arts education and training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and then work with the RSC. Most recently I performed with the National Theatre for their production of The Grapes of Wrath. In addition, I am also a lead voice artist for BAFTA nominated game Valorant. I am working across film and television, and all set to feature in ‘Micky 17’ by Oscar winning director Bong Joon Ho. It is incredible to work as a trustee for the charity that helped kickstart my career. I am now helping NYAT to set up their mentoring scheme which partners under-privileged young actors with industry mentors to support them in building a career in the arts.”– Afolabi Alli

Hannah Balogun: NYAT’s ex-bursary holder & ex-mentee now our paid Admin Assistant & a full-time actor

“NYAT has done so much for me as a creative over the past few years. The bursary scheme helped me pay for some of the cost I encountered as part of going to drama school and the NYAT mentorship program supported me as I left that same drama school, a time that can feel very isolating for a young actor. The workshops we did as part of the mentorship scheme meant I was able to keep my acting muscles flexed in a supportive environment and my sessions with my mentor kept me inspired and motivated. I also received lots of practical advice that I have been able to implement along my acting journey. I did my first feature film “Run” which, set in a not too distant future, follows a group of migrants as they reach the Italian coast and in very different ways, try to fight for survival. When I booked the job, it was amazing having someone I knew I could turn to and ask how I could navigate being on my first ever set!  Thanks to that conversation, I was able to step on to set a bit more confidently, trusting myself and all I had to offer would be enough. 

I have now been cast in the show “Wonder Boy” (the same one as Hilson, another NYAT mentee) as the understudy supporting character and working part-time as an Admin Assistant at NYAT. My experiences have highlighted how important youth arts organizations can be for young artist and I love that I can now support that vision at an organisation that has helped me so much.” – Hannah Balogun

Grace Smith: NYAT’s ex-youth theatre beneficiary at Hull then our paid youth theatre assistant

“I started the NYAT youth theatre club in Y8 and I found such a sense of belonging and was welcomed with open arms and since that I came back to the program as an assistant mentor which helped me develop teaching skills and it gave me a chance to give back the feeling of belonging I had received to other kids who needed it. I’m now studying acting for screen at metfilm and couldn’t have done it without the support of NYAT” – Grace Smith

Most of NYAT’s trustees & staff members have lived experiences of coming from under privileged backgrounds and working their way up in the arts industry. We are a passionate and driven team that really works together to help provide voice to disadvantaged young children via arts.