THE NATIONAL Youth Theatre has snapped up Builth Wells High School student Joe Dunn, a young veteran of the recently closed Theatr Powys.
Joe, 18, has been selected as one of only 500 – from around 9,000 hopefuls – to join the prestigious London drama school. Alumni include Helen Mirren and Orlando Bloom.
“It’s awesome,” said Joe, “it’s great really. I’d been applying to universities and it was quite nice to have the confidence of having this. In the acting profession it’s hard to maintain a job, sometimes you’re in work and other times you struggle to find anything, so this is a real boost.
“I heard about it through school in drama class.” he continued, “I auditioned last year, but was unsuccessful - I tried again this year, and I got in!
“You have a three-hour group workshop with about 45 people in the morning, then in the afternoon or evening you have an individual audition, where you do a monologue.”
He said that he owed a debt to Theatr Powys, which sadly closed recently.
“I was part of Mid Powys Youth Theatre which was organised and run by Theatr Powys. I was with them from 14 and part of their ensemble for a few years. It was great to get the guidance of directors and professionals and gave me an idea of what it was like to work in theatre, with lighting, set and costumes.
“I doubt I’d really have wanted or known about the profession if it wasn’t for them – it was my introduction to it.
“I think it has really highlighted the need and abilities of people living here.”
Ian Yeoman, artistic director with Theatr Powys said: “I’m absolutely delighted – he made a huge contribution to the Mid Powys Youth Theatre on all levels and I’m sure dozens of Mid Powys members will want to wish him well.
“The Mid Powys Youth Theatre was pretty central to what Theatr Powys was all about. We always tried to challenge our young members and Joe always rose to that challenge, he was always dead committed.”
Ian said ex-members were now meeting to ensure that the Youth Theatre continued: “Just because Theatr Powys has closed doesn’t mean the Mid Powys Youth Theatre stops.”
Joe is also working with Builth Wells YFC, who travel to Blackpool this month to take part in a national competition, and are looking for sponsorship. After his A-levels he plans to study drama at Warwick.
As for the future with the National Youth Theatre, it has only just begun, he said.
“There will be a two week course in the summer and after that they’ll be doing auditions for all the various productions they put on – there may be roles in radio, TV, film and stage, so it will be great to go down to London and get involved.”