Scholarships to National Youth Theatre

At National Youth Theatre, we work to remove barriers that might stop young people from taking part.

Our scholarships support families who need help with programme costs, making it possible for more young people to access high-quality musical theatre experiences.

Scholarships are currently available for our OnStage programmes in Auckland, Manukau, Hamilton and Christchurch.

A scholarship covers all core costs associated with the programme — including tuition fees, costumes, and some tickets for your family. If a camp is part of the programme, those costs are covered too.

You can read our full policy document.

How it works

Our scholarships are designed to be simple and accessible, with support provided based on need and potential benefit.

How to apply

1. Ask a teacher (or another respected adult who knows you well) to write a letter about you.
2. The letter should explain why they believe you would benefit from joining NYT.
3. The referee must include their full name and contact details.
4. Email the letter, along with your details, to:
   scholarships@nyt.nz

What happens next

We carefully read every application and aim to support as many young people as possible.

If we receive more applications than we can fund, we consider:

• The strength of the endorsement
• Financial or personal barriers to participation
• Commitment and enthusiasm
• Balance across regions, schools, and communities
• Any special circumstances

We will notify you of the outcome by email.

Final notes

All decisions are made by the NYT team and are final.

We review this process each year to ensure it remains fair, transparent, and accessible.