The new address for all NSDF correspondence is:

19-21 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8BA

What is NSDF?

National - NSDF is a truly national festival with productions, participants and professionals coming from all across the UK to Scarborough to create a unique week of workshops, performances, discussions and training.

NSDF is simply amazing: an invaluable opportunity for anyone wanting to get involved in the theatre. During that week I was both humbled and inspired with some top industry professionals talking frankly about my work. Not only do I have a good idea on how to improve but my confidence has grown tenfold with the advice and compliments from some amazing people - Mike Leigh and Mark Ravenhill, who then came to the pub quiz after. Simply extraordinary. (Ashley Scott Layton, Student Director, NSDF10)

Student - This festival is for anyone aged 16 to 25, although there is no upper age limit. It's your festival. You don't have to be studying drama you just have to enjoy it and want to watch it and make it. NSDF presents productions from schools, Further Education Colleges, Youth Groups, Drama Societies, individuals and touring companies set up by recent graduates. We have a Youth Council who feed back your ideas, a festival magazine written by you and volunteering opportunities both at festival and throughout the year.

The feedback that I received whilst at the festival, from the show discussion to personal chats with visiting artists, was a brilliant help. It has given me much stimulus to work on aspects of my skills as an actor. All in all, NSDF was the best possible thing I could have done having graduated. It has allowed me to realise what is needed to succeed in such a competitive business. (Chris Caines, Student Actor, NSDF10)

Drama - The NSDF accommodates all forms of live theatre performance including dance, mime, physical theatre, music theatre, site-specific work, comedy, clowning, devised work, new writing and classical and modern drama, as well as film, television and radio.

NSDF is perception-changing and immeasurably helpful for anyone who aspires to work in theatre. The workshops alone are worth every penny of the admission fee, let alone the many brilliant performances, discussion sessions and networking opportunities. I'll be there again next year. (Adam Z. Robinson, Bad House, NSDF10)

Festival - 60 performances, 180 workshops, 6 discussions, 7 late night events and over 650 students. NSDF is a celebration of young talent as well as an introduction to the pathways into the profession.

The NSDF is essential, I was inspired by the drive, idealism and commitment of the students and leaders (Christopher Eccleston, Visiting Artist NSDF10)