Now that the National Youth Theatre are taking applications for their 2009/10 programme, here's a look at how not to get stressed out about auditions, whoever you are and whatever you're doing.

Feeling nervous?

There ain't nothing to fear but fear itself...

Basically, if you're going to any audition, you're going to feel a bit anxious. Fact. So you may as well accept it. Symptoms can include a quickening heart rate, sweating, trembling, feeling hot - and it's all usually triggered by a release of adrenalin. It's what your body does to protect you from a perceived danger.

Hang on a second...danger? It's just an audition! A meeting if you like. A friendly chat even. So first of all make a decision to change how you think so it doesn't feel so scary, you know what to expect and you can enjoy the experience and do your best.

And anyway, what's the worst that can happen? The worst is that, on this occasion you're not successful. And you lose a bit of confidence. But at the end of the day you've still been brave enough to turn up and actually do it. So it's not really that scary is it?

Have a look at this film - it's a bit of food for thought to avoid getting worked up... 

The Worst Thing That Can Possibly Ever Happen...

... is that you don't get it. And if that happens, friends and family will probably say something like 'never mind'. It's a phrase which, if we're honest, doesn't really mean anything. And it doesn't make anyone feel better. Especially when you've put loads of effort into preparing and getting yourself to the audition, you've put on your lucky socks, you've got an early train, you've contributed to the workshop and you've concentrated on doing your best.

If a letter arrives saying, sorry, you're not quite right it can feel a bit personal, a bit irritating or just a bit plain old upsetting. And anyone tilting their head and saying 'never mind' doesn't really help at all.

We know we can learn something from the knock backs, and Destiny's Child say the knock backs made them stronger but HOW? So have a look at this film to avoid throwing a big old hair-pulling tantrum while screaming 'it's not fair' and see some ways to take a negative and turn it into a positive.