Learning and Engagement Newsletter Autumn 2025
LHT Unwrapped summer highlights
Over the summer our LHT Unwrapped holiday activities continued with a week of Wonderland-themed drama days for children aged 6–14, inspired by LeedsBID’s Wonderland Awaits…
Highlights included a visit from some of the characters themselves!
Younger children created their very own Alice in Wonderland tea party, while older groups explored script work. All ages experimented with lighting and costume design, helping to bring their ideas to life.
We rounded off the season with a Play in a Week, inspired by the adventures of the Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator as an extension from the LGYT production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Participants worked together to create and perform a lively variety show imagining all the wacky and wonderful places the Glass Elevator might go.
From movement and puppetry to script work and learning a song, the week ended with a joyful performance for family and friends on our temporary stage in the LGT studio. It truly was an out-of-this-world experience!
If LHT Unwrapped sounds right for the young people in your life, don’t miss our upcoming events for spooky season, with sessions for ages 6-14! Read more below.
Creating an imaginary world. Credit Sarah Winstanley
Creating an imaginary world. Credit Sarah Winstanley
LHT Unwrapped October activities
This October half-term is packed with Halloween fun for your pupils when they’re not at school!
Summer productions
Leeds Actors In Training, our vocational creative training programme for 18 to 25-year-olds, performed The Maladies, written by Carmen Nasr and directed by Lizi Patch, at Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton. The production showcased the skill and dedication of emerging artists as they explored complex themes through powerful storytelling. LAIT will return in October with a mix of returning and new participants.
Clémence Bénard, Madeleine Ivanov, Tara Buranakul and Liên Cao in hysterics during a performance of The Maladies. Credit Chris Coote
Madeleine Ivanov and Tara Buranakul as friends in The Maladies, Seven Arts, 2025. Credit Chris Coote
Devon Nixon and Karolos Karakantzas-Marketos in The Maladies. Credit Chris Coote
In July, Leeds Grand Youth Theatre staged a production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The five-show run was a huge success, with nearly every performance selling out, including a special captioned and chilled performance introduced this year. The cast should feel incredibly proud of everything they achieved with this remarkable show. Our new term starts Sat 20 September and we look forward to welcoming new members soon!
Wonka in front of his factory gates. Credit Chris Coote
Aidan as Grandpa Joe, Imogen as Grandma Josephine and Alexis as Grandma Georgina. Credit Chris Coote
Coming this term
Hyde Park Picture House Into Film Festival
The following FREE screenings are now available to book as part of Into Film Festival this November at Hyde Park Picture House. This is an amazing opportunity to come to the cinema for free, to celebrate films for 5 to 19-year-olds and to inspire young people to watch, understand and make new films!
Stories from our blog
Leeds Heritage Theatres Engagement Fund
Every year, we work with over 10,000 young people across the city, in schools, youth groups and other sessions to help them build skills, confidence and pride through our creative learning and engagement programme. All donations to this fund will help us to continue our work and reach more people across the Leeds City Region.
