Learning and Engagement Newsletter Summer 2026
Spring term highlights
In January we visited Cockburn Lawrence Calvert and Cockburn School to test out our brand new workshop, The Panto Playbook, ready for this coming Winter. We visited the classes in their school after they saw the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto at The Varieties, guiding the students through the history of pantomime, exploring classic tropes and stock characters through mask work.
Interested? The workshop can be delivered before or after your class have watched the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto – or even without seeing it at all! Get in touch with us at learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com to learn more and book your Panto Playbook workshop.
The Pantaloon mask at the Panto Playbook Workshop. Credit Andrew Baker
Mask work. Credit Andrew Baker
Over spring term we have welcomed many school groups into our venues for a variety of different workshops!
Our long-standing school partner, Trinity Academy Leeds, visited with their Year 7s for a backstage tour of City Varieties Music Hall and World of Work workshop, where the students explored different non-performing roles in the theatre. Westend Primary visited Leeds Grand Theatre with their Year 1s for an Imaginary Settings workshop. The pupils transformed our studio into the world of Jack and the Beanstalk through lighting, props and imaginative play – our Imaginary Settings workshop can be tailored to any text your class are reading.
Oulton Academy returned with their Year 10s for a day-long Think Like A Producer workshop, where the group delved into different job roles in the theatre. They programmed a season of shows, managed a budget, and used our lighting rig to explore design, just to name a few!
Oulton Academy onstage at City Varieties. Credit Almir Datoo
Oulton Academy using the lighting rig. Credit Almir Datoo
Medea
Leeds Actors in Training (LAIT) presents a brand new, ensemble-led adaptation of Medea, exploring the complex feminist questions at the heart of Euripides’ brutal tragedy through bold storytelling, inventive theatricality and an original score.
Cast aside by Jason as he pursues a new future, Medea’s grief and fury drive her toward a devastating act of revenge.
Medea – Fri 26 June, 2pm and 7.30pm
Running Time: 60 – 70 mins (approx. and abridged)
Age Guidance: 14+ (GCSE age and above)
Content Guidance: This production contains themes of violence, sexual references and child death (off stage)
Book now
We are delighted to offer a group booking discount of £5 per ticket to see Euripides’ Greek tragedy Medea on Fri 26 June, performed by LAIT at City Varieties Music Hall. To book, contact judith.baker@leedsheritagetheatres.com. This would be a great opportunity for Drama, English and History students to visit our historic venue and experience live theatre at an affordable rate.
For pupils interested in taking on theatre or performance as a vocation, we recommend having the LAIT programme on your radar. A studio-based vocational programme for young people aged 18-25 years LAIT challenges and develops performance skills alongside industry-leading professionals.
After school drama clubs
Drama and theatre bring huge benefits to young people—from boosting wellbeing and confidence to opening pathways into the arts. With drama not a core primary subject, our Learning and Engagement team is finding new ways to reach young people, particularly in areas of Leeds with limited access to the arts.
At Co-op Academy Nightingale, we’ve worked with 15 young people aged 8–11, introducing them to theatre through venue visits, workshops, and shows at Leeds Grand Theatre and the pantomime at City Varieties Music Hall. Alongside this, weekly sessions have supported their confidence, wellbeing and teamwork, culminating in performances for family and peers.
We’re also in our third year of delivering our After School Drama Club with Castleton Primary, where weekly workshops have led to multiple performance opportunities, including this year’s Child Friendly Leeds awards at City Varieties.
Our drama clubs are a vital part of our work, nurturing the next generation of creative talent. We’re delighted to have offered five free places at Leeds Grand Youth Theatre and will continue creating opportunities for young people in the future.
Curious students during a visit to The Grand. Credit Ben Fletcher
Students ready to watch the panto. Credit: Ben Fletcher
Work Experience
The end of April saw the first of our two Year 10 work experience weeks. Students from South Craven School experienced a week in the life of an LHT employee, diving into all sorts of job roles across the company, with a focus on non-performing roles and working in teams to produce a mock show, ending with a wonderful presentation to staff on the Friday afternoon.
The group had Q&As with theatre staff, tech demos, and took part in activities designed to teach all about the day-to-day running of a modern theatre. We look forward to the second work experience week with Leeds East Academy at the end of June.
Spaces are limited, book soon to avoid disappointment!
Work experience students from South Craven School pose with their end-of-week presentations
A group of young people plotting lighting for their designed production during work experience.
Workshops
With clear national curriculum links, our workshops will wow your pupils and aid classroom learning. They can be delivered at the theatre or in school. Workshops delivered at the theatre include a tour of the venues.
Victorian Music Hall (KS1/2)
2.5 hours, £200
Bring the rich Victorian heritage of Leeds to life through our combined tour and workshop. Learn about costumes, characters and performers through roleplay, storytelling and object handling. A History-focused drama activity is included in our workshop.
Spotlights and Sound Effects (KS2)
2.5 hours, £200
Learn all about how we use light and sound in the theatre. With our lighting rig, pupils can investigate the practical application of Science NC principles. Our tour explores the evolution of light (Y3 and Y6) and sound (Y4) in theatre from past to present.
World of Work (KS3)
2.5 hours, £200
Learn about careers and explore our venues in line with Gatsby Benchmarks. Students will undertake job-specific tasks, from programming to marketing, to design a chosen show. After the careers-focused tour, we incorporate either a drama element or production portfolio activity.
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.
