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Leeds Actors in Training

Leeds Actors in Training (LAIT) is a studio-based vocational programme for young people aged 18-25 years to challenge and develop their performance skills alongside industry-leading professionals.

Overview

LAIT is a year-long acting course with sessions taking place once a week on a Wednesday evening. Founded in 2018, LAIT was developed in response to a call from young people interested in an acting career who were looking for high-quality skills development opportunities and an alternative to the traditional (and prohibitively expensive) drama school route.

The course is run by Lizi Patch, Artistic Director of Young People’s Theatre, and is designed to develop participants vocally, physically, and imaginatively, encouraging an independent and in-depth approach to a career within the theatre industry.

With a focus on performance skills, including improvisation, clowning, scene work and audition preparation, the programme is a perfect training ground for those taking their first steps in the industry.

“I believe LAIT has been fundamental to me as an actor. It has allowed me to grow not only as an artist but as a person too. It really is a safe and magical place where you can push yourself and discover what you are truly capable of. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for LAIT.”  Natasha Hudson

A headshot of Natasha Hudson

Credit: Chris Coote Photography

Interested?

Applications for LAIT 2024-25 are now closed.

Find out more about the course from our LAIT 2024-25 Info Pack.

If you would like to receive updates about LAIT, including information about next year’s intake, you can join our mailing list here.

Meet Lizi

Lizi Patch, Artistic Director of Young People’s Theatre, is a playwright, dramaturg and artist. She leads the sessions, organises material and resources, and frequently arranges special guest artists to run sessions with LAIT.

A smiling woman with brown hair and her arms crossed looks into the camera against the backdrop of Leeds Grand Theatre auditorium

Credits include Brief Lives (BBC Radio 4, guest writer, produced by Gary Brown); Punching The Sky (ACE funded, writer, performer, Northern Tour), a collaboration with The Lowry and Live Theatre which ended at Soho Theatre as part of A Nation’s Theatre Festival; Down To Zero (ACE funded, writer) which ran for two weeks at Alphabetti Theatre in Newcastle and won several awards including Best North East Fringe Award and Best Actor (British Theatre Guide, Best of the North East); I’m Muslamic Don’t Panik by Bobak Champion (dramaturg, in development) which challenges stereotypes about the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Middle East.

Guest artists

Every year, LAIT are joined by a number of guest artists who contribute to our young actors’ development. Each artist delivers a specific masterclass designed to introduce new skills to our members and provide them with vital tools to navigate such a densely populated industry.

A bearded man with shoulder-length hair and in a green jumper, Sam Kenyon, poses with arms crossed for a headshot

Sam Kenyon

Specialism: Vocal Coaching, Singing

Sam Kenyon is a writer, composer and teacher based in London, who has taught singing for over 20 years. His writing credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation and Miss Littlewood (Royal Shakespeare Company), and I Am Not Raymond Wallace (Inkandescent).

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A black and white photo of a Paul Birch in a striped blazer gesticulating towards someone he is directing

Paul Birch

Specialism: Improv, Playwrighting

Paul is a playwright, director and improviser who has made work with and for Audible, the BBC, Bristol Old Vic, Next Door But One, York Theatre Royal and more. He trained in improv at North American schools like the legendary Second City. He is currently Artistic Director of Riding Lights Theatre Company.

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Photo of Dawn Holgate

Dawn Holgate

Specialism: Dance, Choreography

Dawn Holgate trained as a dancer at London Contemporary Dance School and spent much of her career with Phoenix Dance Theatre. Dawn is a course leader at The Mill School of Performance and is co-choreographing Dance School, an upcoming Channel 4 series.

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Previous shows

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The cast of Find A Partner stand with one fist raised above their heads and are shouting. The cast wear green boiler suits, apart from one man who wears a pink waist coat and pink leather jacket.
A group of actors dressed in black crowd around each other with their hands held out
One actor sits on a block in a feather boa and bridal headpiece, while another looks down at him also wearing a feather boa

Since launching in 2018, our young actors from LAIT have put on performances and productions across Leeds Grand Theatre Studio, City Varieties Music Hall and Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton.

Explore our gallery of photos for a taste of our past productions.