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A group of actors pose for the camera during a production of Truth

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

Founded in 2018, LAIT was developed in response to a call from young people interested in an acting career, looking for alternative high-quality training and skills development opportunities to the traditional (and prohibitively expensive) drama school route.

The year-long course, run by Lizi Patch, Artistic Director Young Peoples Theatre, plus professional working artists, 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 prep, the programme is a perfect training ground for those taking their first steps in the industry.

In previous years, LAIT has performed in the Studio at Leeds Grand Theatre and Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton.

“LAIT has been fundamental in my acting training this year; it has allowed me to balance essential training with work and auditions. There is very little else out there for young actors trying to make their first step into the industry. LAIT is one of a kind.” Niamh Hendron

A man and woman in an embrace. Both look concerned.

Niamh Hendron and Adan Osbourne in I Am England July 2018. Credit Maria Spadafora

Interested?

Applications for LAIT 2021-22 have now closed. 

Find out more about the programme in our Information Pack.

Keep an eye on this page and our social channels for future opportunities.

View all 9 images
A group of actors in front of a projector screen saying 'Shall we cut the cake'. A man has his arm round a woman in a lab coat with her arms folded.
A man pointing ahead of him while talking. A woman in the background looks at him.
A man and woman in an embrace. Both look concerned.
Three actors standing in a row speaking to each other.

Guest Artists

So far, Term 1 guest artists include dance artist James Therobot and composer/writer/vocal coach Sam Kenyon.

A man with a beard standing with his arms folded

Sam Kenyon (Writer, Composer, Vocal Coach)

Sam Kenyon is a writer, composer and teacher based in London.  He read English at Cambridge University before training in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music. After performing for 12 years, he began directing and composing.

In 2016 he wrote the music for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation, which toured nationally, and in which the mechanicals were played by local amateur companies, and the fairies by local schoolchildren. His first full-length show, Miss Littlewood, based on the life of maverick theatre director, Joan Littlewood, premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2018. His first novel, I Am Not Raymond Wallace, will be published by Inkandescent in 2022.

He has taught singing for over 20 years to professional singers and actors, focussing especially on technical safety and vocal development, as well as on repertoire and style. Visit www.samkenyon.com

A man jumping in the air against a cream background.

James Therobot (Dance Artist)

James began his career in dance as a Bboy and popper.  He has a specific interest in the cultural context of dance, and movement as legacy.  His performance experience ranges from theatre and touring work including spoken word and promenade, to cruise ships, street shows and dance for camera. James has worked as a rehearsal director for hip hop theatre, project manager for community and participatory work, and has extensive teaching credits

Performance Highlights:  Got 2 Dance semi finals on Sky 1;  UK Bboy Championships, Brixton Academy; Performances for Redman, MethodMan, KRS One, Rahzel, De La Soul

Continued Professional Development:  Back 2 The Lab with SIN Cru. Jonzi D and Jonathon Burrows two week intensive leading to developing The Glorious Tour with Fly No Filter dance company;  Clowning two week intensive with Nalle Lanella from Stockholm University;  Asa Folkhogskola Bboy

Hear what LAIT members have to say…

Adan

Sophie

Bradley

Meet Lizi

A woman with dark hair standing in front of the auditorium smiling with her arms folded.

Lizi Patch, Artistic Director Young Peoples Theatre, runs Leeds Grand Youth Theatre and LAIT, as well as being a playwright, dramaturg and artist.

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 partners the Lowry and Live Theatre ending at Soho Theatre as part of A Nation’s Theatre Festival; Down To Zero (ACE funded, writer) which ran for two weeks at the 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), challenging stereotypes about the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Middle East.

Lizi also paints from her North Yorkshire home and started successfully selling her work over lockdown

http://www.lizipatch.co.uk