One of the National Theatre’s major and best-loved productions, War Horse comes to Leeds this August. Book now!

A group of young performers in the Addams Family looking happily past the camera

Leeds Grand Youth Theatre

Leeds Grand Youth Theatre (LGYT) is a thriving, vibrant company open to all young people aged 8-18 based at Leeds Grand Theatre Studio.

Youth theatre sessions are run by Director Lizi Patch, Choreographer Dawn Holgate and Musical Director Pete Rosser, plus a range of visiting artists. LGYT is an inclusive group open to all abilities, supported by our Learning & Engagement Team.

A year with the company costs £480 (£160 per term, the company meets every Saturday during term-time). Free places are available upon application.

Read our LGYT Info Pack 2024-25 or email us to find out more. Apply today through our Youth Theatre Online Application form.

Please note that we currently have a waiting list to join youth theatre due to high demand. Applications are closed for over 11s.

“My daughter comes out buzzing each week. The way everyone is encouraged and all the children grow in confidence is a joy to see.”

Parent of LGYT member

A purple logo ribbon, reading Inclusive Activity Award

Scope Inclusive Activity Award

At LGYT, we have successfully completed Scope’s Inclusive Activity Award, having demonstrated our commitment to include young people with access requirements and continually review our provision.

Get in touch via learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com to find out how we can best support your child.

Meet LGYT’s artistic leaders

A headshot of Lizi Patch smiling at the camera with her body tilted slightly and crossing her arms

Lizi Patch: Artistic Director

Lizi has been Artistic Director of Young People’s Theatre since LGYT’s inception in 2012. She is a director, writer and dramaturg, with a particular passion for creating theatre with young people and mentoring new artists.

To date, she has directed 12 full-scale musicals, written and directed several new plays for LGYT, and directed contemporary works including Find A Partner (Miriam Battye) and The Maladies (Carmen Nasr) with Leeds Actors in Training. Lizi has had a varied career, including running her own theatre company, writing afternoon plays for Radio 4, touring her own work across the country, and working with artists to help bring their work to fruition.

www.lizipatch.com

A picture of a woman from the shoulders up. She is smiling and looking up.

Dawn Holgate: Choreographer

Dawn trained as a professional dancer at London Contemporary Dance School and spent much of her professional career as a dancer with Phoenix Dance Theatre before becoming the company’s first Education Manager.

Dawn is the dance course leader at The Mill School of Performance and is co-choreographing an upcoming Channel 4 series called Dance School.

She has been working with Leeds Heritage Theatres for over 10 years as Choreographer and Movement Director for regular sessions and productions with LGYT, as well as with Leeds Actors in Training.

Find out more
A picture of Pete from the neck up. He is singing in the picture.

Pete Rosser: Musical Director

Pete is Musical Director for Leeds Grand Youth Theatre; pianist for ballet and contemporary dance classes at Northern School of Contemporary Dance (Leeds); freelance accompanist for In Harmony Opera North; accordionist with Trio Globo; pianist in ORB Trio with Richard Ormrod (saxes/guitar) and Paul Baxter (bass).

He runs a monthly jazz workshop and a fortnightly community choir in Wakefield. He is Promoter (booker and MC) for Wakefield Jazz, and he is an ABRSM examiner (jazz/classical/diplomas).

www.peterosser.co.uk

Previous shows

View all 16 images
Willy Wonka stood with his factory gates and cane
Grandpa Joe holds his hand in a salute while the other grandparents in stripy socks look on
Mike Teavee sings out towards the audience with his parents, Wonka, Charlie and Cherry the reporter in the background
Charlie and Grandpa Joe sing towards each other with the Buckets in the background

Since launching in 2012, LGYT has packed out City Varieties Music Hall and Howard Assembly Room with twelve full-scale musicals and a range of contemporary plays, devised works and cabaret-style showcases.

“We’ve been watching the youth theatre performances a few years now and I can say with great certainty Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was by far the best. The cast were truly mesmerising and so skilled, especially Wonka. It was mind-blowingly good.”

“Is there a way we can contact the youth theatre to tell them how wonderful they are? We were blown away. Absolutely fantastic show.” (Audience feedback, 2025)

Gallery

View all 9 images
Three actors playing the Ronettes smile during a break in rehearsals.
A group of young people at youth theatre huddle around crouching on the floor with paper puppets
4 young members look on inquisitively. A boy and a girl sat in front of two girls stood behind.
A group of three young actors during a singing session with a keyboard in the front of frame

More opportunities

4 LGYT members sit linked, singing and smiling

Members’ Area

An exclusive area for current members to access information and rehearsal material for sessions and productions, and share thoughts and ideas.

Log in
Three women laughing. Lizi Patch left with right hand on right hip, girl in middle sat laughing, girl on right facing away from camera with hands crossed.

Leeds Actors in Training

A studio-based vocational programme for young people (aged 18-25 years) to challenge and develop their performance skills alongside industry professionals.

Find out more