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Aerial shot of a youth theatre company in costume in City Varieties Music Hall

Leeds Grand Youth Theatre

Leeds Grand Youth Theatre is a thriving, vibrant company open to all young people aged between 8 and 17 years.

Leeds Grand Youth Theatre (LGYT) is a thriving, vibrant company open to all young people aged between 8 and 17 years based at Leeds Grand Theatre Studio. 

Sessions are run by LGYT’s Artistic Director Lizi Patch, Choreographer Dawn Holgate and Musical Director Pete Rosser, plus a range of visiting industry professionals.

LGYT is an inclusive group open to all abilities, supported by our Learning team.

A year with the company costs £435 (£145 per term, the company meets every Saturday during term-time). Bursaries are available upon application.

Download the LGYT Members Information Pack or email learning@leedsgrandtheatre.com for more information. Or apply today through our Youth Theatre Online Application form.

“My daughter comes out buzzing each week. To finish each year with a show is a real bonus. The way everyone is encouraged and included, and all the children grow in confidence, is a joy to see.”

Parent of LGYT member

Gallery

View all 8 images
Six young people look at scripts on a stage under dim blue light.
Four young people sit close together, one smiling directly at the camera.
Six young people sit close together and relaxed on a wooden theatre studio floor, one looking directly at the carmera.
A musician plays piano and young people stand around singing along.

LGYT Values

Written by current members.

In black and white, several young people sit together laughing.

Ethos

LGYT’s skilled professional leaders creatively challenge and support the development of every young person who comes through our doors.

Members develop theatre skills (acting, improvisation, dance, singing) alongside vital life skills (communication, focus, confidence, empathy, commitment, initiative, creative problem-solving).

LGYT is about nurturing the individual and learning the importance of working as an ensemble, while building creative skills and making lasting friendships.

LGYT members have progressed to join Leeds Actors in Training (LAIT) – our vocational training programme for ages 18 to 25 years – and even to form their own companies.

Meet LGYT’s Artistic Leaders

A choreographer leads a youth theatre company dance exercise.

Dawn Holgate: Choreographer

Lizi Patch © Matt Jamie

Lizi Patch: Artistic Director

A man's face, with glasses and a beard.

Pete Rosser: Musical Director

Past Shows Gallery

View all 11 images
Dress rehearsal photo of Little Shop of Horrors: a boy and a girl stand facing each other, the boy holding a 1950s telephone, while on the left behind him a giant flower looms.
Group of ten young people pose together surrounding a small green puppet of a plant
A theatre auditorium in dark/bottle green lighting: a youth theatre company stand on the stage with a giant flower on the left hand side of the stage.
Aerial shot of a youth theatre company in costume in City Varieties Music Hall

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

“Saw a fabulous performance of #LittleShopofHorrors @CityVarieties So polished that I had to keep reminding myself that this was a youth theatre! Well done to all involved.”

Twitter audience feedback (July 2019)

“Absolutely first class production, there was a palpable vibe of fun and a total commitment from the entire cast who were obviously determined to send the audience away with a smile on their face… and they achieved this in spades.”

Facebook audience feedback (July 2019)

How to join

Download the LGYT Members Info Pack 2020-21 for more information and apply today through our Youth Theatre Online Application form.

To request this form in a different format email learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com.

Four young people sit relaxed close together.

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
Group of five young adults rehearsing on stage in front of white screen, two sitting three standing

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

Donate Now

Collectively our venues have been open for 400 years. Until now. Now our future is uncertain.

We’re doing all that we can to ensure our survival through this period, as well as prepare for the economic uncertainty that we know will follow.

We know these are financially difficult times for everybody, but if you can donate to help us continue to thrive, not just survive after reopening, we would be forever grateful.

Donate now