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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.

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 & Engagement Team.

A year with the company costs £450 (£150 per term, the company meets every Saturday during term-time). Bursaries are available upon application.

Download the LGYT Members Information Pack or email learning@leedsheritagetheatres.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

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4 young members look on inquisitively. A boy and a girl sat in front of two girls stood behind.
LGYT and LAIT members pose for a photo while some are holding signs that read; oooh, aaah, laugh and applause
4 LGYT members are holding and reading scripts
Two youth theatre members are holding their arms up during a movement exercise

LGYT Values

(written by current members)

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

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 18-25 – and even to form their own companies.

A purple logo ribbon, reading Inclusive Activity Award

At Leeds Grand Youth Theatre, we have successfully completed Scope’s Inclusive Activity Award which means that we have demonstrated our commitment to include young people with access requirements and continually review our provision. Please get in touch via learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com to find out how we can best support your child.

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Meet LGYT’s Artistic Leaders

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

Lizi Patch: Artistic Director, Young People’s Theatre

Lizi is Artistic Director of Leeds Grand Youth Theatre and LAIT, as well as 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 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 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.

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

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, choreographing productions with LGYT and LAIT.

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 NSCD (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

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A performer in a black plaited wig points a bow and arrow in the direction of another young person on stage
A pair of performers pose as they walk through a gate on stage as other cast look on from the sidelines
A young performer in braces sitting down and speaking down the phone as another performer holds the phone stand
A big group of young people dressed in black and white and covered in ivy vines stand around a character in a leather jacket

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

“The Addams Family was such a fantastic show, everyone sparkled and worked so well together.” 

“What a wonderful performance it was last night at the City Varieties! There were so many talented young people on stage.” (Audience feedback, July 2023)

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