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.
LGYT is an inclusive group open to all abilities, run by our Youth Theatre Programme Director and Learning & Engagement team, supported by a range of specialist artists including Movement Director Dawn Holgate and Musical Director Jacob Savage.
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 2026-27 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
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.
Youth Theatre Programme Director
Sophie-Jade Howell: Youth Theatre Programme Director
Sophie-Jade Howell (SJ) is a Leeds-based youth theatre director and facilitator, passionate about creating brilliant theatre with and for young people. She believes every young person deserves to have their voice heard and is committed to making theatre accessible, inclusive, creative, joyful and fun.
Previously at York Theatre Royal, SJ has worked across building-based youth theatres, schools, community projects and professional theatre settings, supporting young people at every stage of their creative development. She has commissioned new writing for young people and is currently writing a book with Eleanor Manners about directing youth theatre.
SJ began her career at Leeds Playhouse before leading the Young People’s Programme at the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh for five years, where she established Lyceum Young Company to bridge youth theatre and professional practice. She has also been Project Manager at Youth Theatre Arts Scotland, managed the young people’s programme for Bradford Literature Festival, and worked with Interplay Theatre on a sensory youth theatre programme for young people with SEND and profound and multiple learning disabilities.
Her directing work spans large-scale productions, Shakespeare, devised performance, site-specific theatre and brand-new musicals. She loves taking on new creative challenges alongside young people.
Supporting Artists
Dawn Holgate: Choreographer
Dawn trained as a professional dancer at London Contemporary Dance School and spent much of her performing career with Phoenix Dance Theatre, where she was instrumental in developing the Company’s education department.
For over three decades, Dawn has worked across dance performance, education, community practice, choreography and creative leadership. As Artistic Director of East Riding Youth Dance, she led 17 years of inspirational grassroots youth dance work. 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. In 2021, she choreographed Aladdin at CAST in Doncaster and was Co-Movement Director for the Freedom Project at Leeds Playhouse.
Find out more
Jacob Savage: Musical Director
After winning the prestigious John Ogdon Scholarship in consecutive years, Jacob went on to gain a first class degree in Popular Music Composition from Leeds Conservatoire in just two years, where he is currently a lecturer. During this time he became a featured artist on BBC Radio One with his duo ‘alphabet.’ This led to a career in song-writing, working with numerous major record labels and collaborating on multiple chart hits as both a writer and musician.
He held the first residency at Leeds’ iconic Domino Club and had played regularly at many of Europe’s top jazz clubs. Jacob has since delved into the world of musical theatre as Musical Director, as both panellist and accompanist on many West End, regional and touring productions, including regular with BYMT, the UK’s largest producer of new musicals.
Find out more
Previous shows
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
More opportunities
Members’ Area
An exclusive area for current members to access information and rehearsal material for sessions and productions, and share thoughts and ideas.
Coming soon
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
Leeds Heritage Theatres Learning and Engagement Fund
Every year, we work with over 10,000 young people across the city, in schools, youth groups and other sessions to help them build skills, confidence and pride through our creative learning and engagement programme. All donations to this fund will help us to continue our work and reach more people across the Leeds City Region.