Leeds Grand Youth Theatre
Leeds Grand Youth Theatre is a thriving, vibrant company open to all young people aged between 8 and 18 years.
Leeds Grand Youth Theatre (LGYT) is a thriving, vibrant company open to all young people aged between 8 and 18 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 & Engagement 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
Summer Sharing 2021 Videos
In place of their usual summer musical, Leeds Grand Youth Theatre (LGYT) presented an evening of original writing, songs and choreography on Sat 31 July 2021. This was accompanied by three short behind-the-scenes films by film-maker Kerry Maule to document and celebrate everything they have achieved despite the pandemic.
Group One, aged 8-11, created Where Are We Now?, a short new play with original songs inspired by the people and events surrounding the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
Group Two, aged 11-14, performed five songs in Both Sides Now to tell us something about what moves them, what frustrates them and what gives them hope.
Group Three, aged 14-17, performed Stars, an original musical written by 16-year-old Gabriel Owens, who has been a member of the Youth Theatre for eight years.
LGYT Values
(written by current members)
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
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 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
Dawn Holgate: Choreographer
Dawn Holgate is Course Leader for the Foundation Dance Degree at Leeds City College. She is also an avid community dance practitioner in Leeds and across the East Riding of Yorkshire, where she currently coordinates 11 youth dance groups and is the Artistic Director of the East Riding Youth Dance County Company.
Dawn is currently studying for her Master’s Degree in Choreography at Leeds Beckett University and her interests lie in themes associated with cultural and personal identity and community dance.
Pete Rosser: Musical Director
Pete is a composer, pianist, accordionist and songwriter, working in community music and theatre across the UK for over 30 years. Specialist subjects: jazz, tango and improvisation.
Previous shows
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.
