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 £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@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
LGYT Values
(written by current members)
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.
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 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 up-coming Channel 4 series called Dance School.
She has been working with Leeds Heritage Theatres for over 10 years, choreographing productions with LGYT and LAIT.
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).
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)
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.