LEEDS GRAND THEATRE LAUNCHES TRAINING PROJECT FOR ASPIRING YOUNG ACTORS

Auditions for Leeds Actors in Training (LAIT), a pilot project being run in collaboration with Leeds Grand Theatre offering 18 to 23-year-olds a practical skills-building course for a career in theatre, are being held on Tuesday 10^th October.

Run by industry professionals, LAIT is designed to develop participating young artists vocally, physically and imaginatively, encouraging an independent and in-depth approach to work.

Auditionees will be required to perform a monologue (classical or contemporary) and take-part in an hour-long group workshop and individual interview. The session, run by Lizi Patch, Director, will end with a group Q&A session.

Lizi, a freelance writer, actor and director with more than 30 years’ experience, including Artistic Director of the City Varieties Youth Theatre, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be heading-up Leeds Actors in Training.

“Unique to Leeds, LAIT gives young adults the opportunity to access actor-training of the highest quality with support and insight from professional directors, actors, movement specialists, vocal coaches and producers across the year.”

Run over 30 weeks, LAIT will meet every Tuesday night at Leeds Grand Theatre from 6-8.30pm.

“For some years now I have wanted to provide high quality and meaningful actor training to young adults who are between school and further education/the workplace” added Lizi. “Passion and a good publicity photo will only get you so far in this industry. In my experience, to truly succeed, an actor must be skilled and committed with a strong grip on reality. A thick skin, good work ethic, generosity, imagination, tenacity and an interest in human behaviour are also vital.

“At LAIT, we will provide a supportive and vibrant space to help aspiring actors unlock their potential, develop skills, network and move to the next phase of their training/professional life with confidence and their eyes wide open!”

For more information and to download an application form visit www.cityvarieties.co.uk or call Hannah Johnson, Arts Administrator, on 0113 297 7042.

LIZI PATCH, DIRECTOR

Lizi originally studied as an actor at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama. She is currently the Artistic Director of the City Varieties Youth Theatre where she directs and produces up to seven shows a year with 60 young people aged 8-17-years-old.

In 2016 Lizi toured her own Arts Council funded show, Punching The Sky, a collaboration with partners the Lowry, Live Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse, ending at Soho Theatre in London as part of A Nation’s Theatre Festival.

Lizi also writes for Radio 4, most recently as a guest writer on their long running series Brief Lives, produced by Gary Brown (BBC Radio North). Lizi has been Script Writer for the Child Friendly Leeds Awards for the past three years, creating and writing the scripts with the young presenters. She has also been a guest Writer and Director for the Carriageworks Academy in Leeds, Freelance Animator for Woldgate College in Pocklington, Founder and Artistic Director of Raised Eyebrow Theatre Company/Raised Eyebrow Youth Theatre, Freelance Project Director/Writer for All Change Arts in London, Education Director for Y Touring Theatre Company in London and Education Officer for Polka Theatre For Children in Wimbledon.

Lizi is also on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Youth Theatre.