Leeds Heritage Theatres is delighted to announce that Lizi Patch – director, playwright, dramaturg and artist – has been appointed Artistic Director Young People’s Theatre; the charity’s first ever permanent artistic role.
A significant milestone in the organisation’s long history, the appointment solidifies its commitment to delivering its charitable aims and participation in city-wide conversations that place young people at the heart of the region’s art and culture movement.
Forming part of the Learning management structure, the role will see Lizi continue to act as Artistic Director for Leeds Grand Youth Theatre (LGYT) and Leeds Actors in Training (LAIT), as well as evolve and raise the profile of the current programme of work on offer, including its training provision of placements and apprenticeships.
Every year over 10,000 people of all ages take part in Leeds Heritage Theatres’ learning and engagement programme supported by the Emerald Foundation. Upcoming activities/projects include a sharing of work by LGYT at City Varieties Music Hall on Saturday 31 July; participation in the University of Leeds’ International Medieval Congress on Thursday 8 July, where the youngest members of the group will present filmed extracts of their work on the battle of Agincourt; and the relaunch of LAIT in autumn 2021.
Quotes
Chris Blythe, CEO: “As our first ever permanent artistic role, this appointment represents an exciting development for Leeds Heritage Theatres. Having faced our hardest year yet, our commitment to bring people together through inspiring, engaging, and educational experiences remains at the heart of what we do as we reopen our doors once again.”
Rachel Lythe, Head of Learning: “We are delighted that Lizi is joining us as Artistic Director Young People’s Theatre. Having worked together for many years this partnership has continually evolved and resulted in an extraordinary creative training programme for young people through Leeds Grand Youth Theatre and Leeds Actors in Training. These activities have become the backbone of our creative engagement activities which sit alongside our work with schools, colleges, universities, and community partners. We can’t wait to develop our training further, exploring new partnerships across the city and ensuring young people’s voices drive any new opportunities.”
Lizi Patch, Artistic Director Young People’s Theatre: “Having worked in a freelance capacity at Leeds Heritage Theatres for almost a decade, I’m over the moon to accept this permanent position, at what has been an unimaginably difficult time for theatres and freelancers. It is a significant recognition by the charity of the vital role that the arts play in the lives of young people, and gives me the opportunity to deepen and expand the work of Leeds Grand Youth Theatre and Leeds Actors in Training, and further develop collaborative partnerships in Leeds and beyond.”
For more information about Leeds Heritage Theatres’ education programme go to www.leedsheritagetheatres.com.
