The City Varieties
Youth Theatre Company
ARE YOU AGED 8-21YRS?
Would you like to be involved in an exciting and thriving city centre Youth Theatre Company? Would you like to tread the boards of our historic Music Hall and other major venues as part of the City Varieties Youth Theatre Company and work alongside professional artists, developing your skills and meeting likeminded young people?
Are you nodding? If you are we’d love to hear from you as we currently have a small amount of spaces available. Why not apply today and join us?
WHAT WILL I GET OUT OF IT?
As a CVYT Co member you will…
-have a solid introduction to the world of professional theatre, working with freelance professional Directors: Lizi Patch (Director, Writer and Performer), Rich Huxley (Musical Director) and Emma Stead (trainee choreographer) as well as visiting professionalchoreographers, musicians, actors, circus artists, and puppeteers
-take part in weekly creative workshops at Leeds Grand Theatre’s Grand Studio during term time (34 classes + a summer production week) which run over 3 terms throughout the year
-explore the City Varieties’ rich history and develop skills in traditional theatre, devising and contemporary theatre practice
-be involved in two full-scale productions a year (please see below for further details)
Group / Performance8-10yrs / Tuesday 24th March 2014 TBC
11-15yrs (Sat) / TBC
11-15yrs (Tues) / Friday 24th & Saturday 25th July 2014
16-21yrs / Friday 24th & Saturday 25th July 2014
WHEN ARE THE CLASSES?
Classes are divided into different age groups and will rehearse on the following days, during term time only:
Saturdays:
11am – 12:30pm (8-10yr olds)
1:30 – 3pm (11 – 15yr olds)
Tuesdays:
5.30-7pm (11-15yr olds)
7.15-9.15pm (16-21yr olds)
WHAT’S THE COST?
£390/year for a 34 week course, including involvement in two productions. This can be paid up front or in three termly instalments of £130:
Payment Schedule:
For Autumn Term 2014 £130 is due by 01/07/2014
For Spring Term 2015 £130 is due by 01/12/2014
For Summer Term 2015£130 due by 01/03/2015
To participate in the classes, payment must be received before the beginning of each new term. Please make cheques payable to Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House Ltd. To make a payment over the phone, please contact Rachael Moore on 0113 2977045.
Any requests for alternative payment plans will be considered if discussed with the Learning team in advance. Please note we also offer a limited number of bursaries; if you would like to find out more about this, please contact the learning team for a bursary application form:
TERM DATES:
8-10yrs
(Sat)
11am – 12:30pm / Sat 10th Jan – Sat 7th Feb
(Half Term)
Sat 28thFeb – Sat 28th Mar / Sat 25th Apr – Sat 16th May
(Half Term)
Sat 6th Jun – Sat 11th Jul / TBC
11 – 15yrs
(Sat)
1:30 – 3pm / Sat 10th Jan – Sat 7th Feb
(Half Term)
Sat 28thFeb – Sat 28th Mar / Sat 25th Apr – Sat 16th May
(Half Term)
Sat 6th Jun – Sat 11th Jul / TBC
11 – 15yrs (Tues)
5:30 – 7pm / Tues 13thJan – Tues 10th Feb
(Half Term)
Tues 3rdMar – Tues 31st Mar / Tues 28th Apr – Tues 19th May
(Half Term)
Tues 9th Jun – Tues 14th Jul
/ w/c 20th July 2014
16 – 21yrs (Tues)
7:15 – 9:15pm / Tues 13thJan – Tues 10th Feb
(Half Term)
Tues 3rdMar – Tues 31st Mar / Tues 28th Apr – Tues 19th May
(Half Term)
Tues 9th Jun – Tues 14th Jul / w/c 20th July 2014
THE CITY VARIETIES YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY
Built in 1865, our grade II* listed building is one of only four surviving Music Halls from the Victorian period and the only one to have continually provided a programme of variety throughout the years. Harry Houdini, Lily Langtry and Vesta Tilley are just a few of the great Victorian performers to have taken to the stage and we look forward to welcoming YOU onto that very stage.
Since July 2012, The City Varieties Youth TheatreCompanyhave performed a variety of shows and wowed packed audiences with their “level of skill and professionalism”. Working alongside a professional pit band, a full technical team and a professional props and set designer, the cast took to the stage with full-scale musicals ‘Return to the Forbidden Planet’ and ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. Challenging their imaginations and developing new skills, the young people devised and performed 3 new pieces of work - ‘Valentine’, ‘The Summer Snowball’ and ‘Pick ‘n’ Mix’.
The City Varieties Youth TheatreCompany promotes excellence and creativity and is committed to being accessible and a safe environment for all people regardless of their gender, ethnic origin, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation or for any other unfair reason. When joining City Varieties Youth Theatre, all young people agree to a code of conduct that ensures everybody gets the best out of the experience.
PRAISE FOR CITY VARIETES YOUTH THEATRE
“If this is the standard of youth theatre in Leeds, we have not a thing to worry about in terms of the future of our city’s cultural offerings. I eagerly await CVYT’s next performance.”Adam Zed. Leeds List
“(My son) is passionate about CVYT, his confidence and self-esteem are rocketing positively since he began 18 months ago.”Youth Theatre Parent
“A huge piece of work for all concerned and a great bit of entertainment… thanks to you all for a great and grand night out.”Audience Member
“…none of this would have been possible for (my son) without the training, encouragement and support he hasreceivedfrom all at CVYT.”Youth Theatre Parent
“During a winter of austerity, this was conducive to the kind of theatre experience that stays with you for a long time after you have seen the spectacle.”Review
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to you all for the difference being part of the youth theatre has made to my daughter’s life. It has made a real positive impact on her self-esteem and confidence.” Youth Theatre Parent
CITY VARIETIES YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY AIMS:
For us the emphasis of the Youth Theatre is on helping to facilitate the development of strong, confident, versatile young performers. Performers who have the opportunity to work with professional artists from the industry and who, consequently, have a realistic idea of the nature of how the business is run. There is always room to reflect and learn from our participants and as such we nurture an ongoing creative dialogue between directors, visiting artists, CVYT management and you, the participants.
-To welcome, nurture and develop the next generation of theatre professionals under the tutelage of experienced professionals working in the business
-To train young people to be versatile performers, equipping them with a range of skills rooted in traditional variety right through to contemporary theatre practice
-To draw from the traditions of early variety and music hall, exploring the notion of theatre as a tool for social change and personal development for a new generation
-To contextualise these skills, producing a range of work including an annual full scale musical at City Varieties Music Hall and a winter show in the Howard Assembly Room alongside smaller projects throughout the City of Leeds and beyond
-To prepare young performers for further training and professional work within the industry
-To celebrate creativity and excellence
-To increase City Varieties Music Hall’s reputation as a leading venue for hosting new talent and artists of the future
-To promote best practice, equality and diversity
CITY VARIETIES YOUTH THEATRE DIRECTORS
Lizi Patch (Artistic Director)
Lizi is a director, writer, theatre maker and performer based in North Yorkshire. She has 24years’ experience developing and running projects locally and nationally in theatre, school and community settings including Raised Eyebrow Theatre Company and Raised Eyebrow Youth Theatre; Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough; C&T Theatre Worcester; YTouring Theatre, London and Polka Theatre, Wimbledon.
She is also Director of the CYC FUSE Youth Theatres; Director/Writer for the CarriageworksAcademy (in association with Leeds-based Company, Theatre Blah Blah Blah) Spring and Summer 2013 shows, Associate Director for PLaY Theatre and Associate Artist with electric angel design in Scarborough and Dhyaan Design, York.
Lizi also writes for BBC Radio 4.
Rich Huxley (Musical Director)
Rich is a skilled musician with a wealth of experience in the music industry as a band member of Hope and Social and the Gary Stewart Band and thoroughly enjoys working with budding musicians of all ages. Although primarily a guitarist, he also plays piano, double bass, bass guitar, drums, glockenspiel, Hammond organ, multifarious percussion and Fender Rhodes.
Rich is the Music Mentor for Amp Awards, music-leader of community music project “Ukulele Junction” and has orchestrated education projects, including ‘Skipton Rocks’ and ‘A Band Anyone Can Join’.
Emma Stead (Choreographer)
Emma has been a dancer for 11 years and has recently completed 2 years of training at a professional dance college. She is trained in a wide variety of styles, with a particular interest in Commercial Dance. She has experience in teaching a wide variety of people and tailors her choreography and teaching style to suit the needs and skills of each individual. Emma encourages and welcomes everybody to join in and have a go!
Learning Team
Rachel Lythe (Head of Learning) and Grace Dean (Heritage Learning Assistant) are two members of the learning team who you will come into contact with regularly. They provide administrative support for the youth theatre, manage the artistic team and liaise with other departments to ensure workshops, rehearsals and performances run smoothly. Grace supports the weekly sessions and can be found in Stage Door before or after the session, should you wish to discuss anything with her.
CITY VARIETIES YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY: APPLICATION FORM
Young person’s name:
Age: DOB:
Address:
Young person’s Email:
Young person’s mobile Tel Number (if appropriate):
Parent’s/Guardian’s E-mail:
We will communicate updates with you about the classes via email. If you would like us to send updates to more than one email please detail:
Parents/Guardian emergency Tel. Number:
Payment Details (please tick your preference)
£390 for the year’s fees due by 11thJanuary (please make cheques payable to Leeds Grand Theatre)
In three instalments of £130 due before the beginning of each term
The CANCELLATION POLICY
- Cancellations must be confirmed in writing and sent to Rachel Lythe, Head of Learning, a least two weeks prior to the start of the next term
- If you cancel after this point you will be charged in full for the following term.
- We will refund any pre-paid course fees for each full term not attended. We do not refund mid-term or pro rata.
Dropping Off and Collecting Information (please tick)
I understand that I must sign my child in with the Youth Theatre Directors at the Artists’ Entrance of The Grand Theatre on our arrival and pick up my child from the same point promptly at the end of each session.
I am happy for my child to be dropped off and collected by :
OR My child is over 14 years of age and they will be making their own way to and from the Grand Theatre and/or the City Varieties
Important Medical Information
Name & Address of Doctor
Allergies
Medical Conditions
Parent/ Guardian declaration (please tick)
I am happy for my child to take part in the City Varieties Youth Theatre classes and associated sessions.
I am happy for Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House Ltd to use photos, moving image and sound recordings of my child in press, publicity materials, learning resources, reports and online.
Signed: Print Name:
Relationship to child: Date: