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 YOU GET OUT OF IT? As a CVYT Co member you will - Develop skills and confidence in theatre and knowledge of the profession working with freelance professional Directors: Lizi Patch (Director, Writer and Performer) and Sam Dunkley (Musical Director, Vocal Coach, Songwriter, Performer) with regular input from our pool of professional artists also working in the industry. - Take part in weekly, term-time, workshops and masterclasses at Leeds Grand Theatre s Grand Studio leading to a public autumn Sharing Night and a full-scale Musical in the Summer Term (please see below for further details). - Perform in some of the most beautiful venues in the city with full technical support from the venue s resident and visiting technicians. Our very popular annual Musical is staged at the City Varieties Music Hall, and the public Sharing Nights and Pick n Mix s have taken place at the Howard Assembly Rooms and the City Varieties. - Have the opportunity to take part in other creative city-wide opportunities (as youth organisers and performers) throughout the year. Past opportunities have included The Queen s Diamond Jubilee performance in the presence of the Queen and Prince Philip, Child Friendly Leeds Awards and the Grand Futures Leeds Launch. - Make friends and laugh a lot! Group Performances 8 11yrs 12 15yrs Summer Term 2016: Fri 5 th August Sat 6 th August (The Addams Family) 16 21yr
WHEN ARE THE CLASSES? Classes are divided into different age groups and will rehearse on Saturdays, during term time only: Saturdays: 11am 12:30pm (8 11yr olds) 1:30pm 3pm (12 15yr olds) 4pm 6pm (16 21yr olds) WHAT S THE COST? 420/year for a 34 week course, including involvement in two productions. This can be paid up front or in three termly instalments of 140: Payment Schedule: For Spring Term 2016 For Summer Term 2016 For Autumn Term 2016 140 due by Saturday 5th December 140 due by Saturday 19th March 140 due by Saturday 23rd July 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 Pat Bruce on 0113 2977041. 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: learning@cityvarieties.co.uk TERM DATES: Group Spring Term 2016 Additional Rehearsals/notes 8 11yrs 11am 12:30pm 12 15yrs 1:30pm 3pm 16 21yrs 4pm 6pm Sat 9 th Jan Sat 6 th Feb 2016 (5 sessions) [Half Term] Sat 20 th Feb Sat 19 th March (5 sessions) N.B. Sat 20 th Feb is the last Saturday in the Half Term Break
Group Summer Term 2016 Additional Rehearsals 8 11yrs 11am 12:30pm 12 15yrs 1:30pm 3pm 16 21yrs 4pm 6pm Sat 16 th April Sat 23 rd April (2 sessions) [30 th April Bank Holiday Weekend No Classes] Sat 7 th May 21 st May 2016 (3 sessions) [Half Term] Thurs 28 th July Sat 30 th July (Rehearsals) Mon 1 st Aug Thurs 4 th Aug (Tech & Dress rehearsal) Fri 5 th Aug Sat 6 th Aug (The Addams Family) Sat 4 th June 23 rd July 2016 (8 sessions) N.B. Sat 4 th June is the last Saturday in the Half Term Break 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 Theatre Company have 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, Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan the British Musical and Oliver!. Our 8-10yrs group have presented Alice in the News and Daffodil Scissors. Challenging their imaginations and developing new skills, the young people devised and performed several devised pieces of work - Valentine, The Summer Snowball, Pick n Mix and Frankly Prince Charming You re Just Not Me Type. The City Varieties Youth Theatre Company 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 has received from 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 selfesteem 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. - 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 is passionate advocate for the power of young people s theatre and pretty vocal about the importance of the creative arts as a whole! She has 24 years experience producing, directing and writing projects locally and nationally in theatre, school and community settings including work for the Carriageworks Academy, Leeds; the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough; All Change Arts, London; Y Touring Theatre, London and Polka Theatre, Wimbledon. Her own plays have been shown at the Etcetera Theatre (London), West Yorkshire Playhouse, Live Theatre, the Lowry, the Hub and Theatre in the Mill and 2016 sees Soho Theatre, Hull Truck, Square Chapel, Harrogate Studio, Derby Studio, Seven Arts, Barnsley Civic and Cast added to the list. Lizi also writes for BBC Radio 4 www.lizipatch.co.uk Sam Dunkley (Musical Director) Sam is a musician, educator and presenter. He established and runs Performing Arts etc., an organisation which provides impactful, interactive workshops to schools, theatre, community groups and for corporate clients. Having conducted at the Royal Albert Hall, performed for Opera North, composed for the BBC and the Arts Council, presented at Symphony Hall and run workshops for Sing Up, the NUT and Youth Music, he is experienced and respected in his field. Sam is passionate about providing musical opportunities to young people and adults. www.samdunkley.co.uk
Learning Team Rachel Lythe (Head of Learning) and Richard Priestley (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. Richard supports the weekly sessions and can be found in Stage Door before or after the session, should you wish to discuss anything with him.
CITY VARIETIES YOUTH THEATRE COMPANY: APPLICATION FORM TO APPLY FOR A PLACE PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FORM (2-SIDED) AND RETURN TO: Richard Priestley, Learning Assistant, Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House Ltd, 46 New Briggate Leeds, LS1 6NZ. Tel: 0113 2977042 Email: learning@cityvarieties.co.uk 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) 420 for the year s fees due by 5 th December 2015 (please make cheques payable to Leeds Grand Theatre) In three instalments of 140 due by the end 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 midterm 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: Relationship to child: Print Name: Date: