Theatre Club Engages Young People at Leeds Heritage Theatres

New project with Co-op Academy Nightingale offers creative workshops and theatre visits

Leeds Heritage Theatres has been running a Theatre Club in partnership with Co-op Academy Nightingale in Harehills, aimed at engaging children aged 8 to 10 with theatre and the arts. The initiative, which began in early 2025, combines weekly drama sessions in school with visits to local theatres, providing young participants with opportunities to develop confidence, teamwork, and creative skills.

Project Overview

The Theatre Club is part of Leeds Heritage Theatres’ Learning and Engagement Team’s efforts to make the arts accessible to young people and foster a sense of belonging within the city’s cultural venues. The project encourages children to explore theatre through creative workshops and live performances, while also learning about the history and stories associated with the venues.

Each academic year, a group of children participates in sessions both at their school and in the theatres. The club aims to help participants see theatre buildings as vibrant spaces full of opportunities and to inspire them to consider future involvement in the arts.

Activities and Experiences

• Initial sessions: The group began by establishing shared promises to create a safe and inclusive environment. Activities included drama games that promoted imagination, character development, and teamwork.
• The Grand Theatre visit: Participants visited Leeds Grand Theatre for a tour and performed short scenes in various parts of the building, using props and costumes to bring stories to life.
• Pantomime preparation: Ahead of attending Aladdin: The Rock ’n’ Roll Panto, the children explored classic pantomime characters and costume design, trying on costumes and creating mood boards.
• Live theatre experience: The group attended the pantomime performance, many for the first time, engaging actively with the show and enjoying the interactive elements.
• Reflection and sharing: After the pantomime, children discussed their favourite characters and scenes, and prepared for an open session where they showcased their skills and teamwork to parents.

Impact and Future Plans

Theatre Club participants have shown growth in confidence, communication, and collaboration. Feedback from parents highlighted the positive effects on children’s self-expression and participation. The project plans to continue developing, with the current term focusing on children devising and performing their own theatre pieces.

Leeds Heritage Theatres is also collaborating with the Centre for Cultural Value at the University of Leeds to research the impact of such programmes, aiming to enhance future offerings.

Supporting the Programme

Leeds Heritage Theatres works with over 10,000 young people annually through various creative learning and engagement activities. Donations to the Leeds Heritage Theatres Engagement Fund help sustain and expand these initiatives across the Leeds City Region.

For more information, visit the original article on Leeds Heritage Theatres’ website.