West Yorkshire Playhouse team launches young artists project

The 12-strong company is made up of 18 to 25-year-old early career artists from across Leeds, including actors, writers and theatre producers, DJs and live artists.

Under the guidance of West Yorkshire Playhouse’s Director of Creative Engagement Alexander Ferris and Associate Director Amy Leach, the group will spend a year exploring, interrogating and producing an eclectic range of work with opportunities to learn from professional theatre artists and use Playhouse resources to learn and develop their own skills.

Mr Ferris said: “The diversity of their skills, experience, art forms and opinions are going to provide a rich and fascinating process as they go forward on their creative journey.

“It’s the logical next step for many of the young people coming through our Playhouse Youth projects and our Furnace artistic development programme.”

The project comes as part of West Yorkshire Playhouse’s commitment to develop young artists in the region.

The new Young Company also furthers links the Playhouse’s award-winning Creative Engagement department, which works with over 10,000 people from a range of backgrounds every year, has with Furnace, the Playhouse’s comprehensive artistic development engine.

Ms Leach said: “Through Furnace, we are committed to the development of locally based artists at all stages of their career and to supporting them in creating and producing theatre.

“It is a delight to welcome such a brilliant, eclectic group of early career artists to the Playhouse in what will be a unique, bespoke journey of artistic exploration.”

The Playhouse is also looking forward to a £14m redevelopment starting in July.