learning at leeds grand theatre and city varieties music hall · inspired by the british music...

Learning at Leeds Grand Theatreand City Varieties Music Hall

Contents

Primary Schools KS1 and KS2 4/5

Secondary Schools KS3 and KS4 6/7

Colleges and Universities 8

Families and Community Groups 8

City Varieties Youth Theatre Company 8

Planning your visit 10

The Learning Team is also happy to develop bespoke workshops and projects in partnership with you to create activities that meet your needs – please get in touch to discuss further.

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Since 2007 we’ve developed a unique heritage learning programme at Leeds Grand Theatre and City Varieties Music Hall. As a result, over 50,000 people have discovered forgotten stories, participated in learning events, performed in project work, listened to theatre talks and explored behind the scenes as wellas attended performances.

our inspiring venues offer a fantastic learning resource to discover more about Victorian life and entertainment, design and architecture and how the buildings work today. the unique design features and backstage facilities provide creative opportunities to explore Performing Arts, english, History, Maths, science and ICt skills through real life application. Business and enterprise skills are also encouraged throughout our projects. Read on to see how you could get involved and join us behind the scenes.

Why visit us?

The Learning Programme is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fundand the kind support of Yorkshire Bank.

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]: 0113 391 7783

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GRAnd stRuCtuRes WoRksHoPMain focus: Design & Technology, Science

1 tour of the theatre

1 use creativity, knowledge and problem-solving skills to design and build a tallescope out of newspaper – see who can make the strongest structure

1 explore the Grand’s state of the art flying system which uses pulleys to operate scenery

1 Build a simple electrical circuit

Duration: 2 hoursCost: £75 (+VAt)

VICtoRIAn MusIC HAll WoRksHoPMain focus: English, History, Music

1 tour the City Varieties Music Hall to find out what it was like to be a Victorian Music Hall star

1 discover the variety of popular acts that walked the boards including acrobats, singers, snakes and even a hypnotised alligator

1 Recreate scenes from the theatre’s opening night using costumes and items from our archives for inspiration


sPotlIGHts & sound effeCts WoRksHoPMain focus: Science

1 tour of the theatre

1 explore the world of light and sound in a practical workshop using real workplace examples

1 experiment with colour gels and simple instruments to discover how lighting and sound affect the mood of a performance


I will certainly be looking to organise a visit in Autumn term with my new class...

it will be a second home to us! Deputy Headteacher

these two (projects) have been some of the best work I have ever seen with

primary school children in my 25 years of teaching and it is largely down to your vision,

commitment and support Deputy Headteacher

Primary KS1 and KS2The workshops are differentiated for KS1 and KS2 pupils


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MuCH Ado ABouttHe GRAnd6 week Cross Curricular projectMain focus: English, Drama

1 through tours of the building, object handling workshops and character exploration participants will be immersed in the theatre’s opening night celebrations of ‘Much Ado About nothing’

1 ks1 pupils will focus on some of the key characters involved with this special occasion

1 ks2 pupils will perform some of the original speeches that were made from the stage

1 Participants will also have the opportunity to meet the experts and learn how to stage and market a performance

1 follow up work in school could conclude the project with a performance of ‘Much Ado About nothing’ with recreated scenes from the Grand’s opening night in 1878

Duration: 6 half-day sessions at leeds Grand theatreCost: £500 (+VAt)

PeRfoRMInG nuMBeRs6 week Cross Curricular projectMain focus: Maths

1 use maths to tackle real life challenges. Pupils will apply and develop their knowledge of metric measurements, ratios and angles focusing on the stage area and auditorium

1 Pupils will be tasked with designing their own theatre, deciding on an opening performance and creating a hanging plot for the scenery

1 Basic number skills will be used to calculate the profit made from tickets and percentage splits will be introduced

1 taking inspiration from the theatre’s detailed tiles shapes and patterns will be explored alongside symmetry, reflection and rotation before pupils create their own decorative patterns as part of their final theatre design


desIGnInG tHeAtRes6 week Cross Curricular projectMain focus: Art & Design, Design & Technology

1 explore the design and architecture of leeds Grand theatre and City Varieties Music Hall and investigate the use of internal and external spaces

1 examine materials, textures and designs before meeting and interviewing the professionals

1 Create your very own stage model

1 follow up activities in school could include transforming a classroom into an architect’s studio to exhibit project work. Accompanying lesson plans also available on request



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this project has beenfantastic and I never wantit to end Year 5 Pupil

A VAriETY oF THEATrE ToUrSArE ALSo AVAiLABLEsee insert at the back for full details

the activities and delivery were just right for the level of the students Teacher

It was fun to meet new people andit made me more confident.

I enjoyed learningabout the

history Year 10 Pupil

WoRld of WoRk WoRksHoPMain focus: Performing Arts, Drama, English, PSHEE

1 on a tour of the theatre explore the variety of job roles available before being set activities which re-create the real life challenges involved in running departments in a busy touring venue


GRAnd totAls WoRksHoPMain focus: Maths

1 on a tour of the theatre pupils will discover how maths is used to tackle real-world challenges

1 through a series of practical activities, pupils will learn the importance of working accurately when staging a show and will practice their functional skills with time and money calculations


Secondary KS3 and KS4The workshops are differentiated for KS3 and KS4 pupils

GRAnd AMBItIons5 week Business and Enterprise projectin partnership with Leeds2Success CIC

1 Young people are challenged to create a new theatre establishing its name, logo and branding

1 taking on different job roles the group will decide on the opening night performance, how it will be marketed, the overall budget and create examples of the merchandise that could be on sale

1 Participants will have the opportunity to meet experts from the theatre as well as colleagues from corporate partners

1 the project concludes with a live pitch made by the young people before a professional panel

1 the project is available for up to 15 young people and can be offered as study support

Duration: 5 half-day sessions at leeds Grand theatre/City Varieties Music HallCost: Costs can include transport and chaperoning – please contact the learning team for more information


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the experience pupilsgain from working at thetheatre has a really positiveeffect on learning, behaviourand self-esteem KS3 Oasis Manager

PRoduCtIon tAlksA number of theatre productions offer pre orpost show talks and events – have a look on ourwebsite for more details – www.leedsgrandtheatre.com.

ReWInd ReMIx6 week DJing project for pupils with challenging behaviour or learning difficultiesMain focus: English, ICT, History, Music

1 using dJing, photography and music production young people explore the theatre’s story, comparing the past with the present day. the project provides an opportunity to develop literacy, speaking and listening skills and aims to improve attendance, confidence, self-esteem, motivation and social skills

1 through tours of the theatre and music sessions with a dJ artist participants find out more about the types of music performed at the theatre and create their own remix

1 the project concludes with a presentation at Hyde Park Picture House which celebrates the pupils’ findings, their audio creations and remixes

1 early evaluation indicates that this project is having a positive effect on improving pupils’ learning, behaviour and emotional literacy

Duration: 6 half-day sessions at leeds Grand theatre/City Varieties Music Hall.Cost: Costs include dJ artist, equipment and can include the presentation venue; please contact the learning team for more information.

My time [at leeds Grand theatre]helped me a lot and has actually made me realise what career I would like to pursue when older. I genuinely had such a goodtime and would love to be a part of the theatre in the future Student on Work Experience


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A VAriETY oF THEATrE ToUrSArE ALSo AVAiLABLEsee insert at the back for full details

Families and Community Groups

You gave us an amazing week! We will definitely recommend our schools in the futureto come visit you and your lorry lift! Trainee Teacher University Placement

ARts & CultuRAl tHeAtRe touRs

theatre tours can be tailored to focus on a specific area of interest including history, architecture, art, photography, production arts or performing arts. Contact the learning team to discuss opportunities and to find out more about sketching and photography within our theatres.

Cost: £3/student (inc VAt)Minimum booking: 6 students

Colleges and Universities

CHIldRen’s BIRtHdAY PARtIesAt tHe tHeAtRe

transform into a Victorian theatre-goer and explore one of our venues as a VIP guest. discover hidden backstage areas and play a variety of fun games as we uncover the theatre’s story. Warm up in the wings and take to thestage for your debut!

Duration: 1 hourCost: £5/headMinimum booking: 10 children

oPen dAY & exHIBItIons

once a year we open our doors so that you can come and explore the theatres. Workshops, family fun activities, talks and demonstrations are available so you can get involved and discover more. dates of upcoming open days and exhibitions will be announced on our website.

Duration: VariesCost: free unless otherwise stated

PRoduCtIon tAlks

A number of theatre productions offer pre or post show talks and events – have a look on our website for more details.

CItY VARIetIesYoutH tHeAtRe CoMPAnY

the City Varieties Youth theatre Company in association with PlaY theatre are on the lookout for 8 – 21 year olds to join our Company. the Youth theatre focuses on skills inspired by the British Music Hall, Variety and Musicals. A small number of bursaries are available thanks to generous support from Yorkshire Bank.

to get involved please contact the learning team for an application form.

GRAnd AMBAssAdoRs

We have a group of Grand Ambassadors aged 14 – 18 years who meet once a term to find out what’s going on at the theatre for young people. Previous Ambassadors have been involved in theatre tours, workshops and projects as well as checking out a number of theatre performances.

Contact the learning team for more information.

We have been totally blown away by thelevel of professionalism and it surpassed allof our expectations Parent of Youth Theatre Participant


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ARCHIVe ReseARCH & lIVe BRIefs

find out more about the two theatres’ extensive archives. We have a number of research topics available and we’re happy to discuss any other ideas you would like to explore.

In partnership with local colleges and universities we can also issue live briefs that cover areas such as photography and film making.


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CoACH dRoP off/PICk uP PoInt

there are public bus stops opposite leeds Grand theatre which can be used for dropping off/picking up and traffic lights provide safe crossing.

the City Varieties Music Hall is within a pedestrianised area with heavily restricted vehicle access and the closest drop off point would be on the Headrow.

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WHeRe to fInd us

leeds Grand theatre is situated on new Briggate and parking is available at various nearby car parks, including edward street/templar street and the st John’s Centre and Merrion Centre shopping malls.

City Varieties Music Hall is situated right in the heart of leeds City centre on swan street, which links Briggate with lands lane. secure public parking is available nearby at the light (via Great George street) and st John’s Centre (via Merrion street).

the theatres are approximately 10 – 15 minutes’ walk from the main bus and rail stations so are easily accessible by public transport.

there are several parking spaces available nearby to disabled badge holders including the Headrow, Wormald Row and Mark lane.

BookInG leARnInG ACtIVItIes

to book tours, workshops and projects, or to find out more about the learning programme, please contact the learning team:

Tel: 0113 391 7783Email: [email protected] [email protected]

sessions are delivered by our expert learning team and take place in the Grand theatre’s learning suite which is equipped with an interactive whiteboard, handling objects, theatre archives and costumes to enhance learning opportunities. We are happy to cater for access and learning needs. If you’d like to continue teaching after a booked workshop, or your group needs somewhere to eat lunch, please ask about booking this space.

ResouRCes

the following resources can be downloaded from our websites:

1 Student resource pack

1 risk assessments

1 ice cream order form for the Grand Theatre (pre-theatre visit)

Planning your visit


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City Varieties Music Hallswan street, leeds ls1 6lW

[email protected]

Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House46 new Briggate, leeds ls1 6nZ

[email protected] P

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learning at leeds grand theatre and city varieties music hall · inspired by the british music...

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