Theatre and Dance

Throwing open its doors for the beginning of a new season of workshops, drop-in sessions, projects and performances, First Floor, West Yorkshire Playhouse's space for young people, will hold an Open Day for anyone aged between 11 and 19, professionals working with young people or for families who are curious to discover what's happening in the Playhouse's newest space (First Floor was opened in January 2009).

Improv in action at First Floor

The Open Day provides the opportunity to take a tour of the visual arts space, green room, offices and brand-new performance space. There will be the chance to try out workshop sessions in music, drama and visual art or simply to have a chat with the Arts Development team about how to get involved and Gareth Rae from the Beautiful Octopus club crew will be entertaining people with his DJing skills.

The dedicated Arts Development team will be announcing the line-up for Autumn 2009, from performance projects such as Leeds Routes for the city’s Light Night celebrations, to regular art, music and drama sessions. There is also the chance to get involved in projects or simply to pop in and watch a performance or two.

First Floor has three high profile patrons. Coronation Street’s tearaway David Platt, Leeds actor Jack P. Shepherd, star of film, theatre and TV, Christopher Eccleston as well as Leeds Central MP, Hilary Benn.

Jack Shepherd explained his reasons for his patronage: "Doing drama helped me switch on as a kid when I wasn't doing well at school, and I found acting increased my confidence in everyday life and got me more interested in subjects back at school. I want other kids to have that experience."

First Floor occupies the first floor of St Peter's building (opposite the BBC Leeds building) on St Peter's Square and was until 2007, the home to thousands of the theatre's props. Extensive building work was carried out during 2008.

WYP First Floor - Young People's Open Day is on Saturday 26 September 2009 from 11am to 4pm.