*NEW LYO CASTING CALL*
Our new production of Shackleton the Musical is open to all – you don’t have to be a previous member of LYO to audition! We welcome existing and new members for this exciting opportunity.
Auditions for Shackleton are working a bit differently than other LYO productions. For starters, we are welcoming people between 10-22 into the cast, but will absolutely consider a couple of years either side for the show. Just email us if you have any questions.
Auditions will be completely ensemble-based, with an emphasis on a fun, relaxed atmosphere. There is no need for those auditioning for principal roles to attend a separate slot. Solos will be available for those who would like to sing during the session. There is no need for previous stage or musical/operatic experience – we’re looking for enthusiasm first and foremost.
The show features a gender-blind cast of 28, with plenty of roles ranging from ensemble to principal. Check out the Shackleton Folder for a breakdown of these.
Fees for the Shackleton rehearsal period are £7.50 per session, for a 25-week rehearsal period. Rehearsals will be led by industry professionals Anita Adams and Tom Mitchell. Bursaries are available upon application – for more information, please email us and we’ll get back to you with details.
We can’t wait to see old and new faces at auditions on the 21st January! See you there…
We love having new people join for each production. You might be 12 and a complete newbie to opera, but open to learn. You might be 24, with significant experience and biting-at-the-bit to try your hand in a major role in a full-scale opera. You might be somewhere between.
Everyone auditions to join the group, but don’t let that scare you. We are very nice, and it is a worthwhile experience in itself.
You should be 12-25 years old to join, and once a member, you can stay until you are 29.
We separately audition for principal roles for each production. Obviously, the process for this is a little more exacting, but again a really valuable, if nerve-wracking, experience.
Rehearsals for the February productions, with the associated auditions, normally start in September. For the July production these are generally in March.
We absolutely welcome all young people and also that fees can sometimes put you off. To help, we offer 20% discount for those at university and bursaries are available.
If you are interested or would like more information on anything mentioned, do get in contact. Many have first come to observe a rehearsal first, before jumping in enthusiastically.
I’M TOO YOUNG?
If you are not yet 12, and are interested, do still get in touch. We run a Junior LYO Summer School over the Summer Holidays. This is a full week exploring opera, music and drama, and is open to 9-16-year olds, and is regularly where our youngest members start. Click here to find out more.
The orchestra for LYO is formed for each production. It combines the talent of excellent young musicians, predominantly from Leeds, including members of Leeds Youth Orchestra. Younger members are supported and led by experienced musicians, many of whom are undergraduates or graduates from the North of England.
It is a great opportunity for young players in and around Leeds to play full operatic scores, led by an experienced musical directory. We advertise each time we are auditioning for a production. If you want to be informed directly, drop us a line.
Putting on a full-scale production of any opera involves many people beyond the cast. Costumes, set, props, lighting, poster design, and much more. Some of the most enjoyable and rewarding creative work is done by people that the audience never sees.
We always have a production team of enthusiastic, hard-working, and fun individuals who know that ‘many hands make light work’.
MORE INFORMATION
LEARN MORE
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Full Company Rehearsals
Saturdays 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Principal Rehearsals
Saturdays 1pm – 4pm
Near production week
Fridays 6pm – 9pm -
There are sometimes extra rehearsals as we step into show week.
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The venue will be communicated to you during registration.
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Workshhops and auditions for the Summer production ARC 23 – an opera with a specially commissioned for the young people of LYO and to celebrate our 50th Anniversary – will take place in March.
If you would like to be involved in this production, please contact us.
Audition information will be published here as well as on our social media pages.
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Membership fees are £200 per production (approx. £12 per weekly session).
Fees are due in September for the Autumn Production and February for the Summer Production.
There is a 20% discount available to students and bursaries are available. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like more information.