A Christmas Carol Rehearsal Observers Call Out
Deadline for expressions of interest: Mon 29 September, 10am
Are you an early career theatre director or movement director? Would you like the opportunity to observe a day in a professional rehearsal room? Are you aged over 18 and based in West Yorkshire?
Apply to be a Rehearsal Observer on A Christmas Carol!
This autumn, Leeds Playhouse is producing a new production of A Christmas Carol adapted by Deborah McAndrew, directed by Amy Leach, designed by Hayley Grindle, with choreography and movement direction by EJ Boyle. This festive production with music, song and movement will be performed by a large company of actors in the biggest space at the Playhouse, the Quarry Theatre.
Leeds Playhouse will welcome 15 artists to observe a day each of rehearsals. This is a free opportunity for early career theatre directors and/or movement directors who have had limited experience of a professional rehearsal room.
The days are available between 13 October and 7 November 2025.
Director Amy Leach specialises in creating inclusive work, working with deaf, disabled and non-disabled artists. This production will contain British Sign Language, and creative audio description will be available through headsets at all performances from 27 November.
Key information
Dates: Placement days will be between 13 October and 7 November
Rehearsal times: Rehearsal hours will usually run from 10am – 6pm
Rehearsal location: Leeds Playhouse, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LSs 7UP
Access Information:
The rehearsal room has level access from the street and has an accessible bathroom nearby. The venue also has a changing places toilet. The company includes deaf artists so BSL interpreters will be present in the rehearsal room and the script will be displayed on a screen. There is a quiet space available near the rehearsal room. If your application is successful, you are welcome to share your access rider with us.
This free opportunity is for early career theatre directors or movement directors.
You must be over 18 years of age.
You must be based in West Yorkshire or the Leeds City Region. This is because Leeds Playhouse is committed to nurturing our local ecology, so even if you are happy to commute from further afield, you are not eligible to apply.
We particularly welcome expressions of interest from artists who are from communities consistently under-represented in UK theatre. This may be because of barriers arising from ethnicity, socio-economics, sexuality, gender, having caring responsibilities, and being deaf and/or disabled.
To apply please complete this form.
If you would prefer to submit your answers via a BSL video or audio recording, please email them to naomi.sumner@leedsplayhouse.org.uk.
The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday 29 September at 10am.
We’ll let you know if you have an observer place by 6pm on Friday 3 October.
If you have any questions not covered here, please contact naomi.sumner@leedsplayhouse.org.uk.
To make the expression of interest and selection process simple and fair, we will be allocating the places through a ballot.
How the ballot process works:
- Express your interest via a simple form hosted HERE
- After the deadline, we enter all eligible expressions of interest into a ballot
- Observers are then randomly selected
- We inform all applicants of the outcome the week after the closing date
