URBAN YOUNG ACTORS
Urban Young Actors provide weekly acting classes for young people aged 8-21 in Leicester. We want to inspire young people to be the best they can be by providing them with a safe, creative environment in which to express themselves, unlock their potential and have great fun at the same time!
As well as regular workshops, we frequently run large-scale projects for our members. Past opportunities have included stage productions, short films, festivals, competitions and cinema screenings.
We pride ourselves on delivering workshops of the highest standard that are accessible to young people of all levels of experience and ability. Our alumni include Mahalia (MOBO Award-winner), Jurell Carter (Emmerdale, ITV), Owen Warner (Hollyoaks, Channel 4), Dilan Raithatha (West End playwright) and Devesh Sodha (award-winning composer). Find out more about our alumni here.
As well as theatre, we also place great focus on TV and film and utilise industry professionals who are experts in their field.
Whatever your experience or aspirations, all you need is passion and a willingness to learn and there is a place for you in our Urban family.
Our Story
Urban Young Actors was founded by Melissa May Smith in 2008. Melissa started out in a studio with a handful of young people and a passion for acting, and Urban quickly grew in size and reputation to become what it is today. Over the years Urban has produced lots of successful alumni in a whole range of fields – creative and otherwise. Find out about our alumni here.
Scholarships
We believe that the arts should be accessible to all and not only to those who can afford it. We are proud to offer a number of scholarships, paying up to 100% of membership fees on behalf of our members.
UYA Agency
A headstart in the industry. All Urban members become part of our UYA Agency and actively put them up for professional castings and auditions. We have a large network of connections that we regularly work within the East Midlands and beyond. Find out more here.