West Yorkshire Playhouse opened in 1990 and is one of the largest, most exciting and active producing theatres in the UK. It successfully balances a firm commitment to serving the communities in its region alongside maintaining an international profile for the quality of its work. Ian Brown, appointed Artistic Director and Chief Executive in 2002, following Jude Kelly, has continued to develop the theatre’s innovative, diverse and vibrant artistic policies.

In September 2008 Ian Brown was joined by Sheena Wrigley as General Director and Joint Chief Executive reflecting a new emphasis on strategic planning and on developing the operational, financial and human resources of the Playhouse.

The Playhouse has two theatres; the Quarry with 750 seats and the smaller, more flexible Courtyard with 350 seats. It produces up to 16 of its own shows each year including an increasing number of co-productions in addition to a broad touring programme. These performances are supported by a large number of readings, workshops and community events.

Alongside its work on stage, the Playhouse continues to lead the theatre industry in the ambition and scope of its education and community work. These activities ensure that about 300,000 people use the Playhouse and its activities each year.

The Playhouse will face a new and exciting challenge during the next few years with the major redevelopment of Quarry Hill. New housing, office, retail and possibly also hotel developments will transform the area. Alongside existing residents including the BBC, Yorkshire Dance and the Leeds College of Music, the creation of a new home for Northern Ballet Theatre and Phoenix Dance Theatre will position Quarry Hill as a vibrant new ‘cultural quarter’.

The work on stage continues to develop in a wide range of areas including new writing, musicals, classic theatre and family work, the Playhouse has particular commitments to:

New writing. In the past four years the Playhouse has become a centre for new writing, commissioning plays, offering script reading services and dramaturgy in addition to running complementary literary events, workshops and support for new writers.

Culturally diverse work. The Playhouse has always had a commitment to programming Black and Asian work on stage and to working with diverse artists and companies. The Playhouse joined the Eclipse project in 2006, working with other regional producing theatres to create and tour new Black theatre.

Co-productions and partnerships. During the last few years, the Playhouse has developed an increasing number of co-productions with both commercial and subsidised partners. These include transfers to the West End of Ying Tong and The Postman Always Rings Twice, The 39 Steps and Othello as well as co-productions with other regional producing theatres such as Birmingham Rep and, recently, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse for When We are Married. The Playhouse has also developed flexible, creative partnerships with touring companies including Improbable Theatre, Kneehigh Theatre Company and Northern Broadsides.

West Yorkshire Playhouse is a charitable trust with a non executive Board of Directors. West Yorkshire Playhouse Enterprises Ltd is the commercial sister company to the Trust and comprises all income generating areas, with the exception of ticket sales - bars, catering, front of house merchandising, costume hire, conferences and room hire.

Funding for the Playhouse comes from Arts Council England, Leeds City Council, Leeds Education Authority and West Yorkshire Grants as well as the generosity of its many private and corporate donors.