Lizi has a remarkable ability to make everyone in the room feel heard and valued — something our artists continued to talk about long after the sessions had ended.
James Fogerty
SIN Cru Co-Director
Beyond having a wealth of knowledge and years of practice to teach voice, movement, textual analysis, and character to an expertly high level, Lizi’s ability to read a room or a person is unlike anything I have ever seen. I believe this is at the heart of what makes her facilitation, teaching, and directing capabilities so influential.
Torntara Buranakal
She supported me through my first steps, helped me prepare for my first National Youth Theatre audition, where I was successfully offered a place. That became the starting point of my creative journey, which has since taken me from LAIT, to National Youth Theatre, to New Earth Theatre, and Red Ladder Theatre.
Lien Cao
Welcome
Welcome to my website - my aim is to give you a sense of who I am, what I can do and what matters to me.
As a director, writer, dramaturg and visual artist, I’ve spent many years supporting people to shape ideas, strengthen their voice and grow in skill and confidence - creating high-quality performance work with professional standards at its heart.
I care deeply about artist development and believe creativity strengthens both individuals and communities.
Lizi Patch is one of the most inspiring, dedicatedand visionary professionals I’ve encountered in the arts and cultural sector. Lizi is defined not only by artistic excellence, but also by a profound commitment to community, education, and inclusive leadership.
Dawn Holgate, Creative Arts Leadership,
Choreographer and Movement Director, Dance Producer.
Lizi Patch
Director | Playwright | Dramaturg |Artist
I’m a highly experienced director, writer and dramaturg with a practice rooted in ensemble storytelling and the development of emerging actors and theatremakers.
Over the past decade I’ve co-founded and led two highly successful training companies at Leeds Heritage Theatres - Leeds Grand Youth Theatre and Leeds Actors in Training - directing productions, developing new work and mentoring the next generation of theatre-makers. My directing work includes 13 full-scale musicals and many new plays, including work by Miriam Battye, Tim Crouch and Carmen Nasr.
As a writer, my play Punching the Sky toured the North of England in partnership with The Lowry, Live Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and Slung Low, culminating in a two-week run at Soho Theatre as part of A Nation’s Theatre Festival. My play Down to Zero won Best Actor and was shortlisted for Best New Play (British Theatre Guide). I’ve also written for BBC Radio 4’s Brief Lives.
I am currently working on an abridged contemporary adaptation of Medea with the Leeds Actors in Training.
Alongside directing and writing, I work as a dramaturg and creative mentor, supporting new theatre and interdisciplinary projects with artists including SIN Cru and Bobak Champion. My wider work includes public art, oral history and socially engaged theatre projects across the UK.
I trained at Rose Bruford College (BA Hons, Community Theatre) and University of East Anglia (MA Theatre Directing)
I’m particularly interested in collaborations that combine actor training, new writing and ensemble-led performance, and I’m always keen to develop new projects with artists and organisations.
Testimonials
Lizi Patch is one of the most inspiring, dedicated, and visionary professionals I’ve encountered in the arts and cultural sector. Lizi is defined not only by artistic excellence, but also by a profound commitment to community, education, and inclusive leadership.
Her understanding of how art contributes to broader society is rooted in hands on experience, whether through her role as Artistic Director, her educational outreach as an Animateur and Education Officer, or her leadership as a Project Director/Producer. She has consistently used these platforms to empower others, particularly young people/young adults, nurturing creative confidence and fostering meaningful dialogue through theatre and theatre practices.
What truly distinguishes her is her rare ability to balance visionary thinking with pragmatic delivery. She is exceptionally well networked across the UK’s creative communities and I have witnessed her use this to influence decision makers at both local (in house), regional and at national levels. She brings clarity and purpose to complex situations, consistently demonstrating sound judgment under pressure and a calm ability to take critical decisions when they matter most.
It is rare to find someone who combines artistic brilliance, organisational rigour, and genuine heart.
Dawn Holgate, Creative Arts Leadership, Choreographer and Movement Director, Dance Producer.
Services
Some of the ways I may be able to help you...
Actor 1-1 Coaching
I work with both emerging and professional actors who want 1-1 time to explore, develop and ground themselves in the work. That might be preparing for drama school auditions or refining work for professional castings. Our focus will on detailed preparation leading to results grounded in solid technique. I don't hold with 'gifted and talented' - it's about building confidence and skills. Simple as that.
I bring a highly experienced director’s eye to your work — helping you find truth in your performance, and understanding how it lands for your audience.
Sessions available for:
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Drama school preparation
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Audition and self-tape preparation
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Classical and contemporary monologues
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Text and character deep dives
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Professional recalibration and refinement
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Public Speaking
Prices on a sliding scale dependant on your personal circumstances and geography. Contact me to discuss.
Directing
Available for professional productions, training programmes and new writing projects.
My rehearsal rooms are nurturing, detailed, ambitious and collaborative - rooted in preparation, clear and consistent communication, playfulness and respect for craft.
Please get in touch to discuss potential projects.
Dramaturgy
I work with writers, directors and theatremakers to strengthen structure, clarify intention and sharpen the dramatic engine of a piece.
Dramaturgical support can include:
• Script reports
• Development sessions
• Ongoing project consultancy
• Rehearsal room outside eye
Fees discussed depending on scale and scope of project.
