Kieran Vyas: Artistic Director of Urban Young Actors

Alongside my professional work, I’ve always had a passion for nurturing the next generation. Young people never cease to surprise, impress and educate me, and there is no better school I’ve come across than Urban Young Actors – a place that has had a special place in my heart since I first worked with the young actors in 2016. There is an incomparable electricity, homeliness and family-feel to this drama school in Leicester, and they make professional modern actor training available for young people of all experience levels.

For this reason, I couldn’t be happier to announce that I’ve now taken over the company as owner and artistic director to steer UYA into the new chapter of its life.

What is Urban Young Actors?

UYA provides weekly acting workshops for young people in Leicester as well as producing multiple theatre and film projects every year. Alumni include Mahalia (Brit & Grammy Award-Nominated Artist), Jurell Carter (Emmerdale, ITV), Owen Warner (Hollyoaks, Channel 4), Dilan Raithatha (West End playwright) and Devesh Sodha (award-winning composer).

There are several groups running in Leicester City Centre and Barkby that cover the ages: 9-12, 12-16 and 16-21. Over the year, UYA produce a variety of projects which in the past have included stage productions, films, festivals, competitions and cinema premieres.

Looking to the future

We’re taking over UYA at a time when all of us are desperate to return to normal life and the arts will play a crucial role in repairing some of the damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. We have big plans, we’re very excited for the future, and development for a film project in late 2021 has already begun.

Get involved

If you want to find out more information about UYA or apply for a free trial session then head over to urbanyoungactors.com