Music House charity to bring grassroots community talent to Leeds Playhouse stage with Be In The House

A Leeds-based charity is set to bring the transformative power of the community arts to one of the region's leading cultural venues this month, as performers whose lives have been shaped by music will take to the stage at Leeds Playhouse for the annual ‘Be in the House’ (BITH) showcase.

Organised by Music House, the event will bring together emerging performers, community voices, and a local gospel choir to highlight grassroots talent being nurtured across the city.

Supported by Arts Council England, the charity focuses on creating inclusive, accessible creative opportunities and safe spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can build confidence, develop new skills, and connect through the arts.

Behind the upcoming performances are individual stories of personal growth and resilience.

One young participant, Alicia, discovered a renewed sense of direction after struggling with confidence and uncertainty during the lockdown period.

Through sustained creative support, she found her voice and developed her musical skills, culminating in a milestone moment at last year's annual showcase where she performed both a vocal and piano piece.

Following her journey with the charity, she is now actively pursuing music as part of her future ambitions.

Alongside individual performers, collective talent will also take the spotlight.

The Music House Gospel Choir, which was formed just two years ago, has quickly established itself as an uplifting musical force representing the unity and energy of its community.

Christella Litras, Creative Director at Music House, emphasised that the upcoming showcase is a reflection of the charity's core mission to empower local communities: “Everything we do is rooted in people - their stories, their creativity and their potential.

“This showcase brings that to life on stage in a really powerful way. It’s about opening doors, nurturing talent and creating something meaningful with and for our communities.

Christella continued: "We’re incredibly grateful to Arts Council England for supporting this work and recognising the value of creativity within communities.

The event has also drawn praise from regional leadership, with Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin offering her backing for the showcase via a video message.

“West Yorkshire is rightly recognised around the world as a culture and creative crucible, giving people the skills and opportunities they need to build international careers," Mayor Brabin said.

“This showcase is supporting people to grow their confidence and find their voice, and it’s vital that we continue to create the spaces and opportunities for talent to be seen and celebrated. It’s fantastic to see the impact this continues to have across our region as we work to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire for everyone.”

The event at Leeds Playhouse marks another significant milestone for Music House as the charity continues to strengthen its presence and champion an inclusive, forward-thinking model within the city's cultural landscape.

The "Be in the House" showcase will take place at Leeds Playhouse in the Courtyard Theatre on the evening of Saturday, June 13. Audience members can secure their seats by booking directly through the Leeds Playhouse box office online or via the charity's portal.