The West Yorkshire Playhouse artistic policy encompasses classic British and European drama, modern theatre from around the world and new plays, especially from writers based in the North of England.

West Yorkshire Playhouse works regularly with other major regional producing theatres and past collaborations have included The Madness of George III and A View from the Bridge in 2004 and The Wizard of Oz in 2005 and Alice in Wonderland in 2006 with Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Also, in 2006, the Playhouse joined forces with Liverpool Theatres for a co-production of Hedda Gabler and with Big Broad and Shed Productions to create Bad Girls – The Musical. Other collaborations have included a new production and subsequent tour of Wars of the Roses with Northern Broadsides, Homage to Catalonia with Teatre Romea and Northern Stage and The Bacchae, a co-production with Kneehigh Theatre which also toured nationally. Successful London transfers have included Ying Tong to the New Ambassadors in association with Michael Codron, Pretending To Be Me compiled from the writings of poet Philip Larkin and performed by Tom Courtenay and The Postman Always Rings Twice which transferred to the Playhouse Theatre.

Playhouse co-productions currently on tour around the UK include The Hound of the Baskervilles with Peepolykus and Neal St. Productions, Ramayana with Lyric Hammersmith and Bristol Old Vic, Flat Stanley with Polka Theatre, To Kill A Mockingbird with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and The 39 Steps produced by the Playhouse in association with Fiery Angel which, following a successful tour in June 2005, is currently playing at The Criterion Theatre in the West End.