Creative Connections | Manchester 2026

Over the last four months, 15 young people from Manchester participated in our pilot of a new Go Live Theatre programme, Creative Connections. This is our first ever national programme and made possible through the support of The PwC Foundation.

In collaboration with HOME, Manchester, this initiative was created to engage young people facing challenging circumstances. Over the course of two terms, students explored ‘hidden careers’ in the arts through industry talks, hands-on workshops, and trips to professional productions.

By moving through our three core strands – Connections, Create, and Careers – the students gained a 360-degree view of the industry.

Building Confidence and Connection
From Tuesday 12 January to Tuesday 17 March, facilitators Tom Stocks and Matilda Philipson led the group through ten sessions. These workshops were designed to introduce the students to the world of theatre while building the trust and confidence to support their live performance.

As part of the Connections strand, the group also attended their first professional trip to see the PwC Pantomime, Cinderella, sparking inspiration for their own creative work.

From Ideas to the Stage: The ‘Create’ Strand
Moving into the Create phase, the students took the creative lead. They devised an original performance centered on their own life goals, aspirations, and visions for the future.

The project culminated in a showcase at HOME on Tuesday 24 March. Performing to a small, invited audience, the students also held a short Q&A session. This gave them a platform to speak about the wider programme and the profound impact it has had on their personal growth.

Mastering the ‘Hidden Careers’
To bridge the gap between passion and profession, the Careers strand involved a series of masterclasses. These sessions pulled back the curtain on the technical skill sets required to bring a show to life:

• Set & Construction Masterclass with Tom Mills
• Lighting Design Masterclass with Yvette Sedgley
• Stage Management Masterclass with Ella Kirk
• Producing Masterclass with Hannah Ellis Ryan (HER Productions)

The school has a Pupil Premium of 32% (national average is 28%)

27% of young people participating in the programme have a SEND
27% of young people participating in the programme have English as an Additional Language (EAL)
55% of young people participating in the programme are from a Global Majority background

91% of young people said they felt confident expressing themselves creatively
100% of young people said they can work well as a team after the programme
91% of young people said they had fun on the programme

The students expressed that the skills they learnt from the programme were:

Motivation to get involved | Creating stories | Expressing ideas creatively | Speaking clearly and confidently | Working with others and contributing ideas | Creating Characters and learning lines | Stepping out of comfort zone | Projection | Building confidence | Exploring theatre careers

🎥 Watch our video to find out more about the programme and hear from everyone involved:

Feedback from the Assistant Headteacher following the Showcase performance:

“The programme has been great for students to challenge themselves and see that when they put their mind to it, they can achieve anything. It’s been nice to see them change their mindset on things (performing) and lovely to see them look forward to the sessions each week. Some of them are now definitely considering careers within the Theatre industry which they definitely wouldn’t have done prior to the programme.”

Students were asked for a short sentence that describes what they enjoyed most about their experience on programme – here are just a selection:

“How encouraging people were towards my creativity and boosting my confidence. You all gave me motivation to be me.”
“Working with others, performing, having sessions to learn more about theatre.”
“The performing, the games. I liked the trip because I got to watch a play.”

The Impact
This programme is built on five core pillars designed to empower every participant:

• Inclusion: We work with young people from challenging circumstances to prevent further exclusion and open doors to every corner of the theatre industry.
• Fostering Creative Expression: By using lived experiences, we encourage self-expression, positive mental health, and confidence, providing a platform for the next generation.
• Building Industry Connections: We connect participants with active professionals, opening pathways to potential employment and expanding what they believe is possible.
• Exploring Hidden Careers: We uncover the diverse range of roles beyond the spotlight, showcasing the many viable career paths available in the arts.
• Developing Essential Skills: We equip students with transferable skills – including teamwork, resilience, public speaking, and tools to handle imposter syndrome – which are vital for their future success.

We are incredibly proud of the students for their dedication over the last two terms. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to champion the ‘hidden careers’ within the arts!

Donate today to help ensure every child, regardless of background, has the chance to experience the transformative power of live theatre and open doors for the next generation.

If you’re a trust, foundation, company, organisation or private individual that would like to explore supporting our work in a specific way, please get in touch using the form below.

Photos: @chrispaynephotographer

🎥 Video: www.liamsteersvideography.co.uk