A LOCAL teenager is urging other young people not to dismiss a career in the arts as ‘an impossible dream’.
Alex Lane, 18, says that the industry is larger than people realise – and that behind every ‘big name’ actor or musical artist, there are many hidden roles behind the scenes.
The media and performance student at Salford University speaks from personal experience, as he is already a paid crew member with Mossley-based Carnival arts crew Global Grooves alongside studying for a degree.
Alex was recently invited to help deliver some sessions on a free course for young people run by Global Grooves. Despite having only completed the course, called Creative Careers, himself the previous year, Alex was brought back in to inspire this year’s participants.
He spoke about how he built a network of like minded young people he met on the course, and together, they successfully fundraised to put on a show.
Called Between Earth and Voice, the group staged the multi-artform performance at Stalybridge Civic Hall last October, selling over 100 tickets.
The group now hopes to raise further funds to hold a week-long arts intensive for young people in Mossley. They will be presenting their idea at the Mossley SOUP crowdfunding dinner on Thursday, February 19.
Alex said: “Working in the arts is not easy, and it’s perhaps even harder for young people who don’t live in a big city like London, or even Manchester. But it’s about grabbing all the opportunities you can in your local area and making the most out of them.
“You’ve also got to be flexible in what you’re prepared to do. I’ve always loved acting, but the more I’ve learned about other related jobs, like producing and technical roles, I can see there are greater opportunities to work within performing arts than I initially realised.”
Alex says that although his parents don’t work in creative or arts-based jobs, they are fully supportive of his career aspirations.
“I’m dyslexic,” he said, “and so I’ve always favoured speaking over writing. So I naturally gravitated towards performance. Since completing a performing arts CAMTECH at Oldham Sixth Form and taking part in Creative Careers, I’ve had my eyes opened to the breadth of career opportunities that are open to me.”
Holly Prest, artistic director at Global Grooves, said: “Alex is such a good role model to have introduced to this year’s students. He grabbed the opportunities that came his way with both hands and I have no doubt that he has a promising future in whatever he decides to explore.
“We are lucky to have him as a Global Grooves crew member and look forward to seeing him produce some more work of his own during his degree course.”
More information about opportunities for young people at Global Grooves can be found at https://www.globalgrooves.org/get-involved/youth-hub/