Teenager urges young people to rethink ‘impossible dream’ of arts careers

“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.”

That’s the message from Saddleworth teenager Alex Lane, 18, who is urging other young people across Tameside and Oldham not to dismiss a creative career as “an impossible dream.”

Alex, a media and performance student at the University of Salford, says the arts industry is far broader than many realise and that for every household name on stage or screen, there are countless roles behind the scenes making it all happen.

Alongside studying for his degree, Alex is already a paid crew member with Mossley-based carnival arts organisation Global Grooves.

He was recently invited back to help deliver sessions on the group’s free Creative Careers course for young people – despite having completed the course himself only the year before.

Creative Careers, run in Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside, introduces young people to the wide range of roles within the arts sector, from performance and producing to technical and backstage work.

After taking part in the programme, Alex built a network of like-minded young creatives. Together, they successfully fundraised to stage their own multi-artform production, Between Earth and Voice, at Stalybridge Civic Hall last October.

The show sold more than 100 tickets – a major achievement for a group of emerging artists putting on their own independent event.

Now, the group hopes to raise further funds to deliver a week-long arts intensive for young people in Mossley. They will present their idea at the Mossley SOUP crowdfunding dinner on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

Alex is honest about the challenges of working in the arts, particularly outside major cultural hubs.

“But it’s about grabbing all the opportunities you can in your local area and making the most out of them,” he said.

“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’s journey into the arts has been shaped by his own experiences. After completing a performing arts CAMTECH qualification at Oldham Sixth Form College, he says taking part in Creative Careers opened his eyes to the breadth of possibilities available.

“I’m dyslexic, and so I’ve always favoured speaking over writing,” he explained.

“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.”

Although neither of his parents work in creative industries, Alex says they are fully supportive of his ambitions.

Holly Prest, artistic director at Global Grooves, said Alex has become an inspiring example for this year’s students.

“Alex is such a good role model to have introduced to this year’s students,” she said.

“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.”

To learn more about opportunities for young people with Global Grooves, including future Creative Careers courses and events, visit: Youth Hub @ The Vale - Global Grooves

Alex Lane fourth from left with the cast of Between Earth and Voice.