Behind the Scenes with Creative Pathways

News & Stories 21 Jan 2026

News Story

Take a look behind the scenes with this year’s cohort of Creative Pathways participants, captured in action during performance preparation for The Nutcracker. As part of the Creative Pathways programme, participants have the opportunity to tour and experience a range of backstage departments.

Image gallery

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Participants Bailey Dwyer and Chevorn Miller-Warren looking at a music score with Orchestra Manager Andrew Bentley.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Participants experiencing what it's like to sit in the orchestra pit.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

The cohort receiving a talk from Andy Wilson, Head of Lighting, and Ellen Potts – a Creative Pathways programme alumna who now works with the Lighting Team. Ellen shared her advice on making the most of the programme and on getting employed in the industry.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

A demonstration of the cannon pyrotechnic being fired by Andy Wilson, Head of Lighting.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Participant Chevorn Miller-Warren experiencing what it's like to be around dry ice.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

The cohort experiencing dry ice.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Elieth Davis being taught how to operate the dry ice machine by Senior Lighting Technician Scott Smith.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Participant Bailey Dwyer climbing a lighting boom.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Participant Bailey Dwyer looking up at the fly floor and seeing how much set is held above dancers' heads on stage.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

The cohort in the follow spot room.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Participant Savannah Gregory operating a follow spot.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Costume Tour Manager Lucy Cook showing the cohort a Spanish costume.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Costume Tour Manager Lucy Cook showing the cohort a Snow costume.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Wigs demonstration by the Wigs team (Bella Alexander and Kristina Borovac) on Principal Dancer Max Maslen in the character of Drosselmeyer.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Hair/wigs demonstration on Artist Eilis Small.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Participants Lucy Park and Savannah Gregory feeling the bald caps which are worn by the male dancers performing Arabe.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Pre-show checks with Stage Manager Eliska Robenn to make sure all the props are correctly set.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Deputy Stage Manager Elizabeth Barry calling the show at the prompt desk.

© 2025 Credit : Hannah Beveridge

Creative Pathways is a free professional development programme designed to give young people across the Midlands a real taste of life in the arts. 

Find out more about Creative Pathways

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Find out more about Creative Pathways

  1. Discover your voice on BRB's Creative Pathways

  2. Insight: BRB's Creative Pathways

  3. Advice from a ballet dancer: habits for a balanced life

  4. WATCH: Swan Lake Cygnets rehearsal | full livestream

  5. How do dancers spend their summer break?

  6. How do you embody a swan? Répétiteur Laëtitia Lo Sardo on what it takes to perform Swan Lake

  7. Ballet Everywhere: Discover BRB's Community Outreach

  8. Jess Cave: A day in the life of a Costume Technician

  9. Our City, Your Ballet: Thomas Jung

  10. Exploring ballet's hardest moves: the 32 fouettés from Swan Lake

  11. WATCH: the timeless magic of Swan Lake

  12. Announcing new dancers for the 2026/27 season

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  1. Advice from a ballet dancer: habits for a balanced life

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