Professional Pathways is National Youth Theatre of Wales’ new extended training and development programme. It was launched in 2020 in partnership with Theatr Clwyd, in association with Wales Millennium Centre and other leading Welsh theatre companies and artists.

Each nine-month programme gives young people aged 16—22 a unique opportunity to develop their performance, backstage and theatre making skills, through exclusive access to the rehearsal, production and performance processes of professional theatre companies working in Wales. Each residential weekend or training day focuses on specific skills including performance technique, set, costume and lighting design, script writing, accessibility within performance and marketing and programming theatre.

The core of the Professional Pathways programme is run in partnership with Theatr Clwyd and timetabled around the rehearsal and performances of their season’s productions, offering NYTW members access to their cast and creative teams. NYTW Professional Pathways programme has also worked with Wales Millennium Centre, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Royal Welsh Music & Drama, Taking Flight Theatre Company, Sherman Theatre and Hijinx Theatre Company, Darkfield Studios amongst others, on go-and-see packages, workshops and masterclasses.

With unique access to the most exciting theatre productions across Wales, the programme is open to those who audition for National Youth Theatre of Wales. It’s also designed to introduce young performers to the full range of possible careers in the theatre, including writing, stage management and theatre design.