As part of our celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Chichester Festival Youth Theatre (CFYT), we’ve been collecting stories and testimonies from our alumni to produce an Alumni Report. We’ve loved hearing about the amazing things they’re doing and reminiscing together.

Whilst CFYT equips young people with skills that support them to achieve all kinds of aspirations, many do go into careers in theatre. It’s an absolute joy when we can welcome them back to CFT. Read on to meet a few of our alumni and discover how CFYT helped prepare them to pursue careers in the industry.

Henry Reeder was a member of CFYT from 2016 - 2022 and recently returned as the Assistant Stage Manager for Oliver!. Our Technical Youth Theatre provides unique training and experience in a range of backstage roles, which proved invaluable for Henry: 'Technical Youth Theatre is the sole reason I have been able to get professional theatre work. Working with, and learning from, professionals in the industry on the Youth Theatre shows, is honestly better than any training you will find on a course in education.' (Henry Reeder, Assistant Stage Manager on Oliver!, CFYT 2016- 2022).

In 2023, Henry received the John Hyland Award, given annually to a member who best embodies the spirit of what CFYT is all about.

Another CFYT alum who we were delighted to welcome back recently is performer Nick Howard-Brown. Nick’s career came full circle when he returned to perform in Dale Rooks’ production of Hey! Christmas Tree last December, having been in the first CFYT Christmas Festival Theatre production that Dale directed back in 2003: 'Ever since I set foot on the Minerva stage as a 16-year-old I have felt a strong connection to Chichester Festival Theatre, and the few years I spent as a member of CFYT had an immeasurable impact on my career as a performer.

It was always a real ambition of mine to return to CFT, my ‘theatrical home’. It felt truly special to be back where it all began (and to be directed once more by Dale, given her continual support as a mentor and advocate), and I was delighted to return in 2025, performing in Justin Audibert’s production of Hamlet.

I will be forever grateful to the Youth Theatre for giving me the tools and inspiration to forge a path as an actor, and it is always a privilege to return.' (Nick Howard-Brown, Actor, CFYT 2001-2005).

When asked about their time at CFYT, countless members and alumni recall the transferable skills they developed and the special friendships they formed: 'I’m indebted to CFYT for the opportunities it gave me to learn about and experience theatre and the arts. It’s absolutely shaped who I am and where I am now. I most value how much CFYT helped me grow as a person, instil a love of theatre in me, built my confidence, and helped me gain wonderful friendships. It was one of the best times of my life and I’m so grateful to have been part of it.' (Charlotte Titcombe, Theatre Producer, CFYT 2006-2011).

CFYT provides many young people with professional experience in a supportive and inspirational environment. One such member was David Chapman, who has since enjoyed a varied and successful career as an actor, voice artist and puppeteer: 'CFYT taught me the A to Z of how to create theatre. I used the skills learnt in Youth Theatre when I joined the production team in The Tent at CFT and then took a job in the main house electrics department (aged 16), before training at LAMDA. I've spent the last thirty years working in TV and film. I will always be grateful for the confidence and communication skills that CFYT gave me.' (David Chapman, Actor/ Voice Artist/ Puppeteer, CFYT 1985-88).

This summer, our first ever CFYT Alumni company performed a delightful new adaptation of Lauren Child’s That Pesky Rat in The Nest, before touring libraries across West Sussex. The production was co-directed by CFYT alumni Romina Hytten.

CFYT sparked a passion for puppetry in Romina, who is the Puppetry Director for this year’s CFYT production of A Boy Called Christmas: 'CFYT was my training. I really wouldn’t be where I am today without it. I learnt so much and I got to work with incredible industry professionals that I’m still bumping into today in my work. It really was an inspiring place where I made friends for life.

I learnt to puppeteer at CFYT so coming back 10 years later is a real full circle moment and a dream come true. It's surreal to be working alongside the legendary Dale Rooks again… this time on the other side of the table.

I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive theatre to collaborate with on our first venture as a new theatre company, Motion Sickness. Co-Directing That Pesky Rat was a joy and getting to work with an amazing cast of Youth Theatre alumni felt like a true celebration of what CFYT is all about.' (Romina Hytten, Puppeteer and Olivier Award-winner, CFYT 2008-2016).

Can you help us to continue changing lives and shaping futures for another 40 years? This December, donations to CFYT will be DOUBLED, so your support will make twice the difference. Donate today.