Madonna, Elton John and Brad Pitt – just a few of the stars that former members of Wolverhampton-based Central Youth Theatre have gone on to work with.

Now a specially commissioned photographic exhibition featuring 25 ex-members has been launched at the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton to celebrate its quarter of a century in operation.

The exhibition shows Mark Speight, the children’s television presenter who grew up in Tettenhall and died last year aged 42, was not the only successful graduate.

Many former leading lights have gone on to work with famous names after carving out careers in showbiz-related jobs.

Bearwood-based photographer Kate Green travelled the country snapping them in their places of work.

On each shoot, a current member of the theatre interviewed them about their time with the group for memory boards to accompany the portraits.

Their stories show how the youth theatre influenced their lives and led to fascinating careers.

Among the subjects is Tim Routledge, lighting programmer for London’s contribution to the Beijing Olympics, art director Liz Griffiths, who has worked on Hot Fuzz and Shaun Of the Dead, and Ian Connop, stage manager at the National Theatre.

Boyzone production assistant Claire Pearson, now 37, returned to her home city for the launch. The former Regis School pupil, who attended the youth theatre between 1986-94, said: “I preferred to work behind the scenes and that’s what I made my career. I solve problems that happen backstage on tour and work with lovely people like Boyzone.

“Probably my favourite gig was Bon Jovi at Molineux in 2003.”

Leanne Scriven, 26, met husband Justin, 29, at the youth theatre, which now has a home at Newhampton Arts Centre.

“The attraction was fairly instant, but I was only 13 at the time and we didn’t get together until after we had both left the group,” says Leanne.

Roger Hill, president of the National Association of Youth Theatres, said: “Given the downward spiral that many young people find themselves in today, the youth theatre is one of the most important groups in Wolverhampton and people must never cease to value it.”