BUDDING actors are hoping for a place in a forthcoming theatre summer school to take part in a musical in the North-East.

Auditions for Sunderland Empire’s Stage Experience were held at the city’s Royalty Theatre on Saturday.

Now in its eighth successful year, the two-week course gives nine- 25 year olds from across the region the opportunity to perform or be part of a production team in a professionally produced West End style musical.

Participants work alongside a professional director, musical director, choreographer and backstage crew to train in singing, dancing, acting and technical theatre, before taking to the stage for four live performances of Foootloose.

Everyone who attended was taught a song and dance from the show and required to perform these in small groups.

Hollie Coxon, creative learning manager at the Sunderland Empire said: “We are delighted to be bringing back Stage Experience for 2013 and are very excited to be staging Footloose.

“From the previous success of the project, we know there is a wealth of young talent in the North-East.”

Footloose is staged at Sunderland Empire from Thursday- Saturday August 1-3 with tickets priced £9 - £17 available by calling 0844-871-3022.