Audition for Blackpool Grand Young Company

A scene from a previous GYC show. Pic: CJ Griffiths

Blackpool's Grand Theatre has announced a new project for its popular young people's performing group Grand Young Company.

The company offers training and artist development opportunities to young people from Blackpool and the surrounding area who have an interest in a possible creative or performing career.

For the new season the GYC will be recruiting project by project through the year and is currently looking for applications from 14 to 19-year-olds to audition for new play Ride or Die as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival.

The play, by award-winning writer and actor Florence Espeut-Nickless, is about young people who spend their time deciding whether Alton Towers is better than Thorpe Park - and hope a newcomer to the question will be able to offer a deciding vote.

Open auditions will take place on October 7 &14 in the theatre studio. Applicants must register first - and by October 2, so time is short. No previous experience is required; participants will receive training in a rehearsals setting. The fee is £200 per participant, but there are some bursary places for those who need them most.

The theatre's chief executive, Adam Knight, said: “As a former member of the National Youth Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre myself, I know just how important it is for young people to have high-quality opportunities to explore their performance and theatre craft and to be inspired by experienced professionals - all while having fun, making new friends and furthering their sense of belonging.”

Full details and the schedule of rehearsals and production dates is on the website here