A NATIONWIDE search for new talent will bring Youth Music Theatre UK (YMT) to Newcastle this month.

Who will they find to follow in the footsteps of musician Ed Sheeran and West End leading lady Lauren Samuels, both YMT graduates?

Could it be you?

YMT, supported by Arts Council England and the Department for Education, is one of eight national youth music organisations. Stagestruck youngsters who come through the audition process will work with some of the country’s leading professional directors, composers and choreographers to stage full-scale productions at respected theatres and arts festivals.

They will get the chance to learn new skills, make friends and move towards a career in the performing arts.

They will also, for the first time this year, be awarded Trinity Guildhall’s Grade 8 certificate in musical theatre.

YMT is auditioning in 21 cities and will be at Dance City, Newcastle, on January 19 with sessions at 9.30am, 12.15pm and 3.45pm.

The auditions will take the form of a professionally-led musical theatre workshop.

“It is definitely not the sort of scary audition you might have seen on TV talent shows,” say the organisers.

“The team will lead a series of practical and fun activities to help make the most of the auditionees’ time and to allow them to show the team exactly what their skills are.”

After the auditions, the most talented performers will be allocated to one of eight new productions to be staged across the UK.

This year’s productions include the world premiere of Terry Pratchett’s Soul Music, based on his Discworld novel; The Salsa Sisters, directed by Steven Dexter; the London premiere of a new version of Great Expectations; and The Dark Tower, a new show which is part of the Benjamin Britten centenary celebrations.

About 250 young people from around the country will be chosen and informed before the end of March.

You can book a place at the audition workshop online at www.youthmusictheatreuk.org