Stage Experience's Footloose cast

Stage Experience which gives young people a chance to star in a hit musical is celebrating a decade of productions – with the arrival of Footloose which opens next month.

Following the success of last year’s Grease, Manchester’s Palace Theatre and Opera House is preparing to open its doors to another cast of talented young people.

The Palace Theatre and Opera House’s annual Stage Experience is an rewarding two-week summer project which gives budding actors, singers, dancers and musicians aged 11 – 24 the chance to experience what it is like to work on a professionally run theatre production.

All participants will work with a professional production team and get to perform Footloose on the Palace Theatre stage in front of an audience and reviewers.

With just two weeks to put the show together it is a great opportunity for newcomers to musical theatre whilst being a challenging and rewarding project for those who may have some previous experience on stage.

Auditions were held earlier in the year and next month’s production will involve over 100 young people from areas including Manchester, Bolton, Warrington, Salford, Stockport, Oldham, Wigan, Rossendale, Knutsford and Liverpool.

The plot of Footloose follows a rebellious teenager, Ren McCormack and his family when they move to a small Midwestern town where rock music and dancing are banned. Defying the local pastor, who is keeping the town dance-free, Ren courageously battles to abolish the ban and calls for a rock’n’roll prom!

Featuring classic songs such as the title track, "Let’s Hear it For the Boy", and "Holding on For a Hero", Footloose is at the Palace Theatre from 7 – 9 August.