Liverpool-Live

120 budding young performers between the ages of 11 and 21 are being sought for the project, which runs from 6-18 August at the theatre, culminating in 4 performances of Annie on the famous Empire stage. The young people, with the help of a professional creative team including Director David McNeill, Choreographers Lauren Taylor and Laura Meeson and Musical Director Paul Lawton, face the exciting challenge of putting together this full scale musical production in just 2 weeks.

Natalie Flynn, Head of Creative Learning at Liverpool Empire said: "We chose Annie as this year's Stage Experience show as it is an enduring all time classic with a great range of roles for young people of all different ages and some brilliant songs. It's a fun, action-packed and creative way for any young person interested in performing arts to spend their summer holidays."

Those wishing to take part in this year's project must complete an application form (downloadable from www.atgtickets.com/liverpool on the 'creative learning' page), returning it to the Empire by post to arrive before 6pm on Friday 24 February in order to secure a place at the auditions. Auditions will take place at the Empire on 17 March 2012, with recalls taking place on 24 March 2012. No previous experience is necessary, just bags of enthusiasm and an interest in performing arts.

A project fee of £160 per child covers two weeks professional tuition, a souvenir t-shirt and loan of costume. A discount is available to those enrolling more than one child.

Set in New York during the depression, this rags to riches tale sees the show's young namesake, Annie, abandoned by her parents on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Feisty Annie remains optimistic that one day soon everything is going to turn out just fine. And that day might just be 'tomorrow'! With the help of her friends at the orphanage Annie escapes the clutches of Miss Hannigan and sets out to find her parents. Her infectious nature soon finds her with a new four-legged best friend, an offer of adoption from billionaire Oliver Warbucks and even a meeting with President FD Roosevelt! Featuring the iconic songs 'Easy Street', 'It's a Hard Knock Life' and of course 'Tomorrow', this heart warming show is a perennial favourite.

Liverpool Empire Stage Experience, ran by the theatre's Creative Learning department, has grown year on year since the project's inception in Summer 2007, with previous shows Summer Holiday, The Wiz, Bugsy Malone, West Side Story and Fame all receiving rave reviews from press and audiences alike. The number of applications and ticket sales have increased year on year, with many returning participants and younger performers following in the footsteps of their older siblings.