The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain is currently welcoming applications for their 2011/2012 company, from acting stars of the future to behind-the-scenes technical talent.

Alongside acting, applications are invited for costume, lighting and sound, scenery and prop making, and stage management courses.

A recent National Youth Theatre production

The closing date for applications is 7 January 2011, with auditions and interviews taking place at venues across the country in early 2011; auditions and interviews in Wales will take place in Cardiff at the Chapter Arts Centre.

Everyone who applies will be offered the chance to try out, regardless of previous experience, and applications are open to anyone who will be aged 14-21 on 1 August 2011.

For more information and to apply online, visit www.ideastap.com/nytapply or visit the National Youth Theatre website for further details.

And in another opportunity, artists who have been showing performance work publicly for up to three years or who have performed two works in an independent public forum are being invited to apply for the SPILL Festival of Performance 2011.

SPILL, which began life in 2007, is a biannual festival that celebrates emerging artists and takes place at various locations around London. The 2011 festival will take place between 18-24 April 2011. Find out more and apply online - the closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 7 January 2011.