It’ll be tense, but at the end of this audition you could be told “You’re hired!”

Maidstone-based Changeling Theatre is about to begin its search for a new apprentice – and is holding auditions on Shakespeare’s birthday, April 23, as part of celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of his death.

The company is looking for someone to join its outdoor summer tour of Shakespeare’s All’s Well that Ends Well and Oliver Goldsmith’s comedy She Stoops to Conquer.

This year, to address historical gender imbalance, the company is ideally looking for a 17 to 22- year-old young woman from Kent to fill the role.

Artistic director Rob Forknall said: “The apprentice scheme is an important part of what we do as a proudly Kent-based theatre company. It has helped launch the acting careers of many local would-be young performers.

“They will learn the ropes and gain confidence in performing to large audiences in a wide range of unusual and interesting venues.”

Previous apprentices have gone on to big things.

Pip Carter from Strood, who was part of the Changeling Youth Theatre, went on to appear in Party Animals alongside former Doctor Who Matt Smith, then again as WH Auden in Christopher and his Kind. He has also appeared at the National Theatre.

Ellie Kendrick from Boughton Monchelsea played in Changeling’s Twelfth Night, before going on to play the title role in the Diary of Anne Frank, and subsequent parts as Meera Reed in Game of Thrones, as well as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the Globe.

Margate boy William Colyer played Peter in Romeo and Juliet and is now in his second year at Italia Conte. He said: “Changeling’s apprentice scheme really helped me develop having never done any professional work before. I don’t think I would have got into drama school without Changeling and its fantastic director Robert Forknall."

The apprentice will get on-the-job training and mentoring. Rehearsals start on May 31 and the tour finishes on August 21.

Auditions will be at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone from noon on Saturday, April 23, with the deadline to apply on Friday, April 15.

To apply, email with a photo and some details including your age, address, acting experience and whether you play an instrument, plus why you would like to audition. Email hello@changeling-theatre.com For details on the tour click here