The Changeling Theatre are holding auditions for their next apprentice, who could follow in the footsteps of previous apprentice and rising star Charlie Oscar.

If you’re settling down to watch the 2021 film Mothering Sunday with your mum today, you might spot Charlie’s face alongside Colin Firth and Olivia Coleman.

Charlie, from Aylesford, also appeared in a recent episode of Doctor Who.

She was selected as the Changeling Theatre apprentice in 2016 and is now encouraging other young hopefuls to show up at this year’s open auditions, being held on Saturday, April 23.

“My time touring as the Changeling apprentice was such a great learning curve,” says Charlie, who secured roles in All’s Well that Ends Well and She Stoops to Conquer with the theatre company that's based at Maidstone.

“The crew, the directors and the audience response all helped to prepare me for my studies at the Conservatoire.”

After appearing in the Changeling's summer productions, Charlie went onto study acting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - where, incidentally, tenth Doctor David Tennant also studied - and graduated during lockdown.

She then appeared in the 13th series of the BBC sci-fi show alongside Jodie Whittaker, and also landed a role in romantic drama Mothering Sunday, which stars Odessa Young, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth and Olivia Coleman.

Charlie adds: “I am very proud to have been, and still be, part of the Changeling family.”

The Changeling Theatre, Kent’s only open-air touring company, are now looking for aspiring actors aged between 17 and 22 to perform in this summer’s tour.

“The apprentice scheme is an important part of what we do as a proudly Kent-based theatre company,” says artistic director Rob Forknall.

“As with previous years, we’re looking for someone who has aspirations to be an actor and would benefit from working with a professional cast and crew.

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

The scheme has launched the careers of many young actors from across the county - including Jas Hill from Maidstone.

“My experience with Changeling was incredible, getting an entire summer’s worth of professional touring experience was invaluable,” says Jas, who was selected as the apprentice last year.

“I felt so lucky to be cast in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Since Changeling I’ve been training with Peer Productions and recently played Antigone in their production of Holly McNish’s Antigone. Apply, you will not regret it for a minute!”

This year’s Changeling productions will be William Shakespeare’s Othello and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.

The auditions will be held on Saturday, April 23 from noon at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone.

Applicants will need to have learnt a Shakespeare speech of their choice ahead of the audition.

The successful apprentice must be available to perform throughout the tour from Friday, July 1 to Sunday, August 21 and be prepared to travel to rehearsals in London and to various venues across the South East.

To register, send your details to hello@changeling-theatre.com by Friday, April 22.

There is also the option to turn up on the day, but registering in advance is preferred.