In exactly six months the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will officially launch the start of Glasgow and Scotland’s biggest-ever festival of sport and culture.

Glasgow 2014 wants up to 3,000 genuine and enthusiastic people to be at the heart of the Games and today (Thursday, 23 January) begins its search to find the stars of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

A mass cast recruitment is now on to find the talented individuals who will be the life and soul of the party as Glasgow and Scotland invites in the world with the warmest of welcomes.

Around 3,000 voluntary cast members are required for the Ceremonies, to be held at Celtic Park and Hampden, Scotland’s National Stadium, which will be seen by live audiences of more than 40,000 people and a potential global television audience of more than one billion.

Whilst the content of the Ceremonies is being kept under wraps for now, spectators are being promised two evenings of delight and surprise which proudly and playfully reflect the culture of Glasgow and Scotland in a warm, welcoming way.

Applications to be part of the cast, which covers both Ceremonies and some elements which will be pre-recorded, opened this morning and will be accepted until 14 February with auditions due to take place in March.

You could be part of Glasgow 2014’s big moments on a global stage if you are:

· Aged 18 or over by 1 March 2014
· Available to attend auditions in Glasgow
· Available to rehearse and attend the performance

All mass cast places are voluntary and no previous experience is required. Organisers are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are willing to represent Glasgow and Scotland and contribute their passion, talent, energy and positive spirit to the Ceremonies.

Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, David Grevemberg, said:
“The Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be a moment for Glasgow and Scotland to shine brightly on the global stage, demonstrating the genuine passion and enthusiasm the host city and country have for the Games.
“This is about showcasing the very best of a city and a nation to an international audience and how better to do that than through the enthusiasm and passion of its people.”

Fiona McEwan, Vice Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“Being part of the Opening and Closing ceremonies is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the lucky 3,000 people who will make up the mass cast to get involved in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The ceremonies are an unforgettable part of being selected as an athlete to compete at the Games and will prove equally memorable for the cast and for everyone who sees them perform.”

Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are being created and produced on behalf of Glasgow 2014 by Jack Morton Worldwide who also created the Ceremonies for Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 and Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. They are the team behind some of the most high profile and critically acclaimed ceremonies on four continents – including Athens 2004 Olympic Ceremonies and the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup Ceremonies.

For further information about how to apply and for an online application form please go to www.glasgow2014.com

There are a limited number of tickets still available for the Opening Ceremony. For details go to http://www.glasgow2014.com/ or call 0844 826 2014