Local people are being encouraged to become the stars of the shows for many of the events at this year's Norfolk and Norwich Festival.

For rather that just watching the shows from the crowd, audience members will have the chance to take on the roles of performers and artists at many of the events during the 16 day arts extravaganza in May.

The festival's artistic director William Galinsky said: 'I think everyone has an urge to express themselves through an artistic medium whether it's visual arts, creative writing, being on stage as part of a performance or whether its singing in a choir.

'This year I really see it as my job to try to give that experience to as many people as possible – of all ages, from all over the county and from different sectors of the community.'

There will be lots of opportunities for people to put on their dancing shoes.

There will be dance classes just before Susan and Darren - a show where the audience watches the mother and son act prepare for one of their infamous parties - and at the end of each of the shows at Epic Studios from May 13 to 16 the audience can perform at a disco.

Ragroof Theatre will be encouraging people to take part in tea dances at the festival's Spiegeltent on May 13 and 20, meanwhile at the Festival Feast in Chapelfield Gardens on May 26, the company Magic Number will be performing on Chapelfield's band stand and inviting people to join in with some more tea dance fun.

At Aurora Orchestra's concert Jealous Guy in St Andrew's Hall on May 20, professional tango dancers will be part of the show, and during the interval they will be inviting everyone to take to the stage.

If visual art is more your thing, then the Planet of the Jackanapes exhibition at Norwich Castle is inviting people to get involved in painting and drawing as part of the performance art taking place there on May 12, 13, 20 and 26.

Meanwhile Kindur: The Adventurous Life of Icelandic Sheep at Epic from May 23 to 26 will enable children to be part of the performance as they go on a journey of discovery, meeting trolls, elves, and crossing wild moorland along the way.

As previously reported, the show 100pc Norfolk - which is all about celebrating Norfolk life - has already cast ordinary people from across the county for the production.

And finally, Dane Zanes and Friends are looking for a young music group to take part in their all-singing all-dancing jamboree on May 13 - any group interested should email Stephanie Mayers at stephanie@festivalfive.com

• To take part in most of these events people will need to buy tickets for the shows.

• The Norfolk and Norwich Festival runs from May 11 until 26. For more details on prices, dates and timings of events and how to book tickets visit www.nnfestival.org.uk or call 01603 766400.

• Are you involved in a new arts project in Norwich? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk