Remember the fireworks in Beijing 2008? Or the Queen leaping from a helicopter in London 2012?

An audience of billions, beyond the wildest dreams of the world’s biggest super-stars, tune in to watch the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Now it’s your chance to perform in what will certainly be some of the most memorable events of Rio 2016.

Applications are open for volunteers looking to take part in the performances that mark the beginning and end of the Games.

Anyone, regardless of talent or nationality, is welcome to apply. For non-Brazilians, however, a basic level of Portuguese will be necessary to follow direction, as well as a valid passport.

“The Olympic Movement relies on the talents of volunteers as the backbone of these ceremonies which aim to represent the people and culture of the host nation,” Leonardo Caetano, the director of ceremonies for Rio 2016, said. “Volunteers will not only be able to watch the performance, but also be a part of it. There’s no better place to watch the show than from centre stage!”

Among the most eagerly anticipated events of the Games, the opening and closing ceremonies will display Brazilian culture to the rest of the world, while showcasing those familiar moments of maximum Olympic excitement, such as the arrival of the torch and the parade of athletes. The closing ceremony will mark the handover of the Olympic flag to the next host city: Tokyo 2020.

Top Brazilian artists will oversee the productions, including Fernando Meirelles, director of the Oscar-nominated film, City of God.

Volunteers prepare backstage during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games (Photo: COI/John Huet)

Auditions will begin in November this year, when applicants will have their first meeting with the Rio 2016  artistic team. With a huge number of roles to fill – the opening ceremony alone will require around 5,000 volunteers – the organisers insist it is not necessary for applicants to have a particular talent or previous experience.

“We’re going to recruit people of all ages and backgrounds, with or without artistic experience. We’re looking for dancers, acrobats, skateboarders, roller-skaters, jugglers and graffiti artists. But most importantly, we are looking for enthusiasm, energy and a willingness to participate,” Rodrigo Raposo, the volunteer co-ordinator for the company Cerimônias Cariocas 2016, said.

Those chosen to take part will have to attend rehearsals from the beginning of April 2016. To apply, you must be aged 16 or over by 1 April 2016.

All the events will take place in Rio’s world-famous Maracanã stadium. The opening and closing of the Olympic Games will take place on the 5 and 21 August, while the opening and closing of the Paralympics will be on 7 and 18 September.

Fancy joining the party? Sign up here by 30 August 2015.