Shakespeare in the Orchard needs cast and crew members

WARWICK - The Illustrious Theatre Company, in residence at the Warwick Valley Winery in Warwick, is looking for technical and production support staff for its upcoming summer production of "Shakespeare in the Orchard." This year's outdoor production will be Shakespeare's romantic comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing." Help in all areas is welcome, but the company is especially looking for set and costume designers, carpenters for set construction, and those with expertise in technical direction, stage managing, and props. Many are paid positions. "Much Ado About Nothing" is the final production of a successful second season for the Illustrious Theatre Company. Its other productions of the season, "The Fantasticks" and "Dancing at Lughnasa" played to sold-out audiences. Last year's "Shakespeare in the Orchard" production, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," drew audiences of 300-500 nightly. Encouraged by the response, the ITC decided to extend the run of this year's play to three weekends: July 16-18, 23-25, and 30-August 1. The ITC is also seeking directors for its upcoming third season. For more information, call Mary Clifford at 973-764-4936, E-mail her at theitc@warwick.net, or send a resume to: The Illustrious Theatre Company, P.O. Box 191, Warwick, N.Y. 10990. The Illustrious Theatre Company will be auditioning May 10-11 for its second outdoor season of "Shakespeare in the Orchard." This summer's production will be "Much Ado About Nothing", one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. The play requires a cast of 14 men (ages 18-60) and four women (ages 18-25). Auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, May 10, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 62 Little York Road, Pine Island (just off County Rte. 1A), and at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 11 at the Warwick Town Hall, 132 Kings Highway, Warwick. Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Performances will run three weekends: July 16-Aug. 1. An intensive rehearsal schedule will begin in early June. Mary Clifford, the company's artistic director, will direct. For more information, call the director at 973-764-4936.