Youth Auditions to be February 28

Youth auditions for the 2016 summer season will be held on February 28 from 3-6 pm in the Black Box Theatre in the Snow Fine Arts building on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

There are available roles in "West Side Story" and the opportunity to appear in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" as part of The Groundlings Company. Interested actors ages 8 to 17 are encouraged to audition.

No preparation is necessary, but participants will be asked to sing and move, as well as be given a scene to read. To secure a space, e-mail casting@arkshakes.com with the names and ages of those wanting to audition. AST officials will respond with an assigned audition time and more information.

Students will have the chance to be considered for limited ensemble roles in West Side Story. They will also be able to audition for AST's summer educational program, The Groundlings Company. Members of this program will appear in “A Midsummer Night's Dream” as fairies and creatures of the forest. This unique opportunity combines learning with practice as students participate in acting classes while also rehearsing and performing alongside AST's professional acting company in “Midsummer.” There is a fee of $300 to participate in this program.

Rehearsals for all productions will begin May 17. Rehearsals for both “West Side Story” and “Midsummer” will be primarily in the evenings, with some daytime technical rehearsals prior to opening. “Midsummer” opens June 10 on the UCA campus and runs through the end of the festival on July 9. “West Side Story” opens June 17, with additional performances throughout the duration of the festival.

For more information about the auditions, contact Dr. Mary Ruth Marotte at (501) 269-9428 or mrmarotte@arkshakes.com. For more information about AST and its season, visit www.arkshakes.com.