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originally published: 01/17/2022

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Calling all young Bard-lovers! Two River Theater is seeking talented high schoolers for their upcoming production of A Little Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing. Now in its ninth year, A Little Shakespeare is one of Two River’s most popular education programs which brings together a cast and crew of area high school students to work with theater professionals in creating an abridged production of one of Shakespeare’s works.

Students not only perform in the production, but also work backstage as Directing Assistant, Assistant Stage Manager, Stage Crew, and Costume, Lighting, and Sound Assistants, learning from the pros and eventually running the entire production. Participation in the program is completely free of charge, and is sponsored by Zynergy Retirement Planning.

Little Shakes: Much Ado will be directed by Rakesh Palisetty, a theater, film, and opera director from New Delhi, India. His shows have toured extensively across India. Select credits include Kimberly Akimbo Musical (Directing Fellow) at Atlantic Theater, Hedda Gabler at Lenfest Center for the Arts, Thirty Six Questions at Columbia Stages, and Bedtime Plays at The Tank. He will soon receive his MFA in Directing from Columbia University. About this upcoming production, Rakesh explains, “Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. It promises to be a raucous party full of schemes, tricks, deception, and of course, love. So without much ado, put on your masks and come see these teenagers bring this party to life.”

The audition date for high school actors, as well as the deadline for backstage submissions, is Tuesday, February 15, 2022. For full information on scheduling, and audition and interview requirements, visit tworivertheater.org/a-little-shakespeare.

A Little Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing runs May 6 through May 15. Tickets are $25, and $20 for those under 12.  Click here to purchase tickets.

 

Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

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ABOUT A LITTLE SHAKESPEARE: Now in its ninth season as one of Two River’s most popular education programs, A Little Shakespeare introduces the works of Shakespeare to hundreds of youth and adults each year. Through this program, Two River produces a 75-minute abridged version of a Shakespeare play, performed and supported backstage by high school students, and directed and designed by theater professionals.

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS: All audience members over the age of 12 are required to show proof of vaccination. People with exemptions must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 36 hours of the performance time or a negative antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance time. No over-the-counter, at-home test results will be accepted.

All guests, regardless of age or vaccination status, are required to wear masks while inside the theater building. Exceptions are only made for patrons eating and/or drinking in designated areas, one hour prior to the showtime.

Two River Theater will follow any forthcoming state mandates related to Covid-19. All requirements are subject to change, allowing us to best prioritize the safety of our audience members, artists, staff and community.

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Two River Theater’s 2021/22 Season Sponsor is Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center. A Little Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing is sponsored by Zynergy Retirement Planning.

Two River’s arts education programs are supported in part by the Mary Owen Borden Foundation, Investors Foundation, Manasquan Bank Charitable Foundation, PNC Foundation, and The Stone Foundation of New Jersey. 

Two River Theater is supported in part by public support through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Private support includes Bank of America, Mary Owen Borden Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Helen Clay Frick Foundation, The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, The Horizon Foundation of New Jersey, Investors Foundation, Jewish Communal Fund, The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Manasquan Bank Charitable Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The William T. Morris Foundation, OceanFirst Foundation, PNC Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, Zager Fuchs, PC, and many other generous foundations, corporations and individuals.

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Two River Theater produces a theatrical season that includes American and world classics, new plays and musicals, programs for young people, and festivals of new work. Each year, we also offer 40+ events that reflect our diverse community of Red Bank, New Jersey. Two River produces work on two stages—the 350-seat Rechnitz Theater, and the flexible 110-seat Marion Huber Theater. The theater’s recently opened Center for New Work, Education and Design is a three-story facility that includes two rehearsal studios, artist labs, classrooms, expanded shops and centrally located offices. Two River Theater has commissioned and premiered original projects including Be More Chill by Tony Award nominee Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz (the theater’s first Broadway production) and Hurricane Diane by Playwright-in-Residence Madeleine George (which won an Obie Award for its Off-Broadway run). In June 2019, Two River was nationally recognized by USA TODAY as one of “10 great places to see a play” across the U.S. Two River serves thousands of students and community members through arts and humanities programs at the theater, in schools and throughout its region. Two River Theater is led by Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst.

Photo by Scott L Friedman