In Town
Plainsboro Township Police Department is currently accepting applications for Citizen Police Academy to be held on Tuesdays, March 227 to May 22, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Plainsboro Municipal Building, 641 Plainsboro Road.
The program includes Investigations and Forensics, Traffic Safety and Enforcement, Domestic Violence, Crime Prevention, Firearms, DWI Enforcement, Terrorism, Police and Community Relations, and Homeland Security.
The program is open to those living or working in Plainsboro 18 years or older. Applicants must have their own transportation and make a commitment to attend the classes. The program is free. Register at www.plainsboropolice.com or call 609-799-2333.
Maurer Productions OnStage is seeking experienced actors (7 adults, 5 children) for its up-coming production of “Winnie the Pooh, The Musical.” The show requires performers to act, sing, and be ready to learn the art of puppetry. Auditions are Saturday, March 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 11, noon to 6 p.m. Rehearsals will be three times each week (two evenings and one weekend afternoon) beginning March 19. Register at www.mponstage.com/news/pooh_audition
The show is a hybrid of traditional children’s theater and large scale puppeteering similar to Jim Henson’s Muppets. Actors portraying non-human characters and wearing simple street clothes, will perform their character’s role in front of the audience, while simultaneously operating a puppet designed to look like the character from the famous A.A. Milne stories. The actor will be completely visible at all times. The combination of the actor’s physical, facial and vocal expressions, together with his or her puppeteering, will bring the character to life. The new technique for bringing actors and puppets together on stage was made famous in the Tony Award winner, “Avenue Q.”
Puppets are being hand made especially for this production and puppeteering lessons will be provided. The show’s production schedule has been expanded to 10 weeks in order to give actors enough time to learn this exciting new skill.
Performances include Thursday, May 31, 9:45 and 11:15 a.m., and 1 p.m.; Friday, June 1, 9:45 and 11:15 a.m., 1 and 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3, 2 and 4 p.m.
Yardley Players seek actors for “The Velveteen Rabbit.” Auditions are Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18, 1 to 4 p.m. in the communications building at Mercer College. Bring a photo and resume and be prepared to do a cold read from the script. Call Howard Matter at 215-675-0262 for an appointment. Roles for ages 7 and up.
Kids Corner Cooperative Nursery School in Plainsboro added enrichment classes for three and four year-olds for both morning and afternoon sessions. www.kccns.com or 609-799-1535.
Kelsey Theater benefit to upgrade failing equipment is a nine-day Caribbean cruise in August. www.cruiseone.com/crobinson. Prices begin at $999. 609-275-0335.
Greater Mercer Ride Provide offers transportation to seniors and visually impaired adults of any age in Mercer County. The Ride Provide service uses volunteers to transport customers in private automobiles. Membership, $35. Fares range from $6 to $15. Call 609-452-5140.
Mercer College invites area writers and artists to submit work for consideration in the Kelsey Review. Short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction essays, excerpts of novels, black and white line drawings, and cartoons are welcome. Deadline Tuesday, May 1. Send to Kelsey Review, Liberal Arts Division, Mercer County College, Box B, Trenton 08690. E-mail kelsey.review@mccc.edu or call 609-586-4800, ext. 3594.
Auditions
Princeton Festival of opera, musical theater, music, and dance begins in June. Auditions for the children’s chorus and adult chorus for Bizet’s “Carmen” and for orchestra, chorus, and principals for the musical “Man of La Mancha” will be held by appointment only. Visit www.princetonfestival.org for complete information.
Children 7 to 12 with “unchanged voices” are needed for “Carmen”: Saturday, March 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Send E-mail to childrenschorus@princetonfestival.org to schedule an audition.
Adult chorus for “Carmen” and principal roles for “Man of La Mancha”: Saturday, March 17, 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturday, March 17, Monday, March 19, Wednesday, March 21, and Thursday, March 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. Send E-mail to chorus@princetonfestival.org to schedule an audition. An audition fee of $10 is payable at the door. Prepare one selection in French (an aria or art song) and one piece in English in the musical theater style. An accompanist will be provided.
Orchestra for “Man of La Mancha”: Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The audition is for high school and college students who play flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, tenor trombone, bass trombone, string bass, guitar, and percussion. Sight-reading skills are desirable. Send E-mail to orchestra@princetonfestival.org to schedule an appointment.
Off-Broadstreet Theater seeks actors for “The Goodbye Girl” including a leading lady mid-thirties, a leading male mid-thirties to forties, and several adult singer/dancers. Also needed is a young girl 10 to 12 years old who can sing, dance, and act. Bring sheet music for an upbeat and a ballad. Short monologues will also be heard. Paid positions for non-equity actors. Call 609-466-2766 for an appointment. Theater is at 5 South Greenwood Avenue, Hopewell.
Princeton Pro Musica has openings for all voice parts for its April 29 concert in Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium. Call 609-683-5122 to schedule an audition. www.princetonpromusica.org. @lt:Roxey Ballet has auditions for classical dancers with a strong modern and contemporary base on Sunday, March 4, 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the Ailey Studios, 405 West 55th Street, New York. www/roxeyballet.com. 212-405-9000. @lt:Omicron Theater Productions offers open auditions from through March 31 for actors, men and women, ages 20 to 60, and backstage help. Will train. Schedule appointment at 609-443-5598.
New Jersey Repertory Theater has auditions for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 6 and 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Crossroads South Middle School, Major Road, South Brunswick. Auditioners should be in grades 1 to 8. Be prepared to sing a portion of a Broadway show tune or Disney Song. Rehearsals will be on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Performances are in May. www.njrt.org.
New Hope Celebrates invites aspiring singers, ages 16 to 22, to take part in the second annual New Hope Idol competition. The first rounds of auditions will be held on Monday, March 19, and Thursday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. at The Stockton Inn, 1 Main Street, Stockton.
Finals will be held Friday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the New Hope-Solebury High School auditorium. The winner will be awarded a scholarship from New Hope Celebrates plus the opportunity to perform in an entertainment showcase on Saturday, May 19 at the New Hope-Solebury High School. To register as a contestant contact Bob Egan Entertainment at 215-794-7716 or by E-mail at bobeganent@aol.com.
Blacksheep Films is casting for the full-length horror feature film, “Mary Woods,” written and directed by Michael Alexander. The film will be shot in the Mercer County area on weekends from April to June. Non-union actors only, ages 8-60, of all ethnicities are needed. For a full breakdown of open roles and synopsis, visit the audition page at www.blacksheepfilms.biz. Auditions will be held on Saturday, March 3, with call backs on Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Blacksheep Films Office, 219 East Hanover Street, Trenton 08608. All roles are for Deferred Pay. Meals, craft services, and on screen credit will be provided for all roles. Bring a headshot and resume with contact information.
For Kids
Arts Council of Princeton seeks submissions for its nineteenth annual edition of Under Age, an anthology of poems, prose, and artwork produced by children in grades K through 12. Entries will be accepted in both English and Spanish for this year’s publication, as well as black and white artwork. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, March 16, at 5 p.m. Guidelines are at www.artscouncilofprinceton.org or call 609-924-8777.
Eden Institute Foundation offers the Alexis Kate Special Education Teachers Scholarship to a college student who has declared a special education major and has demonstrated an extracurricular commitment to the field. Deadline is Monday, April 30. www.edenservices.org or 609-897-0099.
South Brunswick Family YMCA offers holiday camp April 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9. $65 per day. Register by Friday, March 16. www.southbrunswickymca.org or 732-329-1150.
Ronald McDonald House Charities offers 60 $10,”000 college scholarships to high school seniors based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and community involvement. Deadline is Thursday, February 15. Applications are available through high school guidance counselors or call Gabe Weissman at 215-790-4366.
Art Submissions
Arts Council of Princeton seeks submissions for “Small Works,” and exhibition of works no larger than 15” x 15” x 15” of sculpture, painting, pottery, photographs, and poetry. www.arts councilofprinceton.org. Works will be accepted Saturday and Sunday, February 24 and 25, 10 a.m .to 4 p.m. Membership, $40.
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ seeks wildlife art and photography for an exhibit that will take place jointly with the Women & Wildlife Awards reception on Sunday, March 25, at the Prallsville Mills in Stockton. Subject matter must depict wildlife found naturally in New Jersey. Limited to two-dimensional art. Artwork and photographs may be donated to the foundation or be available for sale on the day of the event. Deadline Friday, March 2. www.conservewildlifenj.org or 609-292-3707.
Gallery 125 seeks submissions in all media for its spring exhibit opening April 13. Submit digital files on CDs to Gallery 125, 125 South Warrent Street, Trenton 08608. $10 for up to five submissions. Call the gallery for complete directions. 609-989-9119.
Mercer College invites area writers and artists to submit work for consideration in the Kelsey Review. Short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction essays, excerpts of novels, black and white line drawings, and cartoons are welcome. Deadline Tuesday, May 1. Send to Kelsey Review, Liberal Arts Division, Mercer County College, Box B, Trenton 08690. E-mail kelsey.review@mccc.edu or call 609-586-4800, ext. 3594.
New Brunswick Community Arts Council seeks submissions from New Jersey artists 18 and older. Limit of three. No entry fees. For the Co-Existence Festival from April 28 to May 20. Visit www.coextencefestival.org for complete entry guidelines. Deadline is Monday, March 5.
New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest is accepting scripts through Saturday, June 30, for new works that enhance self-realization, support peace and social justice; foster new understanding of minority issues that focus on racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination both in the United States and abroad; empower youth to build healthy inner foundations; educate to gain further insight into healthy social/emotional living, shed new light on religious, spiritual, and cultural differences, and issues; build respect for cultural expression and identity in a world that is experiencing rapid globalization; and explore the widening gap between the values this country was founded on and the values we present to the world today. For guidelines and application visit www.PlaywritingContest.cjb.net.
The Photo Review is sponsoring its 23rd annual photography competition to be published with winners chosen for an exhibition at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Entry fee is $30 for up to three prints, slides, or images on a CD; $5 additional for two more images. Entries must be received between Tuesdays, May 1 and 15. www.photoreview.org. 215-891-0214.
Sabine Rose Gallery seeks plein air works for an upcoming exhibition. Painters are invited to supply three samples of their work along with an entry form and $25. Deadline is Monday, April 9. www.sabinerosegallery.com or 215-489-5700.
South Brunswick Arts Commission is accepting applications from artists for 2007 themed juried art exhibits and original poetry appropriate to the theme. For application or information call 732-329-4000 or E-mail arts@sbtnj.net. Garden variety, due Thursday, March 1; My Best Shot, due Tuesday, May 1; My View of America, due Friday, June 1; and All Creatures Wild and Tame, due Saturday, September 1.
Voices for the Marsh 2007, a juried photography show of photos taken at the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh. Submissions are due Saturday, March 3, noon to 3 p.m. at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park, Trenton, www.marsh-friends.org
Good Causes
Mercer County Library System is collecting mobile and cell phones to benefit March of Dimes. Collection boxes will be at all library branches, Mercer County Tennis Centers, golf course clubhouses, Sovereign Bank Area, McDade Administration Building, and the Mercer County Clerk’s office. Phones are recycled by ReCellular. www.mercercounty.org.
The Academy Theater offers half-price tickets to “Bat Boy,” in exchange for a pint of your blood. American Red Cross Blood drive at the theater, 146 Route 130, Bordentown, on Saturday, February 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 609-291-9000 to schedule an appointment.
Kelsey Theater benefit to upgrade failing equipment is a nine-day Caribbean cruise in August. www.cruiseone.com/crobinson. Prices begin at $999. 609-275-0335.
Rider University’s Prejudice Reduction Lecture Series seeks contributions to the endowment fund to honor Marvin W. Goldstein’s 38 years of service to the university. The lecture series, open to the public, will feature nationally recognized speakers once a year. Send to Rider University, University Advancement LIB 137, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville 08648.
Available
Jewish Family & Children’s Services offers a pre-Passover Seder for survivors of domestic violence. Location confidential. Child care and Kosher meal provided. Free. Register by Thursday, March 15. E-mail Debral@jfcsonline.org or call 609-243-0390.
Princeton HomeCare Services Hospice Program opened the Library for Bereaved Children and Teens at 208 Bunn Drive, Princeton. The program includes books written for children and teens as well as books and educational materials for adults to better understand the children. It will be open afternoons and evenings by appointment. Call 609-497-4900.
Princeton Center for Yoga & Health offers free classes for new visitors from Saturday, March 3, to Friday, March 9. Returning students may take a free class if they bring a new friend to the center. 50 Vreeland Drive, Skillman. www.princetonyoga.com 609-924-7294.
For Volunteers
Stony Brook Watershed offers volunteer teacher and naturalist training on Wednesdays, March 7, 14, and 21. Adults will be trained to help deliver environmental programs to schools and the public. www.thewatershed.org. Register at 609-737-7592.
Contact of Mercer County seeks volunteer hotline specialists to man the 24-hour crisis intervention line. Training course begins on Tuesday, March 6, and runs weekly through May 22. Morning and evening classes are available. www.contactofmercer.org. Call 609-883-2880.
Trips
Central Jersey Genealogical Club is hosting a bus trip to Washington, DC, on Wednesday, April 11. Researchers and sightseers are welcome. Call Jackie Sabo at 609-434-0199 before Thursday, March 1.
Women’s College Club of Princeton plans a trip to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on Thursday, March 8 for a docent-led tour of the exhibit featuring the treasures discovered in King Tut’s tomb in 1922. $55 per person. A bus will leave Princeton Shopping Center at 9:30 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. For reservations call 609-921-8575.
The Arts
Princeton University Ticketing now offers an electronic newsletter with monthly updates on performances and other events on campus. Subscribers also receive special discount ticket offers. To subscribe, visit www.princeton.edu/utickets/ensignup.html.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center seeks musicians to perform as part of its summer series of concerts in NJPAC’s public plaza on Thursday evenings and one Friday evening, beginning July 5. Three groups, featured per evening, each performing a 30 to 60 minute set, receive an honorarium. Artists may present and sell CDs and tapes and promote upcoming performances. Musicians must submit an entry form along with a CD, DVD, or cassette demo, and biographical information by Friday, March 30. Form and information at www.njpac.org. 973-353-8046.
Health
National Institute of Environment Health Sciences seeks 18,”000 women to join the Sister Study, a research effort to find the causes of breast cancer. Available in English and Spanish, the study begins with participants answering questions about diet, jobs, hobbies, and things they have been exposed to throughout their lives. Later on a female health technician collects small samples of blood, urine, toenail clippings, and house dust. Women who join must never have been diagnosed with breast cancer but women, ages 35 to 74, may be eligible to join if their sisters (living or deceased) had breast cancer. www.estudiodehermanas.org. 877-4Sister.
