In Town
Playful Theater is holding open auditions for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” for a final cast up to 40 performers at Kelsey Theater.##M:[more]## Auditions for adults are Saturday, August 18, 2:30 to 5 p.m.; Monday, August 20, 7 to 10 p.m.; and Wednesday, August 22, 8:30 to 10 p.m. Children’s auditions are Saturday, August 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Wednesday, August 22, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Contact Suzanne Smith at 215-579-5677 or by E-mail Suzanne_mclean@hotmail.com for appointment. Please note on your audition form if you are allergic to latex. Be prepared to sing one musical theater piece and dance. Bring a theater resume, a recent photo, and a list of all conflicts from September 5 through November 11.
Cheng/Ferrara Productions has auditions for “The Rocky Horror Show” on Wednesday, August 13, 7 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, August 24, noon to 5 p.m. Kelsey Theater. Must be 18. Call 609-499-1388 for appointment.
Robert Half International hosts a suit drive benefiting Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to women transitioning from unemployment to self-sufficiency. Suits may be dropped off through Friday, August 1, or arrangements can be made for a pickup. Offices are invited to host a drive and materials will be provided. Robert Half is located at 700 Alexander Park, Suite 200, West Windsor.
New or nearly new women’s suits (pants and skirts), blouses, shoes, and accessories, are welcome. Donations should be appropriate to wear to work, as well as clean, stylish, and in good condition. Please provide all garments on hangers, as they will be made available immediately through Dress for Success boutiques. For more information visit www.rhi.com/philanthropy or call Tammy Safran at 609-987-0786.
Princeton Free Wheelers offers rides of various lengths through Princeton and central New Jersey. Six tours from 20 to 100 miles are available for all levels of experience. Must wear helmet. Saturday, August 2. Rides begin and end at Mercer County College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Services include free parking, rest rooms, vendors, sag, emergency help, water, and snack stops. Post ride lunch is included with $30 registration fee. Call 609-882-4739 or E-mail infoguy@princetonfreewheelers.com.
Barnes & Noble offers a free book for children entering grades 1 to 6. Children must be enrolled in the summer reading journal program, and choose eight books to either read or be read to. www.barnesandnobleinc.com or call 609-716-1570.
American Heart Association seek volunteers for the Mercer County Heart Walk on Sunday, September 16, at Mercer County Park. Roles include setting up, taking down, check-in, registration, performers and entertainers, team photograph volunteers, community health fair participants, volunteers to help distribute food and water, and support. Call 609-208-0020.
For Families
Young Audiences New Jersey presents a family arts and creativity workshop on Thursday, August 7, at Princeton Arts Council. Open to ages 3 to 5 plus a participating parent or caregiver. To register call 609-243-9000. Free.
For Singers
Princeton Pro Musica seeks singers to its 30th concert season featuring Haydn’s Creation, Handel’s Messiah, and Bach’s St. John Passion. Opening for all voice parts. Audition in August and September by appointment only. Regular rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 7:15 to 9:45 p.m., beginning September 9. www.princetonpromusica.org. Call 609-683-5122 to schedule an appointment.
Community Christian Choir is holding registration for singers to join the group. Friday, August 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, August 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. Allentown United Methodist Church, 23 Church Street, Allentown. The children’s choir has sections for ages 5 through high school. The adult choir has a Genesis section that is unauditioned and requires a minimal amount of rehearsals, and a Principle choir section that rehearses weekly to sing more involved repertoire. The joint choirs present a Christmas music to raise funds for area charities. www.ccchoir.com. Call 609-587-7076.
For Playwrights
Lawrence Library sees submission for its One Act Play Festival in April. Playwrights living or working in the Delaware Valley are asked to submit their works of a staged reading 10 to 20 minutes long for up to five characters. E-mail to Ann Kerr at akerr@mcl.org. Deadline is Wednesday, October 15. 609-989-6922.
Outdoors
Arbor Day Foundation offers “What Tree is That?” a guide to the more common trees found in the Eastern and Central United States. Send $5 with name and address to Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska City, NE 68410. www.arborday.org.
Trip
Old Barracks Museum offers “Lakes, Forts, and Freedom Tour 2008,” a trip to Fort William Henry, Lake George; Frederic Battlefield, Fort Ticonderoga, Lake Champlain, and Saratoga. Friday to Sunday, September 12 to 14. Two nights at Wynhdham Wingate Hotel, breakfast, choice of tours, and bus. $350.
Audition
Villagers Theater has auditions for “Uncle Vanya” on Sunday, August 5, and Tuesday, August 7, at 7 p.m. Auditions consist of readings from the script. Four women and five men are needed. E-mail akahh8@yahoo.com for information. All auditions are at the theater at 415 DeMott Lane, Somerset.
Plays in the Park has auditions for “Cinderella” on Saturday, August 9, at 4 p.m. Roosevelt Park, Edison. www.playsinthepark.com.
Donate Please
Church World Service requests donations of school kits, tote bags holding basic school supplies, for distribution to school children in need domestically and worldwide. Assembling the kits may be don by families, congregations, scout troops, schools, camps, or civic organizations. Visit www.churchworldservice.org/kits for specifics or call 609-924-6466 for information.
Volunteer
Womanspace Domestic Violence Victim Response Team and Sexual Assault Support Services Advocate Team seeks volunteers, 18 or older, with a valid driver’s license, and transportation. Volunteers must pass a criminal background check and attend mandatory meetings and trainings. Bi-lingual individuals are encouraged to apply. Apply by Monday, August 6. E-mail dvvrt@womanspace.org or call 609-394-0136.
Contact of Mercer County offers 40-hour hotline training course. The 11-week program will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1985 Pennington Road, Ewing at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Classes are open free of charge to the general public, age 18 or older. References are required before volunteer work begins. www.contactofmercer.org. Call 609-883-2880 for specifics.
Business Classes
New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners offers “How to Start a Small Business” free three-hour seminars for both men and women exploring the possibilities of starting a new business. The classes, that will be held on the second Monday of every month, begin Monday, August 13, from 9 a.m. to noon. Free counseling is available after the seminar. 127 Route 206, Hamilton. Register by phone 609-581-2220 or E-mail wbcasst@njawbo.org.
Italian Classes
Dorothea’s House offers Italian language classes for adults and children ($55) at beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels on Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday beginning September 15. “Florentine Art in the 15th and 16th Century,” begins Monday, September 17; and “Italy’s Geography, History, and Art” begins Friday, September 21. All courses are $85 for 10 weeks. 120 John Street, Princeton. 908-359-1564.
