In Town
Pennington Players have auditions for “Big River,” a musical adaptation of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” The production, based on the 2003 Broadway staging by the Roundabout Theater Company and the American Deaf West Theater, will blend American Sign Language with traditional choreography and staging. Roles are open for both deaf and hearing actors, and actors of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition.
Preliminary auditions for hearing actors will be Tuesday, June 25, from 7 to 10 p.m.; and Saturday, June 29, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Preliminary auditions for deaf actors will be Thursday, June 27, from 7 to 10 p.m.; and Saturday, June 29, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Callbacks for all roles will be on Sunday, June 30. E-mail auditions@penningtonplayers.org for appointment.
Hearing actors are asked to prepare one complete song and be prepared to dance and learn sign interpretation. Deaf actors are asked to prepare a two to three minute story and to be prepared to present it in sign language. A brief choreography combination will be taught at the preliminary audition.
The production team includes West Windsor residents Frank Ferrara as director and Shannon Ferrara as musical director.
Great Clips salons offer free hair cuts for cancer survivors on Tuesday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at East Windsor, Nassau Park, and Hamilton Marketplace to support the efforts of the Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day. Call Denise Schiera at 609-553-3196.
“Our three Great Clips Salons are participating in the Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day because we believe that volunteerism and community service are important to the success and growth of our business and the well-being of our community,” says Schiera, owner and a West Windsor resident.
Summer Programs
OCM Canaan Church of Princeton offer “Kids’ Fun Week” for pre-K to sixth grade on Monday to Friday, August 5 to 9. Activities include music, games, Bible stories, crafts, and science fun from 7 to 9 p.m. The location is 826 Village Road West, West Windsor. Register online at www.ocmccp.org. E-mail atkfw@ocmccp.org or call 609-799-4455 for information.
Comedy Playground offers a one week camp for ages 8 to 18 at Cambridge School. The class provides expression through learning how to develop and perform stand up comedy, learning improvisation, and applying both into a culminating performance. The course will be taught by Susanne Spies, a native of Princeton, an actress, and a comedienne. Classes will be held, Monday to Thursday, August 5 to 8, with the show on Friday, August 9. $375. Visit www.comedyplayground.com, E-mail susanna@comedyplayground.com, or call 323-397-2709.
Raritan Valley Community College offers two gifted and talented classes for children ages 10 to 12 at the Branchburg campus. “Word Origins: How Do We Know Them & Why” (9 a.m. to noon), and “An Introduction to Algebraic Concepts” (1 to 4 p.m.) will be held Monday to Friday, July 22 to August 2. Each class is $275. Visit www.raritanval.edu/youth, E-mail youth@raritanval.edu, or call 908-526-1200, ext. 8404.
Volunteer Please
New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers at blood drives. The blood service volunteer assists donors with registration, escorting, and canteen duties, and watches for post donation reactions. Contact R. Jan Zepka at 732-616-8741 or rzepka@nybloodcenter.org
Good Grief is a local nonprofit that supports children and families after the death of a parent or sibling. Its programs are free and groups are led by trained volunteers from every walk of life. Community members interested in making a difference in the life of a grieving child can register for Good Grief’s next facilitator training. All volunteers make a year-long commitment. The next training is Friday to Monday, June 7 to 10, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Visit www.good-grief.org or contact Melissa Stackpole at volunteer@good-grief.org or 609-498-6674, ext. 8003.
Medi-Cool Program
Mercer County offers free air conditioners to qualified senior citizens and those with disabilities through the Medi-Cool Program, facilitated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, and Rise Inc. of Hightstown. Seniors age 60 and older with a documented health condition and who meet income eligibility requirements can receive a voucher that entitles them to a free air conditioner. Residents 18 years or older who have a disability may also qualify. All applicants must provide proof of residency, proof of income, prescriptions, and proof of assets. All registrations must be done in person before Friday, May 31. Eligible applicants will receive a voucher for an air conditioner to be picked up at 1125 George Street, Building R, Trenton, on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4 and 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Ana Vasquez at 609-443-4464 or E-mail avasquez@rise-community-services.org.
For Women Only
Jersey Harmony Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, invites women to join. Membership includes women of all ages and represents a wide range of occupations and backgrounds. Weekly rehearsals are held on Monday evenings at Griggstown Reformed Church, 1065 Canal Road, Princeton, at 7:15 p.m. The requirements for membership are the ability to carry a tune and the time to attend weekly rehearsals. Visit www.jerseyharmonychorus.org or contact Carole Auletta at 732-236-6803.
In the Arts
Arts Council of Princeton seeks drama instructors for its Summer Arts & Drama Camp, a 10-week program, June 24 to August 30, where campers work together to create an original production.
Interested applicants should have experience working with children ages 4 to 9 and be available to work at least three full weeks between June 24 to August 30, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Submit resume and three reference to Laura Borawski at lborawski@artscouncilofprinceton.org.
Art instructors are accepted on a rolling basis for the winter, spring, summer, and fall semesters. New instructors must submit a resume, references, and examples of work. Submit a materials list with your proposal. Art models (both clothed and nude) are needed for studio classes. E-mail Liz Murray at emurray@artscouncilofprinceton.org or call 609-924-8777, ext. 101.
For Kids
Nature Conservancy’s New Jersey chapter is challenging schools and community groups in five counties to “Show Us Your H2O” by submitting creative entries that answer the question “Where does your water come from?” School groups and tax-exempt community groups from Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Middlesex, or Somerset counties can choose various formats for consideration. The deadline is Saturday, June 8.
Entries will be judged on originality, content, accuracy, and quality in explaining their water source. Two winners will be announced on June 17; select entries will be showcased on a dedicated web page, and Nature Conservancy will install the rain gardens on each winners’ property in the early fall. Visit www.nature.org/showusyourh2o.
