Valley Shakespeare Festival plans auditions in Shelton

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (AEA and Non-AEA)

As You Like It (Non-Equity School Tour) 

All roles open.

Local CT AEA/Non-AEA Auditions March 21

TIME: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

PLACE: Shelton Community Center, 40 Church St., Shelton

Please prepare two contrasting 1-2 minute Shakespeare monologues.  If you play guitar or an instrument please bring it and have a 16-bar selection ready.  You may be asked to stay and read from the script after you have auditioned.  Please be familiar with shows for which you are auditioning.

Also, bring a picture/resume stapled together.

Members of Actor’s Equity can make an appointment for Saturday, you may reach us at the number below from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.  
For more information please do not hesitate to e-mail vsfestival@gmail.com or call 203-513-9446.

Production Details

As You Like It (Non-Equity School Tour $150-$200 per week + housing for out-of-town actors)

Rehearsal: April 27-May 1, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily.

Tour:  May 3-8.  Early mornings. 

Actors who sing/play instruments encouraged! 8 cast members: 5 males, 3 females.

Every actor has ASM duties and should be comfortable leading a 30-minute workshop with students and teachers before performances.

Orlando (M)

Rosalind (F)

Celia (F)

Duke Frederick/Duke Senior/Audrey (M)

Silvus/Charles the Wrestler (M)

Oliver (M)

Adam/Phoebe (F)

Jaques/LeBeau (M)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream SPT contract pending (minimum $224 per week).

Rehearsal: June 22-July 8, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 

Performances: July 9-12 at 8 p.m. (four performances)

Outdoor free production to the community.  Many characters are doubled, actor’s must have strong characterization through the text.

Male/Female actors and actress from ages 16-50 needed.

Theseus/Oberon (M)

Hippolyta/Titania (F)

Philostrate/Puck (M)

Egeus/Peter Quince (M)

Demetrius (M)

Lysander (M)

Hermia (F)

Helena (F)

Nick Bottom (M)

Francis Flute/Peasebottom (M)

Robin Starveling/Cobweb (M)

Tom Snout/Moth (M)

Snug/Mustardseed (M)

Fairy 1/Attendant (M)

Fairy 2/Attendant (F)

This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival.

Seuss stories shared at Seymour school

Bungay celebrates 'Read Across America Day' 

Bungay School Principal MarySue Feige, left, reads aloud "Green Eggs and Ham" Tuesday with the Cat in the Hat (a.k.a. Sam Pollastro) to children in Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2.  

Seymour Middle School Assistant Principal Ernie DiStasi reads a Dr. Seuss story to fourth graders Monday.

Seymour Board of Education member Jay Hatfield reads a Dr. Seuss story Monday to third graders. 


Monday, the birthday of children's author Theodor Seuss Geisel, best known as Dr. Seuss, was Read Across America Day and at Bungay School it marked the kickoff of a week-long celebration of reading.

Students took the following oath, which is designed to instill a lifelong love of reading:

I promise to read

Each day and each night

I know it’s the key 

To growing up right.

I’ll read to myself,

I’ll read to a crowd,

It makes no difference

If silent or loud.

I’ll read at my desk.

At home and at school,

On my bean bag or bed,

By the fire or pool.

Each book that I read

Puts smarts in my head.

‘Cause brains grow more thoughts 

The more they are fed.

So I take this oath

To make reading my way

Of feeding my brain

What it needs every day.

Please click here to read my story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Cat in the Hat visits Bungay School in Seymour

The Cat in the Hat visited students and staff Monday at Bungay School in Seymour to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday and kick off "Read Across America" week. Here Seuss' infamous character (portrayed by Sam Pollastro) poses with Bungay School Principal MarySue Feige.

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.


Update: The story is posted here.

Bowl-2-Benefit slated March 14 in Milford

27th annual event supports domestic violence services 

The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, a program of BHcare, is seeking bowlers of all ages and skill levels to participate in the 27th Annual Bowl-2-Benefit on March 14.

The day-long event will be held at AMF Lanes, 1717 Boston Post Road, Milford. 

All proceeds from this non-competitive benefit UCDVS which provides services to nearly 7,000 victims of domestic violence and their children each year throughout the Greater New Haven, Greater Naugatuck Valley, and Shoreline communities. 

UCDVS provides free emergency safe shelter, 24-hour crisis services, counseling, court advocacy, support and other crucial services.

The Bowl-2-Benefit, one of the largest fundraising events of its kind in the state, attracts more than 1,500 community members. 

Bowlers of all ages and skill levels are welcome but pre-registration is required. While the 4:30 p.m. session is sold-out, there is still plenty of room in the 9 a.m.,11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. sessions.

Bowlers pay a minimal $5 registration fee and are asked to collect pledges to support their efforts. Each bowler will receive 90 minutes of bowling, an event t-shirt, shoe rental, soft drink, and a chance to win prizes. 

The event is ideal for clubs, schools, organizations, corporations and families.


C.J. Forcier is a six year veteran of the event and team captain of the New Haven Family Condors, the event’s top fund-raising team in recent years. 

“The New Haven Family Condors became involved with the Bowl-2-Benefit as a team building event and to support our court-based Victim Advocacy Program in the New Haven Court. The day of the bowling event is unlike any other as it is filled with a lot of laughter, comradery, and heaps of fun. I would strongly encourage anyone to be part of the event; you’ll have a great time,” Forcier said.

Decreases in state and federal funding coupled with increases in demand for services make fundraising events such as the Bowl-2-Benefit critical to sustaining services for those at risk and in need. Last year, the Bowl-2-Benefit raised over $93,000. Event organizers hope to exceed that amount this year and attract an even larger bowling crowd.

The 27th Annual Bowl-2-Benefit is being sponsored by the Bassett Family Fund and media partners include Channel 3 Eyewitness News, 99.1 WPLR and Star 99.9-FM. 

Anyone interested in receiving more information about, or participating in the Bowl-2-Benefit, should call Debbie Soulsby, 203-736-2601, ext. 1321 or visit www.bhcare.org. Deadline for bowler registration is March 5.



This is a press release from BHcare, a regional community provider of behavioral health, addiction prevention, and domestic violence services for the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven, and Shoreline communities.

For more information, visit www.bhcare.org.

Mayor extends dog walking at Ansonia Riverwalk through March

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti announced today that the Ansonia Riverwalk will be open for dog walking through the month of March.

David S. Cassetti

“It’s been a difficult winter for residents and for those residents with pets," he said.

"I want to make sure that pet owners are able to walk in a safely plowed area and enjoy the scenery by taking advantage of the riverwalk throughout the month of March.” 

Cassetti has worked collaboratively throughout the year with Alderman Pat Henri to help ensure that more residents and visitors use the Ansonia Riverwalk, taking advantage of the scenic beauty of the Naugatuck River, and encouraging recreational activities with their pets. 

All dog walking events will be for those with licensed dogs only. Dogs will need to be kept on a leash and cleanup is the responsibility of the pet owner. Please respect all walkers and be sure to clean up after your pet. 

 “I am a pet owner and an animal lover and I want to make sure pet owners and others in Ansonia have an opportunity to enjoy our beautiful Riverwalk. I hope to continue to see you and your pets out there," Cassetti said.

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