The Acting Company Brings HAMLET to Northridge's Valley Performing Arts Center

To paraphrase the Bard (poorly), "Something is rockin' in the state of California!" That "thing" is a unique, three-generation collaboration that brings professional actors, college students and high school drama classes together in a week-long Shakespeare immersion that culminates in a professional performance of HAMLET by the world famous Acting Company, at California State University Northridge's Valley Performing Arts Center.

Public performance will take place at 8:00 PM on October 4 and 5 and there will be two special performances for local high school students at 10:00 AM on October 2 and 3.

From September 24 to 30th, a teaching artist from The Acting Company will conduct acting classes about HAMLET at the Valley Academy, a new 1200 student Title I high school in Granada Hills. Founded in 1972 by the legendary John Houseman and current producing director Margot Harley with members of the first graduating class of Julliard's Drama Division, The Acting Company has performed 137 productions for over 3 million people in 48 states and ten foreign countries.

Noted Alumni members include Kevin Kline, Rainn Wilson, Patti LuPone, Jesse L. Martin, Frances Conroy, Jeffrey Wright, David Schramm, Harriet Harris, David Ogden Stiers, Hamish Linklater, Lisa Banes, Mary Lou Rosato and Keith David. Its celebrated Education Programs - master classes, workshops and Learning Through Theater artistic residencies - reach over 37,000 students yearly, particularly those with no other access to arts education and live performances.

HAMLET is directed by Ian Belknap and stars John Skelley in the title role. For tickets and more information, visit www.valleyperformingartscenter.org. Additional tour dates in Southern California for The Acting Company's Hamlet include a performance in Lancaster on Oct. 6 and Palm Desert on Oct. 9. For a complete tour itinerary go to http://theactingcompany.org/on-tour/.

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