Conservatory Theatre Company to Present AS YOU LIKE IT, 11/7-23

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company continues its 2014-2015 season with a production of one of the most popular comedies, Shakespeare's As You Like It.

Directed by John Amplas, As You Like It runs Nov. 7-23 in the Studio Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave. Preview will be Nov. 6. Performances will be at 8 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets range from $18 to $20, and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000, or at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

A favorite among audiences, Shakespeare's pastoral comedy, which features one of the most often-quoted speeches - "All the world's a stage" - follows Rosalind as she flees her uncle's court with her cousin Celia and the court jester, Touchstone, to find safety and love in the Forest of Arden.

The Conservatory Theatre Company production features scenic design by Lindsay Mayer, costumes by Michael Montgomery, lighting by Andrew David Ostrowski, sound by Steve Shapiro and video design by Jessi Sedon-Essad. Autumn Abernathy is stage manager.

A professor with the Conservatory of Performing Arts, John Amplas teaches all levels of acting and directing. He has served as both an actor and director in countless Pittsburgh Playhouse productions dating back to 1972. He is one of the founding members of the Playhouse Repertory Company and has served as associate artistic director since 1999. A few years ago, his production of The Exonerated won the Governor's Award produced in part with the Pittsburgh Innocence Project. Last season, he directed the world premiere of Tammy Ryan's Soldier's Heart for The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company.