Commonwealth Shakespeare Holds Contest for Role of 'Crab' in THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, 5/18

Does your dog dream of a life on the stage, performing for tens of thousands of people? Does your pup have what it takes to tackle Shakespeare? Is s/he easy-going, able to take direction, and comfortable around strangers? Bring your pooch out to Bark Place on Saturday May 18th to audition with Larry Coen, playing Launce in our 2013 Free Shakespeare on the Common production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. We're looking for medium to large-sized dogs to interview with Larry to determine which barkers have that special "it" quality that we know will make a successful "Crab."

We will be auditioning dogs in half hour blocks from 11am-1pm (11am-11:30am, 11:30am-12pm, 12pm-12:30pm and 12:30pm-1pm). To reserve an audition slot for your dog, send an email to crabbiestdog@commshakes.org and indicate your first two choices for which time slot you would like.

The dogs cast in our show must be available for all technical rehearsals beginning July 1 and up to five rehearsal dates in June, TBD. The dogs cast must always have an owner or guardian present at all rehearsals and at all shows for which they are called throughout the run of the production, July 6-28. We anticipate casting multiple dogs, so no one dog will need to be present at every performance. See our website for specific dates and times and additional information. Dogs and dog owners will need to arrive a half-hour before curtain for each show.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (www.commshakes.org), best known for its annual free performances on Boston Common, is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 dedicated to bringing the works of William Shakespeare in vital and contemporary productions to the people of Boston and to educating Boston's youth not only about Shakespeare but about their own potential for creativity. In addition to the annual Boston Common productions, CSC presents a summer "Tour of the Parks" program that tours Shakespeare-inspired programming designed for families to Boston neighborhood parks. Throughout the year, CSC regularly performs as a part of First Night Boston and also presents a free series called American Voices featuring script-in-hand readings of classic American plays. CSC fulfills its educational mission through its Summer Academy with programs for both high school students and pre-professional actors and throughout the year by partnering with area high schools and Boys and Girls Clubs to provide in- and after-school theatre training to inner-city youth. Recent productions includeCoriolanus, All's Well That Ends Well (2012 Elliot Norton Award-winner for Best Production, Large Theater), Othello and The Comedy of Errors.

The Crabbiest Dog Contest is an audition for the dog "Crab" in Commonwealth Shakespeare's Company's 2013 Free Shakespeare on the Common production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, running July 6-28, 2013. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and hosted by Bark Place on May 18, 2013 from 11am-1pm at Bark Place South End, 1721 Washington Street, Boston, MA. Call (857) 362-7494 or visit www.BarkPlaceSouthEnd.com for more information. Reservations: Please send an email to crabbiestdog@commshakes.org.