BELFAST — Do you like classical theater? If you do, or think you might, read on!, according to a news release.

Before O'Neill or Pinter, Ibsen, Marlowe — or even Shakespeare — there were the Greeks. If you want to be a serious trumpet player, you need to understand the keyboard. To be a serious singer of country or rap, you need to understand opera. And if you want to be a serious actor on stage, screen, or film, you need to understand the basic of theater — and that's the Greeks.

This year, for the first time, Belfast Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with Friends of Belfast Parks and other private donors, are launching a pilot program of “Classics on the Common” in the city amphitheater, on the Common between Pearl and Miller streets, right at the end of Cross Street.

Classics are more than just Shakespeare or the Greeks; they are also modern day classics, such as Our Town, A Streetcar Named Desire, and The Crucible. This year, a full production of Euripides's tragedy, Medea will be presented. 

If you would like to part of this production, under the direction of Aynne Ames, come to a read-through and see if you might be interested in participating.

“Don't worry about a lack of experience or training; folks willing to learn, work hard, follow direction, and work in collaboration with others are what we're looking for,” said Belfast Parks and Recreation, in a news release. “In addition to performers, we also need technicians for the lighting, set movers (they only go across the street) for the simple sets, ticket sellers, set painters, program or poster designers...all are wanted and welcomed.”

Come to a no-obligation read-through on June 10, at 6 p.m., at the First Baptist Church, 95 High St, in Belfast. The reading will last about two hours.

No need to sign up for anything, just listen or participate in the reading.

For more information, email aynneames@gmail.com.

The production will take place in the amphitheater on July 26 and 27 (rain date on the 28) and August 2 and 3 (rain date on the 4th,) in the early evenings.