BENNINGTON -- The Oldcastle Theatre Company and Oldcastle’s Actors’ Express will hold local auditions for both Equity and non-Equity actors for the 2013 season Today, Feb. 16 at its new home 331 Main St. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Bennington

There are good roles open in several of Oldcastle’s planned productions including "Around the World in 80 Days", an adaptation of the Jules Verne classic. "A Strange Disappearance of Bees," a new play that Oldcastle did a reading of a couple of years ago. The play concerns a Vietnam Vet, his Amerasian son, a baffled bee keeper and romance and intrigue. "Other People’s Money" is Jerry Sterner’s play about a Wall St. tycoon who attempts to purchase a New England factory in order to make a killing by killing it and hundreds of jobs. "The Fox on the Fairway," a Ken Ludwig farce, the premiere of "Sherlock Holmes: Knight’s Gambit." and only the second production of "Grandma Moses: American Primitive."

Most, but not all, of the roles in these productions must, by union contract, be filled by members of Acors’ Equity Association, the stage actors’ union. There will be non-Equity roles in the Actors’ Express productions, both those that will tour schools and those that will be presented on Saturday mornings at the new theatre. The following week auditions will be held in New York City.

"It is always our intention to hire as many local and regional actors as possible," according to Eric Peterson, Oldcastle’s Producing Artistic Director. "We hope for a god turnout of actors from throughout the region, southern Vermont, New York’s Capital District and the Berkshires. There are currently roles open for most age ranges from 20s to 70s."

In addition, the Actors’ Express will be hiring actors for several productions. Young actors with musical ability are avidly being sought for Oldcastle’s non-Equity company.

This is both a fun way to participate in theatre and a good training ground for those who are interested in an acting career.

Actors are asked to prepare two contrasting monologues. For further information, please call the theatreat 802-447-0564 or visit Oldcastle’s website at www.oldcastletheatre.org.