The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, known for creating an unforgettable summer experience, is possible in part because of the atmosphere created by more than 200 volunteers that work to ensure that the audience’s experience surpasses expectations year after year.

Volunteer applications are now available online at www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com for this year’s Festival, taking the stage July 10 – Aug. 17. Bringing a new in-house directorial and artistic team, a new stage design, two thrilling Shakespeare performances, and a new musical production, this landmark season offers an opportunity for volunteers to have behind the scenes access to what has become Lake Tahoe’s most popular summer event.

“Due to the incredible support and dedication of our volunteers we have made our summer season a premier event in the region and are able to continue to enhance our offerings each year and grow the Festival to provide a better overall experience to our guests,” said Catherine Atack, executive director for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. “Our volunteers are charged with creating the ideal environment for our audience from the moment they step into Shakespeare’s Kitchen to the second they exit the gate after seeing the show, and they do a phenomenal job for us.”

The 36th annual production is seeking volunteers to fill the following positions: • Amphitheatre host
• VIP host
• Chair booth assistant
• Greeters; merchandise sales assistant
• Office crew
• Set-up work crew
• Ticket takers and ushers
• Clean-up crew
• Young Shakespeare assistants

The volunteer staff members are offered many benefits including earning free Festival tickets, souvenir Festival merchandise and inclusion in the annual program, all while supporting the arts.

This season the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival alternates Shakespeare’s gleefully wicked tale of Richard III with the impishly interfering immortals of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Then on Monday nights a new romantic musical titled CAMBIO, based on Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, takes center stage.

Tickets to the 2008 Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival are proving to be the hottest summer tickets in the region with many Festival enthusiasts purchasing tickets earlier than usual. Tickets are available now at www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com with reduced handling fees for all online purchases, or by calling 888-32-SHOWS (888-327-4697). Tickets start at $22 for open seating tiers and range in options up to the premier reserved seating section from $67. Information about the 2008 season, membership, volunteer opportunities and sponsorships is available online.

A Non-Profit
The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established for the cultural benefit and enjoyment of all residents and visitors to Lake Tahoe and Reno. Annually drawing more than 30,000 attendees from across the country to the specially built Warren Edward Trepp Stage along the north shore of Lake Tahoe, the Festival is a regional advocate for producing the finest cultural events in the region. Through its in-house artistic direction, the Festival produces three plays each summer, creating original costuming, set design and choreography, and attracting a team of national and international stage talent. The Festival’s community outreach includes and annual program, InterACT, designed to educate future generations on the importance of the arts, theatre and music.