Livermore Shakespeare Festival Awards First Peggy Riley Apprentice Award

Livermore – Livermore Shakespeare Festival artists commenced the 13th Shakespeare in the Vineyard season on June 2nd with the First Read of this season’s production of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, adapted for the stage by Jon Jory. The professional cast brought the play to life at the company’s first table read of the play in its entirety. After the First Read, Lisa A. Tromovitch — Producing Artist Director and this season’s As You Like It Director — awarded the first Peggy Riley Apprentice Award to Amy Billroth-MacLurg. Peggy Riley, Shakespeare’s Associates’ late dramaturge was a major supporter of the apprentice program, which brings in top theater arts students from universities all over the country. The first recipient of this prestigious distinction, Billroth-MacLurg, played Charlotte in Livermore Shakespeare Festival’s Pride and Prejudice last year. She is a recent graduate of the University of Portland and has also appeared at Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre, and Balgan Theatre in Seattle. This year, the 2015 Peggy Riley Apprentice can be seen playing Lucy Steele in Sense and Sensibility and Audrey in As You Like It. Sense and Sensibility also features Lindsey Marie Schmeltzer as Marianne Dashwood, Ryan Tasker as Colonel Brandon, and Robyn Grahn as Elinor Dashwood. Under the direction of Jennifer Le Blanc, Livermore Shakes’ Sense and Sensibility at Wente Vineyards Estate Winery and Tasting Room marries Livermore’s rich culture and award-winning food and wine.

As You Like It and Sense and Sensibility will be performed on the grounds of Wente Vineyards Estate Winery & Tasting room at 5565 Tesla Road in Livermore. For dates and detailed information visit LivermoreShakes.org. Tickets range from $25 to $50 and are day-dependent, with discounts for seniors, students and educators. Family Nights, sponsored by The Clorox Company Foundation, will be held on Thursday, July 2nd (Sense and Sensibility) and Thursday, July 16th (As You Like It) with $5 youth tickets (under 18). For tickets call (925) 443-BARD or visit www.LivermoreShakes.org.