The College of the Canyons theatre department will hold auditions for its second spring semester production — Aristophanes’ classic anti-war comedy “Lysistrata”— in search of more than 30 actors aged 15 to 60 to round out the large ensemble cast.

A bawdy, sexy political comedy that glorifies the power of fertility in the face of destruction, “Lysistrata” takes place in Athena during the 20th year of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta.

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The play follows a group of angry, fed up Athenian women who barricade themselves in the Acropolis and go on a sex strike in hopes of forcing their husbands into a peace treaty with warring Sparta.

“This production will be a terrific large scale comedy that actors of all ages and experience levels will have collaborating on,” said Paul Wickline, COC theatre department chair. “A timeless classic like ‘Lysistrata’ is the perfect way to conclude the spring theatre season.”

Preliminary auditions for “Lysistrata” will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, and Wednesday, March 23.

Actors are asked to audition with a 60 to 90 second comedic monologue or song. If singing, actors should prepare to perform acapella (no musical accompaniment) and remember that the time limit will be observed.

While all actors are encouraged to carefully prepare a monologue or song, a selected piece will be available for actors who do not have a prepared monologue. Actors without a prepared monologue should not hesitate to audition.

Callback auditions will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 24. All auditions and callbacks will be held in Student Center, Room 130 (STCN-130) located on the college’s Valencia campus.

Actors who are cast in either production will be expected to enroll in the course Theatre 190: Theatre Production for the spring 2011 semester.

For more information about the audition process, or to view a breakdown of available roles and a tentative performance schedule please contact Paul Wickline at paul.wickline@canyons.edu or visit www.canyons.edu/departments/theatre and click on “upcoming productions.”