The Merced Shakespearefest will be holding auditions for their summer production of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” on June 18.

The auditions will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, at 645 W. Main Street in downtown Merced.

At least 18 actors and actresses are needed.

There will be cold reading of scenes, a prepared Shakespearian monologue is welcome, but not mandatory.

“Love’s Labour’s Lost” is a lively story about four young men who swear to study and to abstain from women. Of course, four young women and other comical characters appear, there is a mix-up of love letters, an amateur theater production, and a bitter-sweet ending.

The show will be directed by Colton Dennis, Merced County Arts Council’s new executive director, who plans to set the play into the 1930s, with music of the era, and the feeling of “The Great Gatsby.”

Performances will be outdoors in September.

For more information call 723-3265, go on Facebook or www.mercedshakespearefest.org