The staff will also feature professional actors Adam Twiss as associate artistic director and Andrea Schulz Twiss as associate managing director. Hilary Russo will continue as the company's publicity and media relations director. In a statement Raleigh native, actress Kennedy said, "The wonderful thing about our staff this year is that we are all professional actors, and have all performed at one time or another in shows with Hot Summer Nights. We are very connected to this theatre and have a real desire to see it thrive."

The season will open with A. R. Gurney's Sylvia, running June 17-28 and featuring direction by Alan Campbell. The summer will also include productions of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (July 8-July 19, directed by Tito Hernandez); The Turn of the Screw (July 29-Aug. 9, directed by Adam Twiss) and Jeremy Schonfeld's new musical Drift (Sept. 12-20, directed by Lauren Kennedy).

Kennedy added, "This season we have decided to produce four shows instead of our normal six. This way we can provide a more 'recession friendly' season and keep the costs down for our sponsors and supporters."

Drift will be a special engagement at the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre at Barton College in Wilson, NC. Barton is the company's sister theatre.

All performances run Wednesday-Saturday at 8 PM; Sunday matinees are at 3 PM.

Tickets range from $22 (general admission) to $18 (senior adults or military and students with valid ID). Season tickets are $60 (not including Drift). Tickets are now on sale by calling (866) 811-4111 or by visiting www.hotsummernightsatthekennedy.org.