Running June 15-July 24, the 2009 Shakespeare Lab marks the first time the program has offered its training at no cost. Barry Edelstein runs the intensive that provides professional, mid-career actors the opportunity to fine-tune their skills under the guidance of esteemed classical theatre veterans.

"For decades The Public Theater has been one of the country's foremost producers of Shakespeare and producing Shakespeare involves a lot more than simply putting on plays. Building a community of artists who can do right by Shakespeare, and nurturing that community in a sustained way, is crucial," said Shakespeare Initiative director Barry Edelstein, in a statement. "For 15 years The Shakespeare Lab has excelled at helping actors sharpen their skills. To make that excellence available tuition-free feels like the right thing to do, and can only strengthen The Public — and Shakespeare in America — in the long term."

Guest artists for the 2009 Lab include May Adrales, Christopher Bayes, Lisa Benevides, Barry Edelstein, Ian Hersey, Nancy Lemenager, Julio Monge, Robert Perillo, J. Steven White, Grace Zandarski, Janet Zarish and others to be announced.

The Shakespeare Lab culminates with a weeklong August tour of a one-hour Shakespeare performance at community venues throughout New York City.

For further information on Lab requirements and auditions, visit PublicTheaterShakespeareLab.