In 2009, the Public offered the intensive at no cost to its participants. The 2010 program will follow suit. 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. The Shakespeare Lab will run June 7-Aug. 8. Admittance is by audition only.

Edelstein said in a statement, "The Shakespeare Lab continues to be one of the most exciting engines for artistic development at The Public Theater. Its success at expanding the community of American artists who can do right by Shakespeare is no small part of the Public's prominence as one of the country's foremost producers of Shakespeare. That the Lab remains tuition-free means that access to this excellent training will be, like all the Public's work, truly open to all."

Lab workshops will be lead by Edelstein, Christopher Bayes, Lisa Benevides, Robert Perillo, J. Steven White, Grace Zandarski, Janet Zarish, as well as a rotating host of guest artists.

At the end of the intensive, the Lab company will tour a one-hour performance of Shakespeare to community venues throughout New York City July 31 through Aug. 8.

All applications must be post-marked by Jan. 29. Auditions for the Shakespeare Lab will take place in mid-February. For further information on the Shakespeare Lab and to apply, visit PublicTheater, or phone the Shakespeare Lab hotline at (212) 539-8525.