The Acting Company of America, a touring troupe founded 25 years ago by John Houseman and the graduating class of Juilliard, opens its new season with Shakespeare’s As You Like it, running off-Broadway at St. Clement’s Theatre, May 29- June 4.

International director Liviu Ciulei will lead the Company’s 1997 Touring Ensemble, including William Hulings, Marc Damon, Felicity Jones, Kevin James Kelly, Kevin Orton, Mary F. Randle, Heather Robison and Drew Richardson in Shakespeare’s country comedy.

Ciulei was the Artistic Director of Romania’s leading repertory company, the Bulandra Theatre from 1963-1972. In 1965 he was awarded Best Direction at the Cannes Film Festival for The Forest of the Hanged. He made his American directorial debut with Leonce and Lenain 1974 at Washington DC’s Arena Stage, where he went on to direct The Lower Depths, Hamlet, Don Juan, Emigres and Six Characters in Search of an Author. Ciulei has directed opera at the Royal Opera in Amsterdam, the Welsh National Opera, and at the Maggio Musicale Festival in Florence. From 1980-1986, Ciulei was the Artistic Director of the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. His numerous film and theatre productions have earned him the Karlvoy Vary Film Festival Grand Prize, DC’s Helen Hayes Awards, and others.

The Acting Company was founded in 1972 by John Houseman, best known for his work with Orson Welles and as Professor Kingsfield on TV's "The Paper Chase." Houseman, and that year's acting class at Juilliard, went formed the Company to tour the country, bringing the classics to audiences who didn't necessarily have access to that kind of theatre. Acting Company alumni include Lisa Banes, Frances Conroy, Gerald Gutierrez, Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Mary Lou Rosato, David Ogden Stiers and Jeffrey Wright.

Previews for As You Like it started May 28. The production will play May 29 - June 4. The rest of the season has not yet been announced. For tickets or more information: (212) 279-4200.

----By By Honey Freilich