Head to Sage room 142 at 5 p.m. today for this year’s annual theatre and dance department picnic.

Following the picnic, at 7 p.m., auditions will be held for this fall’s plays: “Silent Sky” written by Lauren Gunderson which will be performed in October and “Ajax” by Sophocles showing in November.

“The purpose is to just inform students about theater and dance, mostly theater, opportunities over the course of the year, introduce faculty, and just educate them about how they can be involved if they’re interested,” said Chris Matsos, chair of the department of theatre and dance.

An auditions time slot sign-up sheet will be on the door outside of room 142 or, if preferred, Matsos said a direct message to the theatre instagram account “@hc.theatre” can reserve a spot. Reading through the scripts ahead of time is the best preparation for those interested in auditioning, he said.

Matsos said the first play of the fall semester, “Silent Sky” is about the discoveries and faith journey of Henrietta Leavitt, an early 20th century astronomer.

November’s play “Ajax,” is an ancient Greek tragedy and is very powerful, he said.

Auditioning is not a prerequisite to attending the picnic, Matsos said. He encourages anyone with even a mild interest to come get pizza.

“A lot of students who have had very successful contributions to the theatre department and Tower Players over the years were people that just wandered in to eat pizza one night as a freshman, and then it started to get involved,” Matsos said. “We think it’s just a great way to begin the year.”

Emily Griffith, a senior theater major, said she went to the picnic as a freshman and now is helping run it.

“It is a great community, whether you are on stage, backstage, up in the sound booth,” Griffith said. “I highly recommend that students, especially freshmen, come even if they aren’t necessarily interested in auditioning, because you will meet some of the most warm and outgoing people. It is a great way to meet new friends.”