NEW ULM — An area-wide youth theater group of years ago known as the Protean Players is being revived at the State Street Theater.

Replicating the goal of the former Protean Players (meaning “versatile”), Michael and Christina Koester, as the group’s advisors, hope students from high schools in New Ulm and surrounding towns, who have a passion for the performing arts, will join them in this venture.

Prior to auditions, students interested in taking part in the Protean Players should plan to attend an informational meeting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, at State Street Theater Co. Students with interest in any part of productions are welcome to join us for this meeting backstage help, orchestra musicians, costume, prop, and makeup help, actors, etc.

There are plans for the debut performance of the Protean Players to be “Into the Woods,” a musical twist on many classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales. There are a variety of roles and area high school students in grades 7-12 are encouraged to audition. First-time actors are welcome.

Auditions will take place on Wednesday, May 19, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 22, at noon at State Street Theater Co., 1 N. State Street, New Ulm. Rehearsals will take place from May through August. Performances will be held Friday, August 13, through Sunday, August 15, at the State Street Theater. Auditions will consist of a cold read from the script and singing. Students wishing to audition are asked to prepare a Broadway song and bring a copy of the sheet music. Songs should include both a verse and a chorus and should not be from “Into the Woods.”

For auditions and rehearsals, please enter the theater through door 7 in the Washington Street parking lot. Visitors are reminded not to park in the lot behind the Emerson-Union apartments. State Street Theater Co. has adopted protocols that address social distancing and other related procedures for rehearsals and productions for audiences and actors alike. The safety protocols are available online to read at www.statestreetNEWULM.org. For more information, please email info@statestreetNEWULM.org, or call 507-359-9990.

Licensing for Into the Woods is being sought from Musical Theater International and any materials used would be supplied by MTI, Inc. MTIShows.com

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

For more information, please contact Christina Koester at christina@statestreetnewulm.org.