A preliminary casting call for an upcoming production of the Douglas Centre Summer Theatre to do a play from "Jake and the Kid" by Weyburn native author W.O. Mitchell will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 26 and 27.

Discussion on performing one of the works of W.O. Mitchell began last year with a visit to Weyburn by Mitchell's son and daughter-in-law, Orm and Barb Mitchell. The plan is to perform, "Prairie Seasons - Jake and the Kid", which will be adapted from the book by Mitchell.

His famed "Jake and the Kid" series ran originally as a radio serial on CBC Radio. The stories were based in Crocus, Saskatchewan, a fictionalized version of Weyburn where Mitchell was born and grew up.

The preliminary casting call is for all aspects of the play's production, including actors, carpenters, costumers, designers, production staff, stage crew and sponsors.

For actors, there is a need for three men aged 40-60, one woman aged 30-40, and a child aged between 12-15. As significant focus and time commitment will be necessary, only those prepared to make a serious commitment will be considered for roles in this production.

Rehearsals will begin on June 19, and previews will begin Aug. 7, with the performances to take place during the Weyburn Wheat Festival, on the weekend of Aug. 9-12.

The play is to be directed by John Nolan, the artistic director of Phantom Poets, and will be produced in association with the Tommy Douglas Centre, Signal Hill Arts Centre and the Weyburn Wheat Festival.

For more information about the casting call or the production, contact John Nolan in Weyburn.