Briefs

ESL for visiting scholars:A noncredit course will be offered at Cornell for visiting scholars and others who seek improvement in any basic English-language skills, particularly speaking and listening comprehension. All language-learning activities will be oriented toward what will be most useful to the scholars during their stay here. Practice in speaking and pronunciation will include formal presentations and individual help with pronunciation problems. In addition to the weekly classes, field trips are regularly scheduled to provide opportunities for discussion with native English speakers and insight into American culture and history. Classes will be held Monday evenings, 5-7 p.m., beginning Jan. 26 and ending May 10. The program fee is $450.

For further information, contact:Donna Colunio, School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, Cornell University, B20 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-2801; phone 255-7259; e-mail cusp@cornell.edu; or visit this Web site:http://www.sce.cornell.edu/exec.

Community auditions Sunday:The Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts is welcoming community adults and children to audition for its upcoming production of The Grapes of Wrath. Adapted by Frank Galati from the novel by John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath is also a prize-winning motion picture. This moving play is the timeless story of the Joad family's battle against Depression-era society and the strength they find in the indomitable human spirit. This play adaptation has won numerous Tony awards.

Auditions for members of the Ithaca community will be held Sunday, Jan. 18. Children will audition 1-3 p.m. and adults 3-5 p.m. To schedule an audition time, contact Pam Lillard at 254-2703 or psl1@cornell.edu. Director Bruce Levitt is looking for four or five children, including the parts of Ruthie (age 12) and Winfield (age 10). For the auditions the children can prepare a song, joke, story or read from the script. Parts are also available for two mature character actors to play Grandma and Grandpa Joad, as well as double in other mature roles. For auditions, the adults should prepare a one- to two-minute monologue and will be asked to read from the script. Script excerpts will be provided for both adult and children auditions and are currently available at the second floor reception desk in the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. The Grapes of Wrath is a large ensemble piece requiring 30 actors and four musicians. Rehearsals will begin March 8 and performances will be held April 29-May 1 and May 5-8.