The Ames area is in for another eventful year from the Ames Community Theater of Recreation Services as the group gets ready to kick off its 47th season.

ACTORS has already been busy before the season even begins, though, as it helped to sponsor last weekend’s production of “The Seven Deadly Sins” by the Searching for Shakespeare group.

Lust, greed, sloth, wrath and envy were on display at Bandshell Park,125 E. 5th St., during “The Seven Deadly Sins” as about 90 people pulled up lawn chairs to watch the show. “Seven Deadly Sins” was made up of scenes out of Shakespeare’s plays, each of which demonstrated a different sin.

The sins were embodied by performers from the two local companies; “Searching for Shakespeare” and ACTORS, and was made possible by grants from the Ames Community Arts Council and ACTORS .

Lynn Lloyd, an ACTORS participant for 22 years, says the group has unique qualities for a community theater company.

“It’s all volunteer and open to anyone,” Lloyd says. “We’ve had people come from Des Moines, from Nevada, from Story City to audition.”

She says people who prefer to stay in the audience may purchase a season ticket, which will make them members eligible for ACTORS parties throughout the year.

“We also hold workshops on different aspects of theater; lighting, costuming, doing children’s shows,” Lloyd says.

Langley Neely, junior in performing arts, played Othello in “The Seven Deadly Sins.”

“I’d say ACTORS is different than the university theater that I’m used to,” Langley says. “It was nice to break away from that and do something smaller and more personal. Also it was a chance to do something during the summer. That way I won’t be rusty.”

James Phillips, director for some of the “Seven Deadly” scenes, says he enjoys the parties after the performances as well.

“It’s a chance to unwind and experience the camaraderie,” Phillips says. “They’re very people-friendly.”

Lloyd says ACTORS has been around since 1956.

“We have about four or five shows per season,” she says. “In the ’70s we built our building out on 120 Abraham Dr. in West Ames. Now we do about four of the five shows on our stage. Once a year we leave the building to do a musical on Fisher stage or the City Hall auditorium.”

Shows coming up on ACTORS schedule include musicals, a Neil Simon comedy, British dramas, more Shakespeare and children’s theater.

Tom Norris, an ACTORS participant for about seven years, has some advice for people considering becoming involved with ACTORS.

“I’d say to them come and see some shows,” he says. “Look how much fun people are having on stage and maybe that will interest them.”

More information on ACTORS and its productions is available online at http://www.ACTORSinc.org.