This winter Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival powers up a free monthly performance series of Shakespeare's plays for actors and enthusiasts. Shakespeare Unplugged will present informal readings of a classic play each month, December-March, in the intimate atmosphere of the artsMall Theatre in the Winter Park Mall. OSF Artistic Director Jim Helsinger has selected a banquet of Italian classics for the 1995-1996 inaugural season which include THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, CORIOLANUS, and TITUS ANDRONICUS, directed by Helsinger, Alan Bruun, and Lester Malizia, respectively. The director for the fouth presentation, ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, will be named at a later date.

Helsinger's brainchild, Shakespeare Unplugged will present the entire canon of Shakespeare's plays over the course of several seasons. "Unplugged will give enthusiasts the unique experience of hearing all of Shakespeare's plays, particularly those not frequently produced, such as TITUS ANDRONICUS and CORIOLANUS. Additionally, we will spread out casting to give many actors in the Central Florida area a chance to hone their craft and to be seen by area directors." All performances start at 7 p.m., and are free. Patrons may wish to arrive early as seating is limited. If you would like to get to know the Bard informally, tune in to Shakespeare Unplugged.

ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, Monday, February 19, 7 p.m., artsMall Theatre, director to be announced.

TITUS ANDRONICUS, Monday, March 11, 7 p.m., artsMall Theatre, directed by Lester Malizia (General Manager, Seaside Music Theater).