COEUR d'ALENE — Out of the Shadows Theater needs volunteers to help bring its inaugural production of "Beauty and the Beast Jr." to life this fall.

"There’s more to theater than actors and a script," said program founder Wendy Carroll.

Out of the Shadows Theater is a new program offered by Specialized Needs Recreation that will produce one full musical production a year with an entire cast of people with special needs. Each actor will be paired with a non-disabled shadow actor who serves as a one-on-one coach during rehearsals and accompanies the actor on stage during the performance.

Production meetings at LAM Christian Academy, 4800 N. Ramsey Road, are quickly approaching and volunteers are needed now.

"We need people who can paint, sew, organize, fundraise, build sets, make-up artists, hair dressers and wig masters, backstage crew, assistant directors and stage managers, musicians, light board operators, ushers and backstage quick-change dressers, to name just a few," Carroll said. "There are so many elements that go into a production that the audience is unaware of. Bring your talent or skill to our volunteers meeting and I’m sure we can use you."

A volunteers meeting providing an overview of the production and registration opportunity will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, a parent/guardian/caregiver meeting will be held to inform those on whom actors rely what will be expected, what the commitment is and how to help prepare their sons or daughters for the audition.

Auditions for shadow actors will be July 18 at 6:30 p.m. at LAM Christian Academy and auditions for featured actors will be at the same time and place July 20. All who have special needs are encouraged to audition for featured parts: developmental disabilities, autism, hearing and visual impairments, physical limitations and more. All are welcome.

Info: 765-2764