THEATER : Town and Gown Productions : Troupe is flourishing in Santa Clarita, with many of its members CalArts students or graduates. Coming to the stage is ‘As You Like It.’

About six years ago, a group of CalArts graduates decided to form a Santa Clarita theater company so they could produce creative works in a community they had come to know well.

The Santa Clarita Repertory Theatre first performed at benefits, area schools and community events as the group tried to establish itself. Since presenting a Western version of “Taming of the Shrew” in the summer of 1990, the troupe has consistently produced summer Shakespeare festivals and other performances throughout the community.

Most of the original members of the community theater troupe have moved on, but founding member and current producing artistic director David Stears is still a driving force behind the 25-member company. Besides serving as manager, fund-raiser and public-relations contact, Stears has helped establish educational programs in area schools and acting workshops for adults. Finding a permanent theater space is another goal.

“I’m really proud that this continues to grow and grow in a positive manner--reaching more people and more students,” said Stears. “It is like planting a seed, and now the seedling has popped up through the ground.”

The company, which is still composed mainly of students and graduates of the Valencia school, has just formed the Apprentice Company to work with area high school students. The students are involved in many aspects of the upcoming performance of “As You Like It,” including playing extras in a fight scene. The seven apprentices also will put on their own production in September at an arts-and-crafts fair.

Directing the Shakespeare play is Ferdinand Lewis, a CalArts graduate and faculty member, who also is co-artistic director of Ghost Road Company, a Los Angeles theater group. He said the Repertory Theatre is a natural outgrowth of the renowned art school.

“This community is fortunate to have a place as weird as CalArts. It makes this community interesting. This company is a part of that,” said Lewis, who teaches a class on Shakespeare at CalArts.

In directing “As You Like It,” the company’s 25th production, Lewis focuses on making sure the actors understand Shakespeare’s words.

“What most of the rehearsals are about is making the text clear. When the text is clear, everything else will fall into place,” Lewis said. The emphasis is on the story, not special effects.

“The point is the words, and the words are wonderful.”

Actors in the play said the opportunity to explore Shakespeare and put their talents to work make the repertory production an ideal experience.

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Lisa Hyman plays Rosalind, a character who disguises herself as a man during half of the play. “She’s playing a man talking to the man she’s in love with, so it’s hard to figure out who’s talking,” Hyman said.

“The passion just takes over--they don’t think about it,” Hyman said. “The play explores every aspect of love--love of the earth, love between man and woman, love between friends.”

Dean Lemont is Orlando, the object of Rosalind’s affection. “He’s a quintessential innocent, but he’s not even aware that he’s so good. He’s admirable, a character you’d want people to be like. If everybody was like Orlando, the world would be a better place. He’s Shakespeare’s Forrest Gump in a way,” Lemont said.

Hyman said the company’s performances are accessible and a needed arts addition to the community.

“It’s free, in the park and provides more of an opportunity for families who wouldn’t normally go down to L.A. to see a play,” Hyman said.

Alina Phelan, who plays Celia, said people should bring their children, a picnic dinner and enjoy the production outdoors as Shakespeare’s work was originally presented.

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WHERE AND WHEN

What: “As You Like It” performed by the Santa Clarita Repertory Theatre.

Locations: 5:30 p.m. Saturday and July 22 in Valencia Glen Park, 23750 Via Gavola, Valencia; 5:30 p.m. July 29 in Santa Clarita Park, 27285 Seco Canyon Road, Saugus.

Price: Free.

Call: (805) 266-7170.