"Arts and Culture for Dummies" is sold out. The new monthly series that takes a lucky few behind the scenes at the arts, along with a little mingle and nosh, turned out to be a hot ticket.

Enjoy the Arts/START, which masterminds the series, is putting together a second series for summer, and guess what: It's already filling. To sign up for the next round of everything you ever wanted to know about A&C, running July through December, call 621-4700.

Internships open up

Maybe the best news for local actors in this new year is that, with the one-year hiatus of its partnership with Ohio University's MFA acting program, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is offering full-time acting internships for the 2004-05 season.

The commitment is from August to June 2005, and interns will perform in regionally touring plays for young people, roles in A Christmas Carol, understudy assignments for main stage productions and the opportunity for main stage roles (no guarantees). Interns also serve on running crews.

There will be an intern showcase at the end of the season, and in some past seasons Playhouse has organized a New York showcase. Recent graduates of an MFA training program are preferred. A stipend is offered, as well as classes and points toward an Equity Membership Candidate program.

Playhouse producing artistic director Ed Stern notes that Playhouse "may eventually expand to include more than Ohio University - there's the potential. ..."

Interested? Submit head shot, resume and two letters of recommendation to: Bert Goldstein, Director of Education, Cincinnati Playhouse, P.O. Box 6537, Cincinnati 45206, by Feb. 15. No calls.

Scholarship auditions

Freshman, sophomore and junior performing arts majors still have the opportunity to audition for ACT-Cincinnati's annual college scholarships.

Auditions will be 1:30-5 p.m. Saturday at Northern Kentucky University's Fine Arts Center (Room 220). Students will have up to five minutes to present two pieces. An accompanist will be provided.

To schedule an audition, contact Dee Anne Bryll at 321-0764 or e-mail bryllcohen@zoomtown.com.

E-mail jdemaline@enquirer.com