The Hampton Theater Company is getting ready for its 40th season of shows.

Actors in the theater company are rehearsing the play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

It was specially picked for the company's anniversary.

"It's a classic of the American stage. It's a role of a lifetime," said Andrew Botsford, an actor with the Hampton Theater Company.

For 40 years, the theater company has entertained audiences on Long Island's east end in Quogue.

"It's amazing because a lot of theater companies haven't lasted very long on Long Island," said George Loizides, the play's director.

Not only is the Hampton Theater Company celebrating 40 years in existence, the two leading actors of the play are also celebrating 40 years of acting in the community, as they are founding members of the theater company.

"Our first show was "Diary of Anne Frank," and we did it at the middle school in Westhampton Beach," said Rosemary Cline, actress and a founder of the Hampton Theater Company.

Over the years, the theater has improved on its lighting and sound design, introduced online ticket sales and assigned seating and has a scholarship program.

"That goes to high school seniors that are graduating and study performing arts, can be music, can be theater, whatever, but they're going to be studying that in college," said Botsford.

Opening night of the 40th anniversary play is Thursday May 22, and it runs until June 8.

"We're excited to open it, we're excited for the audience to see it," said Loizides.

Click here for tickets: https://www.hamptontheatre.org/