NORTHFIELD — In the spirit of Shakespeare, the public is invited to an informal performance of “The Winter’s Tale,” as the Valley Players bring their “Bard in the Bar” reading series to The Brewery at Four Star Farms.

Folks are invited to join the Valley Players on Friday, Dec. 13, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the brewery, located at 508 Pine Meadow Road, for an evening of beer and performance, all while benefiting a good cause. All donations collected at the event, which has free admission, will be split between Valley Players and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

“It’s a fun, informal get-together and a chance for people who love Shakespeare and theater to get up on their feet and read Shakespeare,” said Matteo Pangallo, president of the Valley Players. “It’s meant to be a fun, laid-back chance to read through [a play], have a drink and, in the process, make an appeal to raise money for Valley Players and another nonprofit or charity in the area.”

This is the second Bard in the Bar session, as Pangallo said Valley Players held its first performance at White Lion Brewing in Amherst back in May. That performance had 16 actors, whereas the session scheduled for Friday in Northfield has 20 actors.

Pangallo said the intent of Bard in the Bar is to tap into the world of Shakespeare and other playwrights at the time, who would often meet up at taverns to read each other’s work.

“It was about community building and having fun,” Pangallo said. “We’re trying to capture that sort of spirit.”

The informal aspect of the night, Pangallo said, is the key. Performers read straight from the script with no rehearsals and learn what role they’re playing the night of. Audience members are welcome to come and go as they please.

As the nights continue to get darker and colder, Pangallo said “The Winter’s Tale” is a perfect fit for a December evening, especially with the work’s themes of “credibility and belief and tyranny.”

Valley Players, a nonprofit that was incorporated in January of this year, is dedicated to producing community theater around the Pioneer Valley. The group is made up of professionally trained actors, veteran community actors and folks new to theater.

Proceeds from its ticketed shows help benefit charities and other nonprofits in the region. The organization will announce its February show and audition schedule at Friday’s Bard in the Bar session.

For more information about Valley Players, including how to join, visit its website at valleyplayers.org. For more information about The Brewery at Four Star Farms, visit fourstarbeer.com.

“No experience necessary,” Pangallo said, “just goodwill.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.