One of William Shakespeare's best-loved and most popular comedies, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will continue the 2008-09 Clarion University Theatre season with performances Nov. 19-23.
Performances are scheduled at 8 p.m., Nov. 19-22 in Marwick-Boyd Little Theatre with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23. Tickets are $12, $9 for children six and under, and $6 for Clarion students with a valid student ID. For tickets contact (814) 393-ARTS.
"This play is from the middle period of Shakespeare's writing," said Rob Bullington, associate professor of theatre and director of the play. "Shakespeare was still developing his craft. Although there is more sublime poetry in the later plays, "A Midsummer's Night Dream" is really story driven with a very simple plot, some of which is magical to us, and easy to follow."
The comedy follows three parallel plot lines: Theseus, who is ready for his wedding day; the craftsmen putting together a play to be presented at the wedding; and four young lovers including Hermia, who doesn't want to marry the man chosen for her by her father. All of them become involved with fairies.
"The population of the post medieval period had a different idea of the way things fit together, with a chain of beings existing above man, which included the fairy kingdom," said Bullington. "People then believed in fairies, much like some people today believe in ghosts. Fairies were elemental and watched over nature. Shakespeare has them controlling nature and controlling and influencing humans."
An effort is being made to blur the distinction between the stage and the audience for this play. The Little Theatre has been left in its summer set-up with seating on three sides of the stage, one without much scenery as it would have been in Shakespeare's time.
"In Elizabethan times, plays were performed in the daylight in the open," said Bullington. "The audience was never allowed to forget that they were there. We will be lighting the audience during our performances to create a feeling of community."
A concession to modern technology is being made by sound designer Zac Edwards. He is taking some tracks from a Felix Mendelssohn ballet and altering them electronically to bring it into today's world.
The original play was set in Athens, Greece, but Greek looking costumes are not planned. The designers are preferring to imply that it is not our time, but it is not a specific historical era.
Since arriving at Clarion University, Bullington has directed a Shakespeare production every other year. This is the first of Shakespeare's popular comedies that he has directed for Clarion.
"We have examined Shakespeare's darker side previously," said Bullington. "This play is pure fun and a celebration of life."
The cast includes:
Ryan Jackson as Puck/Philostrate. Jackson, a junior theatre major, is a son of Lisa Jackson of Ambridge and is a graduate of Moon High School.
Connor Mrozowski as Oberon/Theseus. Mrozowski, a sophomore theatre major, is a son of John Mrozowski of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Winchester Thurston High School.
Tara Haupt at Titania/Hippolyta. Haupt, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of Chris and Sheri Haupt of Bellefonte and is a graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School.
Shernee Bellamy as Hermia. Bellamy, a junior theatre major, is a daughter of Jessica Bellamy of Erie and is a graduate of Central High School.
Amy Sikora as Helena. Sikora, a junior secondary education/earth and science major with a minor in theatre, is a daughter of Barb Sikora of Coraopolis and is a graduate of Montour High School.
Mike Jaworkski as Demetrius. Jaworski, a freshman theatre major, is a son of Stephen Jaworski of New Bethlehem and is a graduate of Redbank Valley High School.
Jordan Cyphert as Lysander. Cyphert, a sophomore musical theatre major, is a daughter of Jeffrey and Roberta Cyphert of Leeper and is a graduate of North Clarion High School.
Ben Rowan as First Fairy. Rowan, a senior music education major, is a son of Ken and Joan Rowan of Brookville and is a graduate of Brookville High School.
Tiffany Williams as Cobweb. Williams, a senior double major in mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies and theatre, a daughter of Terry Barnishin of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Penn Hills High School.
Erin Thompson as Mustardseed. Thompson, a sophomore theatre major, is a daughter of Steve and Maureen Thompson of Canonsburg and is a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School.
Victor Aponte as Moth. Aponte, a sophomore theatre major, is a son of Luz Aponte of Erie and is a graduate of McDowell High School.
Rachelle Rybicki as Peaseblossom. Rybicki, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of Gwenneth Rybicki of Leechburg, and is a graduate of Leechburg High School.
Dr. Ralph Leary, professor of English at Clarion University, as Peter Quince.
Tyler Cramer as Nick Bottom. Cramer, a senior theatre major, is a son of Billie Cramer of Reynoldsville and is a graduate of DuBois Area High School.
Dr. Todd Pfannestiel, professor of history at Clarion University, as Egeus/Snug. Pfannestiel is also a Clarion University student seeking an undergraduate degree in theatre.
Lindsay Pignor as Tom Snout. Pingor, a senior elementary education/musical theatre major, is a daughter of Darryl and Wendy Pingor of Delmont and is a graduate of Franklin Regional High School.
Kate Quigley as Robin Starveling. Quigley, a sophomore theatre major, is a daughter of Susan Quigley of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of North Allegheny High School.
Adam Huff as Francis Flute. Huff, a junior theatre major, is a son of Roger and Marian Huff of North Huntingdon and is a graduate of Greensburg Central Catholic High School.
The understudies are Jamie Richard, Joe Vaiana, Kendra Stewart, and Cassie Banaszek.
Richard, a junior mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies major, is a son of Randall and Gloria Richard of Reading and is a graduate of Exeter Township High School.
Vaiana, a sophomore marketing major, is a son of James Vaiana of Bellefonte and is a graduate of Bellefonte High School.
Stewart, a freshman musical theatre major, is a daughter of Keith and Cathy Stewart of Conway and is a graduate of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School.
Banaszek, a senior theatre major, is a grand daughter of Henry Banzaszek of Wilkes-Barre and is a graduate of James Coughlin High School.
The technical side of the production includes:
Scenic design by Edward Powers, associate professor of theatre at Clarion University.
Assistant scenic designer, Ben Geibel. Geibel, a junior theatre major, is a son of Deborah Weber of Jacksoncenter and is a graduate of Lakeview High School.
Stage manager Nathan Matt. Matt, a senior theatre major, is a son of Becca Arabia of Lower Burrell and is a graduate of Highlands High School.
Assistant stage managers, Heather Dalby and Jeffery Allen.
Dalby, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of Raymond and Mary Dalby of Oakdale and is a graduate of West Allegheny High School.
Allen, a junior theatre major, is a son of Mike and Joyce Allen of Greenville and is a graduate of Greenville High School.
Costume design, Elizabeth McNamara. McNamara, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of James McNamara of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Carlynton High School.
Lighting Design, Elizabeth Fisher. Fisher, a junior theatre major, is a daughter of Mary Jo Fisher of Plum and is a graduate of Norwin High School.
Properties, Nick Bigatel. Bigatel, a freshman theatre major, is a son of Tom and Donna Bigatel of Glenshaw and is a graduate of Hampton High School.
Sound design, Zac Edwards. Edwards, a senior elective studies in business major, is a son of Kenneth Edwards of New Kensington and is a graduate of Burrell High School.
Dramaturg, Joe Pettine. Pettine, a senior secondary education/English major is from Quakertown and is a graduate of Abington High School.
Closing out the Fall 2008 semester is the Clarion University Theatre Dance Concert, Dec. 4-5, Marwick-Boyd Auditorium, 8 p.m.
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