Stevens’ theatre community in collaboration with the DeBaun Performing Arts Center’s (PAC) presented a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream this past weekend. For multiple years, DeBaun PAC has been doing annual Shakespeare projects at the beginning of each spring semester. Director and Music Program Coordinator Dr. Bethany Reeves explains that “student interest is a driving force, and my own background includes over a decade of professional theatre work primarily focused on Shakespeare. We chose Midsummer for our re-entry into live production because it is such a joyous show and because it offers so many fun role opportunities. It’s very much an ensemble piece.”
Written by William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a play set in Athens, consisting of multiple subplots which center around the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, played by Sean Willemann, and Hippolyta, his fiancée turned bride and former Queen of the Amazons, played by Trinity Lundemo.
One of the subplots revolves around a conflict between four Athenian lovers, Hermia, played by Kiera Kennedy, Lysander, played by Aidan Racaniello, Demetrius, played by Luke Magette, and Helena, played by Julia Wierzbicki. Egeus, a nobleman and Hermia’s father, is played by Derek van Rouendal.
Wierzbicki explains that “this is definitely one of the more rigorous and engaging plays I’ve been in. Usually it’s the musicals that require a lot of physical movement, dancing, etc. But ‘Midsummer’ had me running across the stage, grabbing onto fellow actors. They even suspended Kiera (Hermia) in the air at one point! I’ve never been in a play that was that involved physically. I also had a ton of fun working with the language. I had quite a few lengthy monologues where I really got to focus on the words and delve into the meaning behind them. It was a ton of fun and something I really hope I get to do more in future Shakespeare productions.”
Additionally, another subplot concerns six up-and-coming actors rehearsing a play that they will perform for the wedding. The cast of the play, also known as the Working Folk of Athens, includes Peter Quince, played by Liz Bottoni, Nick Bottom, played by Alex Markoulis, Francis Flute, played by Corey Batchelder, Robin Starveling, played by Eleni Rotsides, Tom Snout, played by Samantha Weckesser, and Snug, played by Micaela Cardile.
The characters end up within a forest filled with fairies who continuously trick the humans, interfere with their lives, and are intrigued by watching how their lives play out. The Fairy Kingdom is comprised as follows: Titania, the Queen, played by Eleanor Katsman, Oberon, the King, played by Derek Petti, and Puck, Oberon’s chief servant, played by Cameron Clifford. The kingdom also holds attendants, Peaseblossom, played by Eden Mah, Cobweb, played by Micaela Cardile, Moth, played by Stella Corovessis, Mustardseed, played by Trinity Lundemo, and attendants on Oberon, played by Sean Willemann and Derek van Rouendal.
As the director of Midsummer, Reeves expressed that she is proud of the cast and production team, especially with the COVID-driven halt to the start of an in-person spring semester. The cast and crew put up Midsummer very fast, as they lost nearly two of their four in-person weeks, which was a “significant challenge” for everyone involved. Reeves explained that “as rigorous textwork is extremely important for Shakespeare, the first two weeks being largely limited to Zoom certainly weren’t a loss. Still, stage actors need time on the stage, and builders, designers and tech crew need time in the theatre too. We all faced quite a challenge in that regard, and I am truly wowed at how well everyone rose to meet it.”
When asked about her favorite part with playing Helena and conveying the story, Wierzbicki explained how the part forced her to get out of her comfort zone. “She has quite a bit of spunk to her, so I really enjoyed going crazy with the monologues and the physicality. I also really enjoyed the moments where I pulled back and got to deliver some real words about love and longing.” She then explains how her favorite line is when Helena calls Demetrius her world and says, “Then, how can it be said I am alone. When all the world is here to look on me?” Helena has some crazy moments, but her real, vulnerable lines are what make her likable and even relatable to Wierzbicki, who claims that it was really fun getting to portray that balancing act.
The next events that the Stevens community can expect from DeBaun PAC include the Honors Voice Recital on March 4, followed by various concerts by the large ensembles (Choir, Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band) later in the spring. The next theatre activities are in their planning stages. If all goes as planned, they will be re-kindling their summer theatre season, including an acting workshop and production of a modern play. Their summer season has gone dark for the past two years due to COVID.
The next theatre production taking place at DeBaun will be the student-run Stevens Dramatic Society’s spring musical, “She Loves Me.”
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