The WTAMU theatre department will perform “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The play opens its doors from Feb. 9-11 and Feb. 15-18 in the Branding Iron Theatre.
Reilly Downes, a senior Musical Theatre major, will be playing role of Hyppolyta, the queen of the Amazon. Downes recommends the play for its mystical qualities.
“It will leave you questioning the idea of dream versus reality. The comedic attributes of Shakespeare’s writing bring to life out-of-this-world characters,” said Downes.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” written in 1590 by William Shakespeare, takes place in Athens in ancient Greece. The play is a light-hearted comedy about the difficulties of love.
Lysander and Demetrius are both in love with Hermia but Hermia’s heart belongs to Lysander. Helena is head-over-heels in love with Demetrius, but the love is not mutual.The dilemma becomes more confusing when Oberon, king of the fairies, commands a mischievous fairy named Puck, to make Demetrius fall in love with Helena by means of a love-potion flower.
Julia Rucker, a junior Musical Theatre major, saidthat the play is regarding love, passion, magic, and dreams.
“Hermia is in love. Who doesn’t enjoy being in love? She has the opportunity to fight for her love after Lysander is accidentally put under a spell that forces him to love her best friend Helena,” said Rucker.
According to Kyla Williams, a sophomore Theatre Performance major, audiences will be captivated by the story.
“This play is like a tapestry, there are several stories interwoven. I know audiences will be astounded when they see all of the hard work,” said Williams, who will play the role of Helena.
The rest of the cast also found their roles to be fascinating and entertaining. Samantha Green, a junior Theatre Performance major, has fun with her role of the mischievous fairy, Puck.
“There are no limits or boundaries, Puke is a trouble maker who basks in all the chaos that she creates,” said Green.
Eric Harrison also enjoys his role as Theseus, the duke of Athens.
“I really enjoy the uniqueness our director Stephen Crandall, along with all the designers, contributed to the play,” said Harrison.
Terri Henson, a Technical Theatre-Costume Design major, said she enjoyed working on the production.
“Getting the opportunity to design the wigs and make up for ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had at WT,” said Henson. “This play exhibits everything from Victorian aristocrats to wild fairies and the hilarious fierce creatures of the play within the play.”
Greene also said that the Shakespearean production was fascinating to work on.
“It embodies all the most wonderful and entertaining aspects of theatre,” said Greene. “It’s beautiful from the very beginning. The set, costumes, and characters are enchanting. Aside from the beauty, it is ‘fall out of your chair’ funny. I have no doubt the audience will leave laughing.”
The play is free to WT students, faculty and staff. Tickets cost $11 dollars for adults and $8 for senior citizens and children 12 and under.
