“The course of true love never did run smooth”
Audiences had a welcome escape from the everyday as they were transported to a magical forest filled with fairies and lovers during the Trinity College School production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Dick and Jane LeVan Theatre became a woodland outside of Athens each evening from November 3rd to 5th, as actors and crew staged one of the bard’s best-loved comedies.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is rooted in Greek mythology and centered on the theme of love, chronicling the hijinks leading up to the wedding of Theseus, Duke of Athens (Maggie McLean) and Hippolyta (Emily Hartleib). A troupe of actors prepares a play in celebration of the Duke’s wedding: Quince (Madeline Craig-Szilard), Bottom (Ezekiella Ezeoba), Flute (Maria Grace Moreau), Snout (Olive Gu), Snug (Sarah Egan) and Starveling (Ava Becker). The efforts of these “mechanicals” are the subject of much criticism from Philostrate (Kyra Fingas), the Duke’s “Master of Revels.”
Meanwhile, Hermia (Madison Narciso) has been forbidden by her father Egeus (Atticus Hodges) to marry Lysander (Allie Vahramian), while Helena’s (Isolde Ardies) love for Demetrius (Rachel Bannister) remains unrequited. The star-crossed lovers fall under the spell of a potion administered by the mischievous Puck (Landon Demrovsky). The potion was created by King Oberon (Gisele Caraballo Diaz) to trick his wife Titania (Valentina Conrad), Queen of the Fairies. Those who enter the forest – actors and lovers alike – find themselves subject to the whims and manipulations of the fairies, including Cobweb (Nicolas Canu), Moth (Sarah Egan) and Mustardseed (Kalea Jakic).
Over the course of nearly two hours, audiences witnessed a battle between feeling and reason, law and love, magic and reality, brought to life by a talented cast and hard-working crew, led by director and set designer Mr. Bill Walker and assistant director/stage manager Chloe Chan. Costumes were designed by Keira Lannon and lighting by Mr. Victor Svenningson ’74. Kiran Acharya served as lighting operator, while the running crew was comprised of Theresa Boehringer, Anik Simon, Angie Zhang, Jack Brumley, Vivian Rogers, Vale Calderon Kilian and Jada Johnson. Special thanks to Ms. Carol Anne Judd for the artwork used in the play poster. And to the property department (including Mr. Dale Heffernan) and culinary services team, gratitude for their continued support.
