The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. The classic comedy will feature American Players Theatre Core Company member Tim Gittings as Nick Bottom.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19-22 and 2 p.m. Nov. 23. A special matinee will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 19. All performances will take place in the Center for the Arts-Theatre on the UW-Platteville campus.
One of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, the play follows Hermia and Lysander as they flee into the forest to avoid Hermia’s arranged marriage to Demetrius. Their plan is revealed by Hermia’s friend Helena, who happens to be in love with Demetrius, prompting him to pursue them. Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors led by Nick Bottom rehearses a play in the same forest in honor of the Duke’s upcoming wedding. In the fairy world, King Oberon and Queen Titania are fighting, leading Oberon to enlist Puck, also known as Robin Goodfellow, to cause some magical mischief for the queen and the mortals.
“Our version of ‘Midsummer’ sets up the contrast between the Athenian world, which is a patriarchal society of exclusion and oppression, and the fairy world, which is a place of inclusion and free expression,” said Ann Dillon Farrelly, the play’s director. “The stakes of this play are very high—for Hermia in particular. While it is a comedy, in true Shakespeare fashion there are dangerous elements that exist as well. We wanted to bring this play into a modern context and not forget about those stakes.”
Gittings, who has been a core company member at APT in Spring Green for 18 years, will be joined by 22 UW-Platteville students to bring the story to life.
The cast includes Karley Griffin as Oberon, Nik Swiggum as Titania, Joseph Herges as Robin Goodfellow, Grace Silvestri as Hermia, El Dalbey as Lysander, Caroline Aron as Helena, Max Konop as Demetrius, Elijah Fuchs as Peter Quince, Gabe Farr as Francis Flute, Ella Garrison as Robin Starveling, Ethan Gallo as Tom Snout, AJ McCord as Snug, Rowen Schulz as Theseus, Matthew Kula as Egeus, Arjoi Burress as Hippolyta, Olivia Kurth as Peaseblossom, Angel Battistella as Cobweb, Jessee Pinson as Mote, Alexis Allen-Price as Mustardseed, Erin Lenz as Philostrate and Jaden Hawley and Bree Bunyea as the guards.
Joining Farrelly on the production team are UW-Platteville faculty and staff Jeffrey Strange as scenic designer and Sarah Strange as costume designer. Students on the production staff include Jamie Wodack as lighting designer, Aliyta Schroeder as sound designer and Sophia Rowell as stage manager.
“It is always exciting to work with student designers,” Farrelly said.
Gittings will appear on stage with UW-Platteville students thanks to the support of the Bert Glanz Fund for Classical Theatre. Glanz was a faculty member in the English department at UW-Platteville for 25 years. He also served as department chair and performed with the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival. He died in 1990.
“This has been such an amazing opportunity for our students. They have loved having Tim be a part of this production—we all have. He has truly brought out the best in our performers,” Farrelly said.
The production will run approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $5 for students/under 18. For tickets, visit tickets.uwplatt.edu or call the University Box Office at 608-342-1298.