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A Midsummer Night’s Dream, our fourth annual summer production, brings us into ancient
Greece. Frustrated by Athenian law, four young lovers flee to the woods, which unbeknownst to
them are the battleground of an epic conflict between the King and Queen of the Fairies.
Meanwhile, six "rude mechanicals" (working-class citizens) rehearse a play of their own for the
wedding of Theseus, Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. The hapless Athenians
become hopelessly embroiled in the supernatural conflict, experiencing events so strange they
can only be "the fierce vexation of a dream." But the lovers return, the war resolves, and the
bumbling mechanicals succeed in presenting their play before the Duke. Merriment Ensues.
To represent the fairy kingdom, we have adopted the ancient style of mask characters, following
the tradition of the Roman theatre, commedia dell’arte, and Charlie Chaplin. |
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Photo:Pat DeWitt
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The exaggerated features of the mask determine the personality portrayed by the actors. In
our case, for example, an eastern dragon embodies the august presence of the Fairy King.
Our masks were designed and constructed by the cast and crew. Molds were made from actors'
faces using plaster-soaked gauze. From these molds, paper and glue shells were constructed
and characteristic features added. Paint, hair, and beads add the finishing touches.
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The cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
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