Topic: College of Fine Arts
November 1, 2011
Hannah Drake (as Tiania) and Bradford Reilly (as Bottom) star in Ball State~~~s production of "A Midsummer Night~~~s Dream".
Comedy and magic come together in Ball State University's portrayal of the Shakespearean classic "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which opens on the University Theatre stage Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The play also will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11-12 and 15-19, with a matinee scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13.
"I've always loved the play, going back to my high school years when I played Bottom," said Peter Zapp, director of the production. "I've looked for an opportunity to revisit 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' since then."
The comedy follows the confusing events of Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding eve. Chaos ensues with the entrance of four young Athenian lovers and the rude mechanicals, a dysfunctional yet lovable group of actors. Also bringing mischief, the fairies are mostly to blame for the evening's mix-ups as they romp through the chaos of love and longing. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" reveals to the audience that classic lesson of "what fools these mortals be."
Students have been working on the play since last spring, combining all of the elements into a controlled and artistically complete theatrical performance, Zapp said.
"There are innumerable ways that the students benefit from this learning experience," he added. "One unique aspect of this production is that small pieces of it are being filmed and then projected onto the cyclorama behind the set."
Tickets for the performance cost $13 for the general public, $12 for faculty and staff, $10 for senior citizens, and $7 for students. They are available from the University Theatre Box Office, open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the box office at 765-285-8749 or visit www.bsu.edu/theatre for more information.
By Chanel Richards