News & Events 2002-2003

Blair Academy Players Present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

The Blair Academy Players’ performed William Shakespeare’s classic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” under the direction of Craig Evans on October 31, November 1, 2 and 3 in the Dubois Theatre in the Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts. (See cast photos)

One of the world’s most produced plays, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" concerns all the madness and magic of love, centering around the upcoming marriage of the Duke, played by junior Phil Mauriello, to Hippolyta, played by junior Dana Schultz. The first set of complications comes with two men, Lysander (played by junior Mike Spadaccini) and Demetrius (played by sophomore Hudson Taylor) who are both in love with Hermia (played by senior Jess Rumore). Demetrius’ former love, Helena (played by sophomore Molly McAdoo), hopes to win back the favor of her beloved.

Proving that “the course of true love never did run smooth” are the interfering fairies, led by that “merry wanderer of the night” Puck, played by senior Kira Randolph. She is under the direction of her king Oberon, played by senior Michael E. C. Wilson, who is warring with his supernatural queen Titiania, played by senior Liz Brandwood. Hoping to produce a play for the Duke’s wedding are a group of “hempen homespuns,” led by their director Penny Quince (played by senior Virginia S. Case) and their asinine lead actor Bottom (played by senior Nic Davin).

The application (and misapplication) of love potions, the poetry of love, the silliness of metamorphoses, and the cleverness of Shakespeare’s plotting prove the validity of Puck’s assertion, “Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

The student director of the production is senior Kelsey Strub. The technical director is Wayne Rasmussen, who is assisted by Michael Sayers. The costume director is Kaye Evans, and musical director is Dana Williams.

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