ETSU’s Department of Theatre opened their spring play on Feb. 18 with a large crowd. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is the spring play production this year under the direction of ETSU theatre professor Herb Parker. Parker is directing this play because he enjoys Shakespeare comedies and wants to introduce Shakespeare to students.
“This is the most accessible comedy, the most straight forward, and easy for the audience to pick up on,” he said. A Shakespeare play was going to be done and this worked out perfectly because Parker has acted in this play five times, so he knows it well. “This was calling to be done; it is suitable for fresh and new young performers. There are many twists, turns and surprises along the way. It’s fun for the audience,” said Parker.
Parker is no stranger to directing plays at ETSU. He is a professor in the ETSU Department of Theatre and has done more than 25 years of acting. During his career at ETSU he has directed “As You Like It,” “Hamlet,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf.”
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a comedy about Duke Theseus and Hippolyta getting married and the events and adventures that take place with other actors and their love affairs in this play, that are directly tied to Duke Theseus and Hippolyta.
In the ETSU version of this play, actors emerge from the back of the audience in the beginning and continue to do this in each scene, which creates the feel that the audience is part of the play.
The actors have wonderful expression and emotion really taking on the part of their character to its full potential. There is lots of laughter from the audience, especially during the first act with the donkey and the second act with the climax and ending of the play. The costumes are creative varying from white dresses, suits, all black outfits for the fairy’s, a donkey and even a tablecloth and sheets for the rustics.
Parker’s favorite part of directing this play was working with the actors, and “discovering the new possibilities, what they bring to the table in the way of imagination, and coaching actors.”
Samuel Floyd, a senior majoring in theater, is playing the part of Oberon, king of the fairies. Since theater is his major he auditions for everything, he said. “Shakespeare is one of my favorites and this is my favorite Shakespeare play. I’m really excited.”
The most rewarding part of this play for Floyd is making a point to play very different characters. The most fun is finding a different part of yourself he said.
Camielle Reed plays the part of Titania, who is queen of the fairies. She is a theater major who auditioned for this production because it is something that a lot of people wanted to be part of. “Herb adds elements of fun that are unexpected and you don’t know what is going to happen,” said Reed.
The most rewarding experience from being part of this production for Reed has been the comradery that happens in the play and starting from scratch with an idea and keeping building and adding to it.
Parker said the most challenging part was helping the young actors who haven’t experienced Shakespeare before and bring it to life for them. Parker stressed that Shakespeare is easier to understand than most people think.
“These plays are more than 400 years old. Most people can understand Shakespeare if they allow themselves.”
Shakespeare’s plays were written to be performed in an open theater with 1,000 people in the audience, more specifically, to be performed for the king, queen and their subjects in England.
Since there was no vast technology, like we have in today’s world, the plays were to be performed during daylight hours with a wooden stage that has upper tiers.
During the time of when Shakespeare lived, much of the population was illiterate so the plays had to paint a vivid picture, so the audience could visualize with their imagination. Shakespeare’s plays were about the love of language.
Nearly 50 people were involved in this production to make it successful; from the actors, to artistic staff, production crew and the makeup design team.
Parker began the auditions in November and everyone involved has been working hard for two months to make this production the best it can be. Parker anticipates the production to be a big success and a large turnout.
This play runs Feb. 24-27, Thursday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Bud Frank Theater, which is located on the lower level on Gilbreath Hall.
Total length of the production is 2 hours and 10 minutes, including intermission.
Admission is $5 for students with ID and $10 for general admission. Group rates are available. For more information call (423) 439-6511.
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