News Releases

Fairies, Gypsies Romp in Shakespearian Comedy

Magic, mayhem, love, laughs, fairies and gypsies. Alma College Theatre ventures into the fantastical worlds and words of William Shakespeare to bring all this and more in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“This is such a well-written and fun play,” says faculty director Joe Jezewski. “Everybody will have a great experience, whether they are watching or performing.”

Alma College Theatre presents Shakespeare’s enchanting “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14th through Saturday, Feb. 16th and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17th in the Remick Heritage Center, Strosacker Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for adults and free for Alma College staff, students and youth 18 and under.  Seating is reserved. For ticket information, call (989) 463-7304. 

One of Shakespeare’s most popular works, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a magical classic comedy that involves two pairs of lovers who, after facing a romantic dilemma, flee into a magical forest only to become the playthings of a group of fairies who are having their own romantic challenges. There is a royal wedding with entertainment by an inept troupe of would-be actors who also fall prey to the fairy antics while rehearsing in the woods. Much confusion ensues with magic and mistaken identities before the air is cleared and things wrap up with a hilarious play within a play.

According to Jezewski, few cuts have been made from the Shakespearian original. In fact, the only noticeable distinction from the text is that the civilized, mortal world is set in a gypsy camp at the edge of the forest, rather than in Athens. Initially “relocated” for practical staging purposes, Jezewski and ensemble soon discovered and appreciated the sensational sensory elements the gypsy lifestyle brought to the production.

“The costumes are spectacular,” says Jezewski, praising costume designer Tina Vivian. “There is a very exotic look to the gypsies that gives a heightened sense of play and magic.”

The stage design aims to capture visually the magical qualities of the play. A waterfall, vines, real fire and much more transform the stage into two enchanting and certainly interesting worlds.

Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance Carol Fike has choreographed and rehearsed six dances with the cast members. These dances are set to distinct and diverse tunes to reflect worldly experiences and cultural encounters that characterized the gypsy lifestyle.

“It was a conscious choice to pick music from different places, with different ‘flavors,’” says Jezewski, noting that the styles range from Spanish Flamenco, to Middle Eastern, to the other worldly Celtic sounds of the “fairy music.”

Joining Jezewski is assistant director Ashley Swatzke and a 22-member cast, including Remick Heritage Center Building Coordinator and Technical Director Mike Sheldon.

-ep-

 

 

Alma College students have experiential learning opportunities in Washington, D.C. and around the world through the College’s partnership with the Osgood Center for International Studies. The Osgood Center offers annual leadership, business and foreign policy conferences for college students on contemporary international issues.

 

Leadership Profile

Tanis Rozeveld

Tanis Rozeveld

We like to joke that the average Alma College student is involved in a dozen organizations and activities, but Tanis Rozeveld ’14 proves that leadership is no laughing matter.