Loren Kattenbraker, left, and Tahlia Wulff, right, are seen on stage during dress rehearsals Friday evening at the Centralia College Corbet Theatre.
From left to right, Kelsi Mack, Thomas Perkins, Nicole Anderson, and Joshua Dyeson are seen on stage during dress rehearsals Friday evening at the Centralia College Corbet Theatre.
Joshua Dyeson, left, and Nicole Anderson, right, are seen on stage during dress rehearsals Friday evening at the Centralia College Corbet Theatre.
Loren Kattenbraker, left, and Tahlia Wulff, right, are seen on stage during dress rehearsals Friday evening at the Centralia College Corbet Theatre.
From left to right, Nicole Anderson, Kelsi Mack, Thomas Perkins, and Joshua Dyeson are seen on stage during dress rehearsals Friday evening at the Centralia College Corbet Theatre.
When William Shakespeare wrote his classic play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” all parts of his plays — even female characters — were performed by men.
Starting tonight, Director Emmy Kreilkamp and the Department of Theatre and Drama at Centralia College are flipping the script.
In this adaptation of the performance, many typically male roles will be played by women.
“I think it’s a unique take that will change the way the character is played,” said cast member Chloe Bradley. “I would hope it would intrigue the audience even more.”
They will present “A Midsummer Night's Dream” by William Shakespeare May 11-12 at 7 p.m., May 13 at 2 p.m., May 17-19 at 7 p.m. and May 20 at 2 p.m. at the Corbet Theatre inside Washington Hall at Centralia College. Tickets will be $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors with a special pay-what-you-can night Thursday, May 17.
“This is Shakespeare,” said Kryshelle Wittner, playing Oberon. “It’s not a usual thing for a small town to do a play this historically famous.”
Being a play with unfamiliar language it may not seem like the type of play to see if you are new to theater, but Kreilkamp urges everyone to come see it.
“It’s a 400-year-old comedy. It might seem daunting to come see a Shakespeare play, but it’s much easier to understand the language and the plot by coming and seeing it,” said Kreilkamp.
Unlike some other plays shown previously at the Corbet Theatre, this one is not intended to cause a political debate between viewers.
“The earlier plays this season were much more serious and tackled social and political stances in the world today,” said Kreilkamp. “But I think it’s wonderful to be able to go to the theater and laugh.”
Shakespeare had a talent for being able to transport his audiences into the settings of his stories, and staff at the Corbet Theatre plan to do that exact same thing.
“They’re not going to be in the Corbet Theatre anymore,” said cast member McKayla Dawes. “They’re going to be in the woods.”
Not only is the set a unique spectacle in itself, the actors will be wearing custom outfits from award-winning costume designer and performer Carrie Anne Huneycutt throughout the entire show.
“We have a huge cast with original compositions and amazing singing,” said Kreilkamp. “If nothing else, it’s funny, it’s not very long and it’s cheap.”
Cast:
The Court:
Theseus, Duke of Athens - Christopher Valcho
Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, engaged to Theseus - Nicole Anderson
Philostrate, Master of the Revels - Dean Phillips
Egeus, Father of Hermia - D. Douglas Lukascik
Hermia - Annika Catron
Lysander - Joshua Dyeson
Demetrius - Thomas Perkins
Helena - Kelsi Mack
The Mechanicals:
Peter Quince - Judah MacNeely
Nick Bottom/Pyramus - Thomas Lockhart
Francis Flute/Thisbe - McKayla Dawes
Tom Snout/Wall - Michaela Damone
Snug/Lion - Joseph Pettit
The Woodland Fairies/Elves:
Oberon - Kryshelle Wittner
Titania - Chloe Bradley
Robin Goodfellow/Puck - Tahlia Wulff
Clover - Loren Kattenbraker
Peaseblossom - Daisy Bower
Cobweb - Emma Johnson
Mote - Abby Olson
Mustardseed - Sarah Olson
Titania’s Dancing Fairies:
Maysie Bishop
Elsa Freeberg
Zoey Golovanov
Ari Hannum
Nora Hedgers
Kyleigh Lloyd
Sonya Montee
Corin Meek
Jamiah Wood
Oberon’s Dancing Elves:
Sidney Godbehere
Enzo Montee
Production Team:
Director - Emmy Kreilkamp
Set Designer - Narayani Matson
Costume Designer - Carrie Anne Huneycutt
Lighting Designer - Kelly Terry
Sound Designer - S. Beth May
Choreographer - Nancy Gunter
Dance Captain - Sonya Montee
Technical Director - Tony Petzold
Rehearsal Stage Manager - Daisy Bower
Performance Stage Manager - Hannah Voelker
Light Board Operator - Erin Brown
Sound Board Operator - Melida Komla
Backstage Assistant - Erica Dyeson
Run Crew - Students from Intro to Shakespeare course
Set Construction - Julie Bell, Robin Mace, Marisa McPhee, Gene Rice
House Manager - Bridget Rowley
Box Office Manager - Cathy Bohlig
Lobby and Archival Photography - Michael Sage
Program Photography - Rachel Frichette Photography
