Midland Community Theatre revives Shakespeare with immersive 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'

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Midland Community Theatre (MCT) is set to captivate audiences with its production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s classic comedy of love, magic, and mischief. | Midland Community Theatre/Facebook

Midland Community Theatre (MCT) is set to captivate audiences with its production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s classic comedy of love, magic, and mischief. Directed by A. Chris Barton, this marks MCT’s first Shakespearean production in more than 20 years, with the creative team offering a fresh approach while staying true to the original text.

“In producing the first Shakespearean play in so long, we wanted to honor the source material we love so dearly,” Barton said. “We kept the scene structures intact and retained the story’s original intention, making only minimal edits to preserve its integrity.”

One unique aspect of the production is the immersive stage design, with the audience surrounding the action on all sides. “Actors had to adjust to performing in this new environment,” Barton said. “The audience gets different perspectives depending on where they sit, so every angle provides a new discovery.” The setting has been reimagined in what Barton describes as a “surreal Regency-era world,” blending historical elements with a dreamlike quality.

Assistant Director Carley Venter said the Regency era was chosen because it reflected a patriarchal society but also a time when women were beginning to speak out for their rights. “Entwining that world with the magical fairies allowed for a surrealist twist that complements the dreamlike nature of the play,” Venter said.

MCT involved its Pickwick community in the entire design process. “They designed the set, costumes, props, lights, and sound,” Barton said. “The prompt of Regency-era surrealism gave them artistic freedom, and they’ve created a world that feels both familiar and fantastical.”

One challenge of staging Shakespeare, particularly for new actors, is the language. To help the cast understand the text, Barton had them translate their lines into contemporary slang. “The exercise helped the actors break free of the ‘Shakespearean voice’ and understand what they were saying and reacting to,” he said.

Music and lighting play key roles in creating the play’s whimsical atmosphere. “The lighting by Sarah Delozier and original acapella music by Shawn Mulligan set the mood beautifully,” Barton said. “We used a motif from one of the songs to bookend the play.”

MCT aims to make the production accessible to all, offering a special “Pay-What-You-Can” performance on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 2:30 p.m. “We’ve invited schools from as far as Big Spring, and we hope to encourage new ways of viewing and interacting with theater,” Venter said.

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