WVU Parkersburg Theatre Department to present outdoor production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

CONTACT: Jeff Byrd, Theatre director, 304-424-8295.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Theatre Department will present a free outdoor production of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" July 9 through July 13.

Show time is 8 p.m.  The production will be presented nightly in the area of the college's walking trail, located behind the campus cafeteria.  In the event of rain, the show will be moved indoors to the Caperton Center auditorium. 

Admission is free but seating is limited to 60.  Those planning to attend are asked to call the Theatre Department, 424-8295, in advance regarding availability, noted Jeff Byrd, Theatre instructor.  

Audience members are encouraged to bring creature comforts, such as chairs, blankets, flashlights, soft drinks, etc.  Byrd said transportation will be provided to the outdoor site to those who request it.

The production is being staged outside since the major section of the play is set in a forest.

"A natural setting was picked over an interior theatre set to get the audience into the mindset that theatre can take place anywhere, so why not choose environments that are better suited to the productions needs," Byrd said.

" A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a venture into the world of environmental theatre," he noted. 

"Setting in a natural space is the key scenic aspect of the production," he added. "Let us enjoy nature, and capture some of the enchantment that Shakespeare has written into the play."

With the launching of this production, Byrd is interested in establishing an annual Shakespeare Festival where anyone in the state who wants to send a show for production can feel free to do so.  He also hopes to develop a renaissance fair along with the productions.

Members of the cast of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" include Theseus, Duke of Athens, David Scheiman; Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus, Kelee Hartlelroad; Philostrate, Master of the Revels, Julia Raffa; Egeus, Hermia’s father, Don Geibel; Hermia, in love with Lysander, Emily Paul; Lysander, suitor to Hermia, Eli Tracewell; Demetrius, suitor to Hermia, Jared Van Fossen; Helena, in love with Demetrius, Barbie Grizer; Peter Quince, a carpenter, Robert Decker; Nick Bottom, a weaver, Joseph Peyton; Francis Flute, a bellows mender, Delaney Shannon; Robin Starveling, a tailor, Michael Wyers; Tom Snout, a tinker, Maureen Modesitt; Snug, a joiner, Kurtis Decker; Puck or Robin Goodfellow, a faerie, Susan Kelby; Moth, a faerie, Fionna Fields; Cobweb, a faerie, Robin Kelby; Peaseblossom, a faerie, Kelee Hartlelroad; Mustardseed, a faerie, Shelly Newbanks; Daylilly, a faerie, Katlyn Phillips; Note, a faerie, Jennifer Phillips; Oberon, King of the Faeries, J. Andrew Clovis; and Titania, Queen of the Faeries, Quinn Hartleroad.

Costume crew includes Jeff Byrd, Peg Clifford, Andrew Clovis, Emily Decker, Veronica Fields, Maureen Modesitt, Veronica Newbanks,  Andrew Clovis, Veronica Fields, and Maureen Modesitt. Musicians are Susan Kelby, Julia Raffa, Jennifer Phillips and Delaney Shannon.  The production is under the direction of Andrew Clovis with Jeff Byrd serving as producer.

cd07/1/08