Elle (Sonovia Wilson) clutches at Demi (Boston Hogue) in an attempt to keep his love. At the same time, Puck (Elijah Strader) and Oberon (Ashley Wagaman) are delighted and dismayed by the mess they created.
The Lone Star College-Kingwood Theatre returns this spring with an adaptation of a Shakespeare classic.
“A Brief Midsummer Night’s Dream” is the first show that the department will perform live on campus since the COVID-19 pandemic. It will run Feb. 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on the college’s Main Stage.
“We are very excited to bring live audiences back to campus for this production! It has been two years since we have been able to offer a full theatrical experience on campus,” said Eric Skiles, artistic director of theatre at LSC-Kingwood. “The thirst for live cultural events is very real right now in our world, and we are happy to be providing this event.”
“A Brief Midsummer Night’s Dream” will focus on one of the four storylines from the original work. The adaptation will follow the journey of four teenage lovers escaping to the forest to find true love. Mia is in love with Sander, but Mia’s father wants her to marry Demi. Mia and Sander plot an escape into the forest to elope. Demi chases after them, followed by Mia’s best friend, Elle. Oberon and Puck, two famous fairies, try to help the lovers out with a magical flower. Despite best intentions, the plan goes awry.
“Shakespeare’s work remains timeless; his stories contain universal truths and emotions that everyone can relate to,” Skiles said. “Our adaptation condenses the language of the play into very understandable moments where real emotions are expressed and shared.”
Cast members are Hailey Jones as Mia; Quen Darby as Sander; Boston Hogue (debut artist) as Demi; Sonovia Wilson (debut artist) as Elle; Elijah Strader as Puck; Ashley Wagaman as Oberon; and Brielle Carlisle (debut artist) as Principal T. The crew consists of Eric Skiles, director; Kalliope Vlahos, production designer; and Lisa T, (debut artist) stage manager.
“This production is important because it may be the easiest Shakespeare play to comprehend. The characters are relatable and humorous, which brings joy and laughter to these stressful times,” Lisa T said. “The community should support it because it brings us together, and it’s a great way to support the arts and encourage our local thespians.”
LSC-Kingwood has a social distancing mandate in place for all spaces on campus. The production will be held on the Main Stage, in the Administration and Performing Arts Center, and has a seating limit of 114 patrons. Every other seat in the theatre is blocked off for safety. The Box Office and the ticketing ushers will remain, but “contactless” options are available. The performers will not wear masks during the performance.
“This is my very first time in an official production on stage, and I am very excited. ‘Midsummer’ is important because it will help many understand and interpret one of Shakespeare’s beautiful pieces. Additionally, the audience will learn about the important lessons that Shakespeare teaches within his writings,” Sonovia Wilson said. “Our production will make you laugh, which will help release built-up stress (perhaps gained due to the pandemic) and relax your body and mind.”
General admission into “A Brief Midsummer Night’s Dream” is $7 for students, $12 for seniors age 55 and older, and $14 for adults and can be purchased through https://www.lonestar.edu/seasons.htm. For more information on this show or future productions, email Eric.C.Skiles@LoneStar.edu or visit https://www.lonestar.edu/seasons.htm.
Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 93,000+ students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and has been named a 2021 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers By State’ list. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence, and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
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