A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Krista Apple
Director's Note
Love is such a destructive force...........
There's a funny thing that happens with stories about love: they actually become stories about romance, which is different.
Romance is... romantic. Idealized. Pretty. It's Valentine's Day, and stories that end happily, and feel good.
But true love is.... hard. It's messy, unpredictable, and Often Not Fun. It upends our otherwise neatly-ordered lives. Like Shakespeare's play here, it's chaotic, unapologetic, unrelenting, and unstoppable.
And inconvenient. And sometimes it makes mistakes. And the course of it, as Shakespeare says, never runs smooth.
And also: It’s completely magical. It’s made of glitter and neon and rainbows and bubbles and flowers and twinkly lights and joy.
And also darkness and sadness and sweat and confusion. All of it, all together, all at once.
If we listen closely to this play, we can hear Shakespeare telling us that true love is an action, not a feeling. True love is full devotion to something outside of ourselves. It's full-on hope in the face of challenge and rejection.
It's a spell we cast on ourselves, and choose to be transformed by.
I hope you enjoy the action spell of this play. May it inspire you to keep embracing both the chaos and the joy of whatever brings you true love in this life.
Krista Apple
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Fall 2023
PRODUCTION TEAM
Krista Apple (Director)(she/her) is an Associate Professor of Acting at the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts, and Program Director of the BFA Acting Program. Regional Shakespeare performance credits: TWELFTH NIGHT, HAMLET, ROMEO & JULIET, and MACBETH (Wilma Theater); MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Delaware Shakespeare). Directing credits: MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Delaware Shakespeare) and Theater For A New Audience's Shakespeare Scholars Program. Thanks and gratitude to this incredible and DREAM-y cast, crew and production team.
Violet Regan (Assistant Director)(she/her) is a Senior Directing, Playwriting and Production major! Past UArts credits include I Want A Country (Ensemble), Head Over Heels (ASM), Rhapsody of Life’s Progress (ASM) and The Untitled Cherry Orchard Project (Assistant Director). Thanks to the cast and crew for such an incredible experience! Enjoy the show!!
Emma Price (Assistant Director, Dramaturg)(she/her) is a Senior double major in Musical Theater and DPP (Directing, Playwriting and Production). Past UArts credits include Urinetown (Assistant Director), Mrs. Wilson (Delivery Boy in Equinox), Alchemic Oddities (Assistant Stage Manager) and Ensemble (This Beautiful City). Catch me this season in the cast of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812! So much thanks and love to the cast and crew of Midsummer, the faculty of UArts and her family. :)
Kel Fleming (Stage Manager)(they/them) is a Philadelphia-based writer, director, and stage manager, focusing on the creation of new political, psychedelic, and comedic theatrical pieces. Recent credits include: Other Orbits (Applied Mechanics)
Lucy George (Assistant Stage Manager)
Allie Wahl (Assistant Stage Manager)
Riw Rakkulchon (Set Designer)
Miles Ellis Novotny (Assistant Set Designer)(he/they) is a Sophomore Design Tech major and Musical Theater minor. This is Miles's second show at UArts, and his first time working on a UArts mainstage show as part of the design team.
Dom Chacon (Lighting Designer)
Ashton Marlar (Assistant Lighting Designer)(he/him) is a Sophomore Theatre Design and Tech major. Past UArts credits includes work on the shows of Equinox 2023.
Katherine Fritz (Costume Designer)
Damien Figueras (Sound Designer)
Troy Martin-O'Shia (Production Electrician)
Joe Fasciano (Technical Director)
Anna Sorrentino (Costume Shop Manager)
V Perlah Hard (Wardrobe Supervisor)
Kelsey Brookes (Wig Stylist)
Cybele Moon (Costume Crafts Artisan)
Holly Fasciano (Scenic Artist)
Stevie Smith-Iannettoni (Image Design)
Brenna Patzer (Prop Image Design)
Oliver Chase Marten (Prop Image Design)
CAST
Val Giesey (Theseus)(He/they) is a sophomore acting and dance double major. Past UArts credits include the Polyphone festival 2023, the First Year Showcase, Spring Senior Thesis '23, and the UArts Ballet Ensemble. Grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with these peers.
Pamela Jiménez (Hippolyta)(she/her) is a Senior Acting major. Past UArts credits include Visiones del Cuerpo (Body) directed by James Bruenger Arreguin and the Playwrights Workshop. She was also part of the Jouska Showcase and From (Beatrice) directed by CJ Miller at Simpatico Theater. Endless thanks to her family in Philly and the Dominican Republic.
Ellie Giblin (Philostratella)(she/her) is a British Exchange student from Rose Bruford College, studying American Theatre Arts. Past Rose Bruford credits are ‘Machinal’, ‘A Taste of Honey’ and ‘The Children’s Hour’.
Victoria Lewis (Philostratore)(she/her) is a Senior Musical Theater major and MBET minor. Previously at UArts, she performed in Urinetown and has stage management credits for Pippin and Esther's Play. She also performed in film projects and Ballet Ensemble. She holds much gratitude for the amazing experience during the process of this beautiful play.
Luke Perkins (Egeus)(he/they) is a Junior Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include The Sweet Hereafter (Wendell Walker/Abbott Driscoll) and Felipillo (Friar Vincente). Luke thanks the entire cast and crew for a wonderful experience and wishes them the best of luck and to break a leg! (But not actually!)
Claudia Combet (Helena)(she/her) is a Senior Acting Major. Past credits include The Pliant Girls (Arianna) (American U) , and Fefu and Her Friends (ASM). Claudia is so grateful to be a part of this production.
Garrett Grimes (Demetrius)(he/him) is a Senior Acting Major! Past UArts Acting credits include Woyzeck(Ensemble), and Fit for a Queen(TuTu). Garrett is really excited to perform the show and would love to thank family, friends, and faculty that supported him throughout his time here at UArts.
Gwendolyn Felton (Lysander)(they/them) is a Senior Acting Major. Past UArts credits include Felipillo (Francisco Pizarro), Delivery Boy (Delivery Boy), and Woyzeck (Andres). Gwendolyn is endlessly grateful to be a part of such a beautiful and collaborative production. All love to the cast & crew, and friends & family who always show their support.
Kai Scott (Hermia)(they/them) is a Senior Acting major and Photo minor. Past UArts Acting credits include I Want A Country, Woyzeck, and Hamlet. Kai wants to thank their family for the love and support that they've received over their time at UArts.
Michael Jahlil McLaughlin (Oberon)(he/him/they) is a Junior Acting major who is excited to make his UArts debut! Credits include: Medea (James Ijames World Premiere), Dreamgirls (National Tour), What's Going On?: A Play With Music (NCT), and Sweeney Todd (OperaDelaware). Thanks to Krista, Akeem Davis, and my beautiful mother.
Chloe' Knight (Titania) is a Senior Acting major with a minor in Songwriting. Her UArts credits include Aaliyah Summers/Tiffany Lynn in La Vida Luka, Someone in Terms of Endearment(Equinox) and Ms. Dial/Clown 1 in the new musical W.I.T.S.(Polyphone). She is also the Vice President of the UArts Black Student Union. She is excited to take on the role of Titania in this magical production!
Kyle Edens (Puck)(they/he) is a Junior Acting and DPP double major. Past UArts acting credits include Hamlet (Guildenstern) and psychic investigation... (Young August). Past UArts production credits include Hamlet (Stage Manager), Polyphone Festival (Assistant Artistic Director), and Everybody (Assistant Stage Manager).
Maddy Wendell (Cobweb)(she/her) is thrilled to be returning to the Arts Bank stage in Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other UArts credits include Urinetown (Trish Fish/Jeanine Beans/Little Sally cover), Head Over Heels, and Crimson Lit. A Senior Musical Theater major, she looks forward to (finally) receiving her BFA next spring. This performance is dedicated to my mom <3
Brenna Patzer (Mustardseed)(she/her) is a Senior Acting major. Past UArts credits include (Varya) The Untitled Cherry Orchard Musical, (June/July) Esther’s Play About Esther’s Play, (Ensemble) Pippin, and (Ensemble) The Blazing World. Bundles of love to Mom, Dad, Grace, and Penny.
Zoe Hollander (Mote)(she/her) is a Junior Musical Theatre major at UArts. She is thrilled to be performing in her second Brind School production! Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Zoe grew up performing in the Twin Cities. UArts: Horse Girls. Regional: Theatre Latté Da, MN History Theatre, and Stages Theatre Company. Rainbow Fairies dreams realized!
Belle Salvatore (Moth)(she/her) is a Junior Musical Theater major. Past UArts credits include Untitled Cherry Orchard Musical (Grisha) and In The Green (Assistant Stage Managing). Other: June In A Parallel Universe: In Concert, Newsies, Mamma Mia!, and Scrooge The Musical. Endless love to the Midsummer cast and team!
Anisha Rochon (Peaseblossom) Anisha Rochon Thelma Sampson is a Junior Theater major. UArts credits include Revolt she said Revolt again, Terms of endearment, WITS, Below the surface- Animation, and My shining gem- Short film. thanks to the cast and crew of Midsummer for a truly unforgettable
Oliver Chase Marten (Peter Quince)(he/him/his) is a Senior Acting major. Past UArts credits include Hot Cold Shower (Monty), Visiones del Cuerpo (Mind), and All At Once: 40th Anniversary Remaster. Over the summer, Oliver was in Macbeth with the Delaware Shakespeare Company. Oliver would like to thank his partner, his amazing parents, wonderful family, and great friends. He would also like to thank the incredible cast, creative team, and crew of Midsummer! @oliverxchase
Stevie Smith Iannettoni (Nick Bottom)(they/she) is a Senior Musical Theatre and is so excited to be apart of this show! They have played a multitude of characters; some being The Countess in The Cherry Orchard Musical, Augustus in Woyzeck and Bessie in Sometimes The Rain, Sometimes The Sea. She is so excited to be playing such an iconic character and so excited for everyone to come on this journey.
Marissa Wheaton (Francis Flute)(they/she) is currently a Senior Acting major. Past UArts credits include: Hamlet (Gertrude) and Everybody (Assistant Stage Manager). Regional credits include: Steel Magnolias (Annelle)(Clear Space Theatre), Carrie (Helen), Guys and Dolls (Mimi/Hotbox Dancer), and Mamma Mia! (Ensemble Swing). Much love to their friends and family for their support, especially her mom. @marissawheaton_
Logan Brooks (Snout)(she/her) is a Senior Acting major. Past UArts credits include WITS (Ma/SPX), Esther’s Play about Esther’s Play (Coco), This Beautiful City (Ensemble). She thanks her friends and family for their support, and everyone in the cast and crew for this wonderful opportunity.
Sophia Rowland (Snug)(she/her) is a Junior Acting major with an MT minor and is thrilled to be in her first main stage production at UArts. Last semester you may have seen her during the Polyphone musical The Sweethereafter by Daniel Maté or the staged reading of Terms of Endearment by China Rain Chung. She gives all her flowers to Krista Apple for being an amazing director and all her talented cast mates for making this such a memorable experience full of love.
Jordan Neff (Robin Starveling)(she/they) is a Junior Acting & DPP major. Past UArts credits include Cerebral (Keeper/Lou), Woyzeck (Cathy), Felipillo (Gómara), Family Undone (Dramaturg), and Untitled Cherry Orchard Musical (Assistant Stage Manager). I want to extend endless love and gratitude to my friends, family, and my mom!
RUN CREW
Riley Irvine
Giovanna Johns
Amelio Kirshon
Miranda Ortega
Chloe San-Horstman
University of the Arts
Kerry Walk, President
Kikau Alvaro, Interim Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Aanika Allen, Assistant Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Madison Claus, Senior Administrative Assistant
Krista Apple, Program Director, Acting
Amy Dugas Brown, Program Director, Directing, Playwriting and Production
Thom Weaver, Interim Program Director, Theater Design & Technology
Jacob Brent, Interim Program Director, Musical Theater
Quinn Bauriedel, Program Director, Pig Iron School MFA in Devised Performance
Nick Embree, Associate Professor
Sarah Sanford, Assistant Professor
Issac Byrne, Visiting Assistant Professor
Kyle Metzger, Visiting Assistant Professor
Lindsay Cram, Associate Producer
Joe Fasciano, Technical Director
Troy Martin-O’Shia, Production Electrician
Anna Sorrentino, Costume Shop Manager
Larry Fowler, Sound Practicum Instructor
Chris Haig, Technical Practicum Instructor
Rebecca Kanach, Costume Practicum Instructor
Juliana Luber, Audience Services Coordinator