Lincoln Academy will soon present William Shakespeare’s comedy of love, magic, and mischief, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." Heartwood Theater will collaborate by sharing resources and managing publicity and ticketing. Performances are scheduled for Oct. 30 – Nov. 7 in the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy.

"A Midsummer Night’s Dream," one of Shakespeare’s most popular and widely performed plays, was written in the late 1500’s.  Several interconnecting subplots cohere around the wedding of Duke Theseus of Athens and the Amazon queen Hippolyta, primarily set in a beautiful, fantastical woodland.    

The challenge of performing Shakespeare brings students into an unparalleled world of language and theater. In this shortened version of the classic, students take on speaking poetry, comic timing, dialect and much more. This production asks each student to develop and stretch on many levels: voice, intellect, movement and collaboration. 

The cast of 23 along with a dedicated student tech crew are fortunate to have a great production team, with Jonah Daiute as tech director, Ryan Kohnert on lights, and three creative artists who helped provide a comprehensive learning and performance experience: costumer Amy Noble, composer Larry Detwiler and choreographer Niall Lessard.

Director Griff Braley reflects with enthusiasm, “I am very proud of this group's hard work, dedication and preparation. This fall has been filled with wonderful, productive afternoons on the stage, with fun and invigorating rehearsals abounding with rich opportunities to develop the elements of classical acting. Students continue to surprise themselves (and me) in rehearsals, as their work leaps forward and they make key discoveries. Shakespeare's work provides moments that are both intimidating and thrilling - and I hope that our audience finds this production both entertaining and challenging.” 

One Saturday matinee is scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. and four evening performances Oct, 30, and Nov. 5-7 at 7 p.m. in the Parker Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy, 81 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle. 

Reservations are strongly suggested, by emailing info@heartwoodtheater.org or phoning 207-563-1373.  All adult tickets are $20, and students through college are $5, thanks to Student Ticket Sponsors - First National Wealth Management and Moody’s Diner.