by Kasey Kopp, dramaturg William Shakespeare’s works are among the most performed in the western theatre world. And since its first performance in 16th century England, literally hundreds of productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream have graced stages around the world—enchanting and entertaining audiences of all ages. We are so excited to see this beloved story come to life here at BYU and consider it such a privilege to be able to perform this show as part of the 40th anniversary of Young Company and to share it with elementary schools throughout Utah in February and March as it goes on tour! A Midsummer’s Night Dream is the classic Shakespeare comedy of four pairs of lovers, all seeking true love despite familial objections and external circumstances, including the interference of group of fairies dwelling in the magical woods. In spite of (and because of) the fairies meddling, each pair of lovers eventually winds up in the arms of the one they love. As in most romantic comedies, everything works out for the best. And of course everyone lives happily ever after! In this imaginative interpretation, the majority of the actors will be honing and developing their puppetry skills as the Mechanicals and a good portion of the cast will be attached to strings! This creative approach to the story will surely be captivating to audience members of all ages. And to keep you in the loop as we move toward opening night, my co-dramaturg, Eric Stroud, and I will be bringing you the latest updates and behind-the-scenes info on Midsummer’s. My name is Kasey Kopp, by the way, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing team on this production—it truly is a privilege. As we move toward opening night, be sure to check back often to learn more about the playwright, the creative process in developing the show and to discover how this new imagining will bring a fresh perspective to this Shakespearean classic, sure to enchant audiences both young and old! Until next week! Sweet dreams!
