University of Lynchburg shakes up William Shakespeare, Steampunk-style, with its production of The Bard’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opening Thursday, October 5, in Dillard Theatre.
Lynchburg’s take on the classic comedy/fantasy has been described as “Victorian Steampunk with shades of Middle Earth.”
“Our designers went wild with it. They loved it,” theatre professor Jeff Wittman said of the sets, which include navigational tools, gears, and a treehouse.
Asked about the challenges of Steampunk-ing Shakespeare, Wittman said the real challenge was putting on a show four weeks into the academic year. Auditions were held during the first two days of the semester, he said, and rehearsals and work on sets, lighting and costumes began immediately. Lots of work was done on weekends.
“We love it all, though. This is our bag, our bailiwick,” he said, adding, “Art and theatre isn’t complete until you share it with an audience. Four-and-a-half weeks to try to get something stage-worthy and I think we’re there.”
The production includes several dance numbers and some gender-bending performances. The cast of 21 includes first-years through seniors, two members of Lynchburg’s Dance Works troupe, and Emily Emanuel, 10-year-old daughter of Lynchburg alumna Megan Harker Emanuel ’01, ’09 MEd, as “The Changeling.”
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October, 5, through Saturday, October 7, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 8. Students, faculty, and staff admission is $5. Adult tickets are $15. Seniors (60+) are $12.
Tickets are available at the door, online at www.etix.com, or by calling (434) 544-8380.
Cast:
Kyle Lawhorn ’19 (Theseus, Duke of Athens)
Georgie DeCosmo ’18 (Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus)
David Saez ’20 (Egeus, father of Hermia)
Ellee Evans ’19 (Hermia, daughter of Egeus, in love with Lysander)
Travis Carr ’21 (Lysander, in love with Hermia)
Austin Candler ’20 (Demetrius, in love with Hermia and favored by Egeus)
Elizabeth Martin ’21 (Helena, in love with Demetrius)
Logan Wagner ’19 (Oberon, King of the Spirits)
Brooke Bosiger ’19 (Titania, Queen of the Spirits)
Sami Topping ’19 (Puck, or Robin Goodfellow)
Emily Emanuel (The Changeling).
Jordan Champe ’21, Lauren Shank ‘19, Brennae Spence ’20, and Cody Strange ’21 (Spirits)
Chelsey Fix ’19 (Peter Quince, a carpenter)
Lauren Harris ’18 (Nick Bottom, a weaver)
Jacqueline Resau ’20 (Francis Flute, a bellows mender)
Bradley Wetzel ’18 (Tom Snout, a tinker)
Sara Severens ’18 (Snug, a joiner)
Kailee Weiman ’19 (Robin Starveling, a tailor)
