The Park Theatre Presents Shakespeare in the Park!
July 26, 27 and 28
The Park Theatre, as a continuing part of its first-ever season, proudly announces that it has joined with Project Shakespeare to present "A Midsummer Night's Dream" this week on the lawn of the Jaffrey Civic Center. This well known comedy by the master playwright is about trials and tribulations of true love and our true selves.
The performances are free and start at 7 pm this Thursday night, July 26 and run for three consecutive evenings - July 26, 27 and 28. On Sunday the cast and crew will take their production "on the road" for matinee performances at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Jaffrey and Langdon Place in Keene. Patrons for the three outdoor performances are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets. Insect spray and refreshments will be available, so The Park Theatre requests no coolers.
This week's production is the culmination of the six week Project Shakespeare program, founded and directed by Deborah Shakespeare Thurber. The concept for developing theatrical skills in younger students by using the plays of Shakespeare was the subject of Mrs. Thurber's thesis upon completion of her Master of Art in Theatre Education from Emerson College. In the past 20 years, more than 325 students of all ages have undertaken the program and performed before audiences in Boston and Nashua, and now, for the first time, in Jaffrey.
The actors in this week's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" range in ages from 6 to 18 and come from 6 towns throughout the region. When asked what he thought about the six week rehearsal process, 6 year old Connor Ahern of Rindge, smiled wide and said "It's lots of fun. I really like it!". Seventeen year old Amber Riley of Greenville, who plays Helena (and is in love with Demetrius who happens to be in love with Hermia) said "it's a good reason to et up early in the summer!" Kel Sauer from Jaffrey is heading to college this fall to study theatre and noted that this summer has given her the "opportunity to translate Shakespeare from his time to our time." She felt that everyone in the cast, no matter their age, was involved and engaged in the production. Kel, who designed the poster for the production, plays Hermia who loves Lysander and is loved by him and by Demetrius.
Cast members are Dante Hecker, Erin Casey O'Loughlin, Tyler James Seidenberg, Nicholas Andrew Gruber, Kel Sauer, Amber Elizabeth Riley, Meg Griffin, Courtney Lawn, Anna Rose Barlow, Teddie Martin, Connor Ahern, Julia Ashton Bailey, Hannah Rose Bush, and Michael Taylor Dargie. The production crew includes Project Shakespeare Director, Deborah Shakespear Thurber, Sound and Music Designer, Steven A. Thurber, Technical Assistance, Jessie Bessette, Costume Alterations, Mrs. Barlow, Mrs. Lawn, Mrs. Griffith, Mrs. Dargie and Deryl S. Schoenberg.
Director Thurber noted that she has directed this play several times with several different ages group, but that this was the first time that she has had a cast split with half under 12 years of age and half over 15. She has been impressed since the first day of Project Shakespeare with the generosity of the older students toward the younger ones and how well everyone contributes to the process and to the performance.
As one member of The Park Theatre commented: "A trip to New York City for 2 would cost $500; theatre tickets would be $400. Shakespeare free on the lawn of the Jaffrey Civic Center - that's priceless!"
