A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. Performed by the Contra Costa Christian High School Dramatic Arts Program in the Knight's Stage Theater—Dean Lesher Center, Walnut Creek, CA, April 28 and 29, 2006.

Director’s Notes:
It often takes a while for our ear to become accustomed to Shakespearean language. Here’s a bit of starter on the story for your assistance. The play opens with a marriage of political alliance between Theseus, Duke of Athens, and Hypolita, Queen of the Amazons. As they are making plans to celebrate their upcoming nuptials, they are interrupted by Egeus who has brought her daughter (Hermia) to the Duke because she is refusing to marry her mother’s choice of suitors (Demetrius) and loves another (Lysander). The law of Athens requires that Hermia subject herself to her mother’s will or be put to death, or become a nun. The Duke gives Hermia four days to decide her fate. Lysander and Hermia decide instead to escape to The Forest of Athens and be married there. Helena, a friend of the couple’s who is in love with Demetrius, tells Demetrius of their plot, and they follow the couple into the woods. Meanwhile, a group of tradesmen (mechanicals) gather in the forest to practice a play they will perform for the Duke’s wedding. What none of these unsuspecting people know, however, is that the forest’s faerie world is in a flurry. Titania and Oberon, Queen and King of the Faeries, are feuding. Titania has refused to surrender an adopted changeling boy to Oberon. Oberon retaliates with a plot to apply a potion to her eyes that will cause her to fall in love with the first thing she sees. As all of these characters converge in the woods, what could Shakespeare possibly intend? Hmm....let us see. Robin Lynn Rodriguez, Director

Cast: Jessica Blommer O’Malley (Helena); Stephen Blommer O’Malley (Theseus/Oberon); Karin Bosma (Egeus/Quince); Matthew Burlingame (Snug); Robert Burlingame (Bottom); Angel Castillo (Hippolyta/Titania); Lindsey Cook (Puck); Caitlin Dunbar (Philostrate/Faerie); Jeremy Edwards (Demetrius); Jordan Frank (Faerie); Dena Nederhood (Hermia); Alex Park (Lysander); Andrea Samuelson (Faerie); Amanda Sadler (Flute); Gavan Wyrick (Snout).

Technical Support: Director: Ms. Rodriguez; Assistant Director: Breanna Head; Stage Manager: Melissa Bartlett; Set Manager: Robert Burlingame; Choreography: Jojo Frank (and Faerie).