The Department of Theatre Arts at SUNY New Paltz proudly presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” with performances Nov. 9-12 and 16-19 at McKenna Theatre on the New Paltz campus.
The production is directed by Lauren Bone Noble, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre Arts and a professional actress.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is full of magic, romance and trickery. Among all of William Shakespeare’s plays, it has stood the test of time as the one most likely, some 500 years after it was first performed, to lead audiences to (as Puck says) “hold their hips and loff.”
Set in an enchanted forest landscape, the play tells of whimsical interactions between four young lovers, a group of amateur actors, woodland fairies and a duke and duchess.
It has it all: star-crossed sweethearts, mythical creatures, the king and queen of fairies, a man turned half-donkey and a mischievous sprite causing trouble for everyone, on the stage and off it.
“This play is all about romantic love,” Noble said, “and what is more fraught, more exquisitely painful than romantic love? Underneath this very funny play is a rather heartbreaking message about love and loss, delivered by the lowest and most humble of characters.”
Performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be given from Nov. 9-11 and Nov. 16-18 at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19. All performances will take place at McKenna Theatre.
Tickets are $18 general reserve; $16 senior (62+), New Paltz faculty, staff, alumni and non-New Paltz students; and $10 for SUNY New Paltz students. Use this link to purchase tickets online.
Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Parker Theatre Box Office, beginning Oct. 30. The box office will be open Monday – Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This production is kid-friendly! Tickets for children 10 and under are no charge when they are accompanied by an adult.
For additional information call (845) 257-3880 or email boxoffice@newpaltz.edu.
A free pre-show panel with refreshments will be held on Friday, Nov. 10th at 6:30 p.m. in Parker Theatre. The conversation will be moderated by SUNY New Paltz faculty and K-12 teachers from the Hudson Valley Writing Project. Panelists will discuss how “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” speaks to our current cultural and political landscape, and what lessons the play holds for contemporary students of all ages.
About The Director
Lauren Bone Noble has been an Adjunct Lecturer at SUNY New Paltz since 2011. Two seasons ago she directed the Theatre Department’s gender-bent production of “Julius Caesar.”
In addition to teaching and directing, Lauren is a professional actress, part-time farmer and full-time mother of two delightful children.
