Theatre Department to put on elevated ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’

By Brit Allen, Active Media

According to Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) Artistic Director of Theatre Zach Hartley, it’s been possibly a decade since the department performed any works of Shakespeare on campus. So to bring the bard back to MHCC, and — of course — entertain, the department will produce “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in February. 

The theme for the department’s current season of shows is “elevate,” which Hartley is taking both figuratively and very literally. To shake up this popular Shakespeare play, Hartley plans to put fairies from the cast up in the air on silks and rings, rigging a very magical experience for the actors and audience alike. 

Further adding to the whimsy of this already fairly fanciful show, Hartley will also have dual pianos playing Felix Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” score.

“The language elevates the music and the music elevates the language, and then we elevate the actors,” Hartley explained. “It’s been my dream for a long time to do the Felix Mendelssohn score.” 

Auditions for the production were very well attended, but only a group of around 24 thespians were chosen. The piano accompaniment will be played by MHCC instructors Lauren Fraley and Kevin Lambert.

“I feel really good about one: getting these kids into Shakespeare, and two: also giving our musical faculty some opportunities to play these pieces not in a teaching capacity,” Hartley said. 

The production runtime is estimated at two hours with an intermission, and the show is said to be appropriate for all ages. In that same vein of accessibility, Hartley will have a screen with subtitles of the show running behind the performance for those with hearing impairments. 

The production will premiere at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, with 7 p.m. shows on Feb. 21, 27 and 28. There will also be two 2 p.m. matinee performances on Sunday, Feb. 22, and Sunday, March 1. 

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students, staff and seniors. To purchase a ticket and see MHCC elevate this classic comedy to new heights, visit tinyurl.com/mhcctheatre.