On Stage

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Magic, merriment and the great outdoors

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Suspending disbelief is part and parcel of watching A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s classic tale of mistaken identity, magic and merriment. And, since there’s no better time to do so than when the sun still warms the earth on a regular basis, both Stone Town Theatre Works and Shakespeare Northwest are offering versions of the Bard’s work in the great outdoors in the coming two weeks. Stone Town’s Donald Drummond filled us in on what their take is on the tale.

Cascadia Weekly: Why did Stone Town Theatre Works choose A Midsummer Night’s Dream 
to produce?                                                                                                                        Donald Drummond: Having chosen to do an outdoor production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream seemed a natural choice. There are many themes in the play surrounding nature and most of the settings are outdoors. The performance location on the Carrot and Stick Community Workshop and Farm provides a perfect and very beautiful backdrop to the production that never could have reproduced indoors (on our budget).

CW: What are the challenges of putting on a play outside?                                                      DD: Outdoor productions come with many challenges, including weather and the fact that electricity is not easily accessible. These challenges, however, also create wonderful opportunities and experiences.

CW: The press release you sent notes this is an environmentally friendly production. Why is that important?                                                                                                                           DD: Most productions that I’ve experienced, while saving as many set pieces and other materials as possible, really create a lot of waste too. We’ve committed to creating many set pieces out of recycled materials and are utilizing lighting that is low impact. Being LED lights, all of our instruments combined use less power than a single 60-watt incandescent light bulb!

CW: How did you choose the locale for this show?                                                                 DD: When Heather first began to toy with the idea of creating low-impact lighting for an outdoor production, our friend and frequent collaborator, Ephraim Kurshewski (who also plays Oberon) suggested the organic farm that he runs and owns with his wife, Laura. It’s a breathtaking environment for outdoor theatre and is a relatively short drive from downtown Bellingham (about seven miles).

CW: What sets Stone Town’s version of this summertime classic apart
?               

DD: Director Heather Dyer 

has taken the play out of the Athens of ancient Greece and has transplanted it to the “Athens Family Farm” somewhere in the United States. in the mid-1930s. This creates some wonderful comic opportunities as well as set and costuming opportunities. This setting brings the play closer to the world that we live in while keeping it just far enough in the past to gel with Shakespeare’s heightened language.

CW: Why should people see this?                                                                                          DD: A Midsummer Night’s Dream 

tells a funny and enchanting story and is fun for 

the entire family. This production offers a unique opportunity to experience a wonderful piece of dramatic work in a gorgeous outdoor setting. We’re fortunate to have been able to assemble a talented and skilled company of players that are doing a wonderful job of telling this particular story. 

Recent Articles