‘Midsummer’ comes in midwinter

Play is a collaborative senior project for YHS students

Lacey Rees - lrees@sierrastar.com

Six Yosemite High seniors are producing, directing and appearing in a production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for their senior project this year.

The production will be presented on Friday and Saturday, February 28 and March 1, and the following week on March 7 and 8. All shows are at 7 p.m. in the drama room at Yosemite High School. A Sunday matinee is set for 2 p.m. on March 2.

Tickets will be sold at the door for $4 for students and $6 for adults. Reservations can be made in advance by calling the YHS drama room at 683-4667, extension 256.

 

Each has a task

Each senior is essential to the production, and although each has special tasks, all six find themselves participating in other responsibilities to pull the production together.

Anna Tompkins, who plays Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazon, is in charge of publicity; producer Brook Bullock plays the part of fairy Peasblossom. Andrzej Zabicki, playing Puck, and Amber Kroll as Hermia are co-directing the production.

Ashley Newton is Helena, one of the lovers, as well as being in charge of hair and make-up. Jessica Knotts plays Titania, the fairy queen, and also coordinates the costuming. Additionally, Nick Cavin is in charge of the stage design, using it as his senior project, too.

The play is an abridged version of the entire play. The play was done years ago and several of the students knew the play well, says Anna Tompkins. “We always wanted to do it, so this was our chance.”

“[Among] all six of us, this is the best play we all could agree on,” she said, adding, “This play has fairies, lovers, mechanicals (comical characters).”

The costumes are being borrowed from local resident Carey Perreira, who is a mistress for a renaissance guild and does portrayals at renaissance fairs. Ms. Perreira and her costuming expertise is available to school and non-profit organizations.

Some of the costumes were also rented from a business in Fresno.

 

Open auditions

Open auditions were held for the play last November so scripts could be handed out to the major characters to study over the holidays. The six seniors, all fourth-year drama students, also did their cuttings of the script. Practices for the 23-person cast started in January with regular practices on Tuesday and Wednesday after school. As the show draws nearer, practice time is now five days a week.

Not all the actors are drama students. Justin Barigian, for instance, accompanied his girlfriend to the auditions and ended up with one of the major parts, that of the lover Demetrius. “I always wanted to be in a play,” he explains.

The stage now contains two large tree trunks, which were hauled to the drama room by Sierra Telephone and placed on the stage by Badger Towing using pulleys and ropes. “It was quite a lesson in physics,” says Lars Thorsen, drama teacher and advisor for the group. Actually, he says, “I’m here to make sure they’re safe,” as he sees Andrzej’s Puck climbing to the top of the trunk which is leaning several feet off the ground.

The six have anticipated any problems with the production from experiences of student-produced and directed plays and musicals in previous years. The most frustrating problem is not having students show up for practices, and “we appreciate the people who have taken the time and the commitment for this,” says Anna. She stresses that it is a completely volunteer production, with no grades from teachers involved.

So much has been put in on money, time, and making practices fit into everybody’s schedule, adds Brook.

The production has been made possible by several local businesses and the Vision Academy of the Arts. “There are not enough words to express our thanks and appreciation to all those who have contributed and helped in their efforts,” says Anna.