USC Upstate Performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Katie Casteel
Staff Writer
The USC Upstate Shoestring Players put a 1940s twist on a classic Shakespeare comedy, as they performed their first play of the school year “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The actors performed each night starting Oct. 3 and ending Oct. 6 with a Sunday afternoon performance.
The light and playful performance kept the audience chuckling through the entire show. The stage was set in Athens and brought the mortal people of the Greek city together with the fairies and immortal creatures of the forest. The immortal characters caused mix-ups and mischief throughout the performance. This led to confusing and humorous conflicts between the people of Athens.
The show featured four lovers: Hermia, played by Andrea Azumendi; Lysander, played by Chris Smith; Helena, played by Stephanie Ibbotson; and Demetrius, played by Townsend Reynolds. The four were in conflict throughout the show, fighting over who loved whom, with a little magical influence here and there from the sneaky fairies.
The immortals of the forest also caused a little trouble for the everyday workers of Athens, who were taking a shot at becoming actors. The “mechanics” of Athens set out to put together a play to perform for the Duke of Athens on his wedding day. Although the performance for the Duke was a little chaotic, it was definitely entertaining.
The conflicts between the immortals and the people of Athens entertained the audience throughout the show.
The set was beautifully put together with scenes of a majestic forest. It was key in helping the audience feel the magic the mortals of Athens experienced in the forest.
The hard work and long nights the Shoestring Players endured surely paid off with several successful performances, which left the audience gasping for breath. Be sure to look out for the Shoestring Players’ next performance, “Six Degrees of Separation” by John Gaure, which begins Nov. 14.
Cast & Crew
Andrea Azumendi – Hermia
Chris Smith – Lysander
Stephanie Ibbotson – Helena
Townsend Reynolds- Demetrius
Will Patterson –Theseus
Sarah Hurley – Hippolyta
Eric Makowski – Egeus
Robert Wendover- Philostrate
Chandler Crawford – Nick Bottom
Ryan Barry – Peter Quince
Joseph Butler – Francis Flute
Chauncey Meeks – Tom Snout
Vincent Allsbrook – Snug
Zoe Sneed – Robin Starvling
Josh Wilson – Oberon
Hayden Bishop – Titania
Juan Williamson – Puck
Dakota Capps – Fairy
Esther-Irene Egan – Fairy
, Alexis Jeter – Peaseblossom
Garret Gibson – Cobweb
Alastair Mann – Mote
Channin Pettit – Mustardseed
Mitchell Lodmell – Changeling Boy
Herbert Johnson – Guest of Athens
Paul Miller – Guest of Athens
Megan Pridemore – Guest of Athens
Sydnie Stroble – Guest of Athens
Lee Neibert, assistant professor of theatre at USC Upstate and director
