Well, we are back up on stage here at the Elkhart Civic Theater doing something a little bit new for this particular theater.

We're bringing in Shakespeare, and I'm so excited for you guys doing this.

I have some friends here with me and that you and I have met before.

Yes, yes.

Okay, okay.

I recognize you in front.

Thank you so much for joining us.

You're one of the actors as well.

Midsummer night's dream.

I mean, bringing Shakespeare to this stage and at.

Tell me a little bit what what that looks like because this hasn't been done.

Maybe ever.

I think maybe not ever.

Here.

Yeah, except for some things with some kids.

Some fun bits with kids.

But, yeah, it's, It's been so exciting.

I love Shakespeare, I just, I always have, and so it's, it's just a joy for me to see this go on stage and, Yeah.

So what?

It looks like it's just a lot of work.

Like we started back in December.

Just working with the language so that we can make sure that, that it's not scary for anybody, that it's very easily understood and accessible.

And are you guys doing it kind of more of a traditional format?

Are there any different unique changes that you're making?

Really all we're doing is just doing it in modern dress.

And so just, you know, modern, modern, gestures or, you know, things like that.

Yes.

And more of that.

Yeah.

Exactly, exactly.

Yeah.

Perfect.

Okay, so you guys doing this, tell us a little bit about and what is your role?

I'm Oberon, king of the fairies.

King of the fairies.

Okay.

There's a lot of magic in this story line too, right?

For those people who maybe aren't as familiar with them in Midsummer Night's Dream, tell us a little bit more about what the story is all about.

Yeah, well, I'll tell the story from Oberon perspective on that.

All right.

Okay.

Yes.

Yeah.

Titania has something that I want, and she's not giving it to me.

Titania is the queen.

Of course, my spouse.

And and we're fighting about it, and it's causing all kinds of problems in the human world.

Causing ruckus, causing a ruckus.

Right?

So there's there's a whole variety of things that Oberon tries to do.

Some of these are geared toward getting Titania to give him what he wants.

And some of these are geared toward seeing humans stumbling into the fairy world and, and sort of playing with them and well-meaning but not entirely effective ways.

Now, I have to ask you, based on your own personal relations outside of the theater, like, how are you drawing from that to pull it into your character?

Oh my goodness.

Well, okay, so my parents, when I was a kid, we would often say things like, well, she started it.

Yes.

Right.

And the response was always, well you can stop it.

Oh, I love it.

Like, I'm, I'm very much drawing on that.

Although although it's directed at Titania, like, yeah, you can stop it, right.

You know, you should have to do it.

I get it, I get it.

And now how many people are in the cast for this one?

There are 21, 21, 22.

Okay, so, I could say it's cast.

Yeah, because it's actually not all about the fairies.

Okay.

All right, give us the rest of the, the story.

Well, it's also about some lovers, so it's about there's, Theseus and Hippolyta who have had just a battle, which in our play is just a corporate battle.

But they've fallen in love, and they're getting married.

But then there's these four young lovers, who are all in love with each other in varying degrees.

And, Hermia and Lysander want to get married, but Hermia, mom wants her to marry Demetrius instead.

So they run off into the woods.

Demetrius follows them.

Helena, who's in love with Demetrius, follows him.

And then, Yeah, they inadvertently put themselves under the power of the fairies, who kind of mess everything in the magic, High jinks ensue.

Yeah.

And there's also a group called.

We call them the Rude Mechanicals.

They're a bunch of people.

Just.

Just basic work, working people who are trying to put on a play.

They've never done anything like this.

Play a play?

Yeah.

Yep.

In honor of Theseus wedding day.

And, they come out into the woods to practice the play, and, the fairies kind of mess with them a little bit.

Hey, what do you think some of the bigger challenges in kind of balancing, you know, the romance, the comedy and the magic in in your direction?

Yeah.

So the, you know, when I was in high school, I remember them telling my teacher, telling me Shakespeare's comedies aren't meant to be funny.

They're just they just need to have a happy ending.

But let me tell you, that's not true.

Like this.

You know, finding the humor throughout to play like the Rude mechanicals are supposed to be kind of a comic relief, but.

But actually, everybody is comic relief, you know?

I mean, there's just fun all the way through, and that definitely, I would say is more important than the romance.

The romance takes a second seat.

But but it is still there.

And, you know, hopefully you'll be rooting for everything to work out for the lovers.

If you guys have a beautiful set going on back here, I know you guys always do a great job with this too.

How has it been working with us?

And I know you guys are opening this weekend.

This is exciting.

So how has it been to actually be on the stage with the set?

Yeah.

It's great.

It's easy to use.

It's, it's effective.

I think there's we're doing fun interactive elements with the set.

So the performers are engaging with set pieces.

And Shakespeare traditionally is like round style, right?

Like, isn't that traditionally Shakespeare more of a thrust I think.

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah, yeah.

But I mean, we have a little bit of an extension, but we can't really do thrust here, but you incorporate it nonetheless, right.

And it's great to be out there.

Tell us how it is.

Is this your first time doing any theater performances here with Elkhart?

Oh, no, I've done I've done things here.

You have.

Okay, so tell us what.

If anybody out there has never auditioned or volunteered here, what do you want them to know about this experience?

Yeah, it is real easy and real friendly.

Like that's at least that's been my experience.

I think that auditions are actually fun, not threatening, which is, a wonderful experience.

Just it feels like you're just sort of hanging out and doing a thing that is enjoyable.

I think volunteering is easy to get into.

I'm also, a volunteer coordinator of sorts.

So, like, if you see people who are ushering for the show, it's because I asked them to do it and they said yes.

So they might be contacting you then if they want.

I love right.

Yeah.

Okay.

Very good to know.

Very good to know.

Well, now this stage is happening this weekend.

And tell us when the performances are happening.

So they'll be, Friday and Saturday, the 20th and 21st and then the following weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, the 27th, 28th and March 1st.

Okay.

And of course, how do people get their tickets?

By calling the box office.

I have org and this is going to be a big deal for you guys doing the first time you're doing Shakespeare here at Elkhart Civic Theater.

You know, what do you think the audience is going to how are they going to perceive this?

Like how are they going to take it in and run with it?

Yeah, I just really hope that they come here and they say, you know what?

I thought Shakespeare was intimidating and stuffy and boy, it is not.

It is fun and accessible.

It is.

And is this particular story, would you say it's family friendly or is it more geared towards like a 13 and up?

Oh, that's a really good question.

That's a good question.

It depends on what funny we find.

I mean, yeah, Shakespeare does get a little bit, you know, more off color humor.

I would say that's a good word for it.

Okay.

So, you know, parents and parents, a decision on that one.

All right.

Well, thank you guys so much for showing us a little bit of that.

And I think maybe we if we have some photos or our video to share, we'll, we'll see some of that here.

Now too.

Oh.

Awesome.

Right.

We are putting rafters from upstairs, so I'll follow you.

I'll leave you with that wrap through ball through bush break through Brier sometime.

I guess I'll be such.

How a half?

I had to spare some time of fire and play.

And fire.

And grabbed it raw and burned.