A Midsummer Night’s Dream at MTU

Visual and performing arts have always been a significant part of Michigan Tech’s art legacy. What that means for budding performers and art enthusiasts is the opportunity to be involved in many different art forms, such as visual art installations and works inside or outside the art studio, performances by one of eight student instrumental and vocal ensembles, acting or working backstage in Tech Theatre productions, or working with live or recorded sound. It also entails some exceptional performances for art aficionados to enjoy. The Rozsa Center for Performing Arts, a vital element of this ensemble, is all geared up to host yet another jaw-dropping theater event: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” This remarkable play by William Shakespeare will be performed on April 12, 13 and 14. An exciting weekend awaits!

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a comic piece written by William Shakespeare towards the end of the 16th century, in 1595 or 1596. It is a humor- and versatility-packed portrayal of the events surrounding the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to Hippolyta, the former queen of the Amazons. It also includes the journey of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors, historically referred to as the mechanicals for their occupation as skilled laborers. Most parts of this popular play are set in a Greek forest where some Greek fairies reside and control the activities of the mechanicals. The original play includes several significant characters including Egeus, an Athenian, his daughter Hermia, Lysander, Hermia’s lover and the ever-interesting Puck with magic powers found in English mythology, among others.

The iconic play has been subject to both appreciation and criticism for over 400 years now, with the earliest written evidence of a critic addressing the play found in Samuel Pepy’s diary. However, the play continues to garner growing attention from production houses across the globe mainly due to its central theme: love. This specific work has also received several varied adaptations including literary adaptations like Terry Pratchett’s book “Lords and Ladies” (1992), a parody of the play, film adaptations like the 2015 “Strange Magic,” many musical versions and even some TV productions.

The play is easily one of Shakespeare’s most popular works for the stage and continues to be widely performed across the world. Collaborative efforts from artisans in makeup, costume, and set design, costume shop crews, tech crews, directors, actors and many others have developed a distinctive world of lovers, fairies, and rude mechanicals. At the Rozsa, established artists will bring to life this timeless piece with an investment of countless hours, endless energy, and authentic love for the performing arts. The tickets are priced at $15 for adults, $6 for youth and no charge for students with the Experience Tech Fee. Tickets can be bought online at the Rozsa Center website or over the phone by contacting the ticketing office at (906) 487-2073. The performance will be held in the Rozsa Center at 7:30 p.m. on April 12, 13, and 14.