The Basics

Every fall, the Lafayette Theater Company (LTC) puts on a full-length production, chosen by theater teacher Natasha Toro. This year, the play will be A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.

It will take place on Oct. 26-28. On Oct. 26-27, curtain will be at 7 p.m. and on Oct. 28 curtain is at 2 p.m. Every show is held in the Theatre.

Tickets will cost $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

All of the actors and actresses will be speaking in classical Shakespearean and Elizabethan language.

“We’re keeping it traditional this time,” Toro said.

Senior Sierra Buffum will play Hermia, the lead female character.

When asked if the script was hard to memorize, Buffum said, “It’s hard because not all of the words are familiar but it’s easier because at least you have a lot of rhymes.”

The Plot

“The course of true love never did run smooth,” is one of the most famouse quotes from Act I Scene I of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This quote practically embodies the essence of the play and all of its twists and turns on the road to true love.

Each cast member has his or her own way of explaining the confusing plot.

“It’s really just a ball of wacky, craziness because it’s basically just couples chasing after each other and everyone falling in love with the wrong person and getting mad at each other for it,” Buffum said.

Others believe the plot is too twisted to even try to detangle.

“There’s a lot to it. I don’t think I could actually explain it in a couple words,” Toro said. “Basically, it’s a Shakespearean play about fantasies and fairies.”

Many students think they know the play becuase they have read it in language arts, but cast members say the play is a more interesting spectacle.

“Reading it in language arts, it was boring because it’s Shakespeare, but when it’s put to life, there’s so many actions that make the characters funny,” junior Kat Stinnett said.

Toro also believes students will be inclined to see the show because of its humourous nature.

“This is going to be very physically comedic so there are a lot of people falling, a lot of people running around screaming,” she said.

The Cast

A Midsummer Night’s Dream features many characters, which is one of the reasons that Toro chose this play in particular.

“It’s got a lot of characters, so I can put more kids on stage,” Toro said.

Here are the main characters, according to Toro:

Senior Sierra Buffum- Hermia

Junior Kat Stinnett- Helena

Junior Satchel Perry-Demetrius

Junior Garrett Thompson- Lysander

Junior Keveonte Mitchell- Bottom

Junior Hunter Windholz- Oberon

Junior Eimi Harris- Titania

Senior Wyatt Brunk- Theseus

Junior Jalyn Henderson- Hippolyta

“Helena is this dramatic wanna-be character and she wants to be like her best friend because she’s not as pretty and she just feels bad for herself,” Stinnett said.

Buffum plays Helena’s best friend, Hermia.

When asked about her character, she said, “She is really proud and willful because she wants to marry the guy she wants instead of the guy her mom wants her to marry.”

The Crew

A show is not a show without some other important people, the crew. There are many different people involved in the crew including a student director, a set manager, a costume designer and more.

“We won’t have a play if we don’t have them. They’re the most important part of this piece. I think I have about 20 or 25 [crew members],” Toro said.

Junior Courtney Geller is the student director.

“I basically advise Toro on different parts like blocking and stage directions. I also give advice,” she said.

Along with Toro, the cast members agree the Crew is just as important as the actors and actresses themselves.

“The crew is the most important part. They make the show happen. Without them we would be nothing,” Stinnett said.