Due to the popularity of the Rogers State University Theatre production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” two additional shows were added.
The play will be held at 7:07 p.m. Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9 in the Will Rogers Auditorium on the RSU campus in Claremore.
RSU Theatre saw record attendance Friday night when more than 200 people filled the audience for the production, making that show the best-attended performance in the Theatre Program’s five year history, said Dr. Greg Thompson, head of the RSU Department of English and Humanities and director of the play. More than 500 people attended the performances last week and Thompson said he received calls asking for additional performances.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a light-hearted comedy that follows two couples as they race at cross purposes through an enchanted forest outside Athens in search of love.
The play has been altered to a shorter running time of 90 minutes, according Thompson. The editing was conducted by RSU students enrolled in Thompson’s “Speaking Shakespeare” class at RSU last fall.
In addition, RSU Theater will be holding a silent auction of signed play posters to benefit The Student Theatre Organization, the Renaissance Club and a local charity.
The play is one of Shakespeare’s most popular works for the stage and is widely performed across the world. The play is filled with slapstick, suspense, music, dancing and Shakespeare’s lyric poetry, Thompson said.
The costumes for the play include updated versions of the Renaissance period costumes, Thompson said. Renee Cox, RSU English instructor, created the costumes, and David Blakely, RSU theatre coordinator, developed the sets.
Cast members include Kaitie Bryan and Hannah Westlund of Owasso, Katie Hendrickson and Traci Rainwater of Pryor, Ashlee Overton of Oologah, David Prock and Colter Sharon of Collinsville, Nikki Forehand, Joshua Thompson, and Daron Wright of Claremore, Hannah Harris of Blanchard, Okla., Rebeccah Jordan of Hawkins, Texas, and Ray Gooldy of Tulsa.
Tickets will be $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, free to all students with student ID, and free to RSU faculty and staff members, and will be available at the Will Rogers Auditorium box office.
For more information, call (918) 343-7659 or (918) 343-7740.