A Midsummer Night’s Dream Presented by the Theatre and Dance Departmentat Richard F. Celeste Theatre

This production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is set in Appalachian Athens, Ohio, in 2012, during the height of contemporary music festival culture, a moment defined by utopian longing, economic precarity, the end of the Mayan calendar (and perhaps the world), and the promise of escape through art. This adaptation treats the chaos of Midsummer not as harmless mischief, but as a reflection of systems that confuse desire, manipulate consent, and profit from disorientation. At the same time, it honors the genuine joy, connection, and creative risk that festivals can hold. Adapted and directed by Shannon R. Davis, Assistant Professor in Theatre and Dance, this production invites audiences to see Shakespeare’s comedy as a story about power, labor, love, and land, and to consider who benefits from the dream, who bears its aftermath, and what it means to wake up after the music stops. Join us for this magical romp through the forest festival, featuring 28 student actors and a HUGE support team and crew. Student groups from around campus featured on certain nights; see schedule for details.