Shakespeare Kennesaw – KSU presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Published June 14, 2018

Kennesaw State University is proud to announce a new summer Shakespeare company developed by the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies: “Shakespeare Kennesaw.” The first play, scheduled for mid-June, is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to be performed under the stars at the outdoor Legacy Gazebo Amphitheater on the Kennesaw campus. The Gazebo will be transformed into an Elizabethan outdoor playhouse for the production, one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays.

Directed by Rick Lombardo, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, the play portrays the events surrounding the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to Hippolyta, the former queen of the Amazons. These events include the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors, who are controlled and manipulated by the fairies who inhabit the forest.

A Shakespeare scholar will deliver a nightly pre-show introduction to the play at the venue at 7:30 p.m. Patrons may purchase VIP tickets close to the stage with tables and chairs provided, or may purchase general admission tickets to sit on the tiered lawn on blankets or low-backed beach chairs. Picnicking is highly encouraged, and there will also be concession options.

“An outdoor, summer professional Shakespeare theatre substantially adds to the cultural life of the region, and we are thrilled that KSU is a cultural center for our friends and neighbors in the community. ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is one of Shakespeare’s happiest comedies, featuring crossed loves, fairy spells and strange transformations. I hope that patrons will bring family and friends and enjoy a spectacular evening,” said Patty Poulter, Dean of the College of the Arts.

Lombardo said, “We developed ‘Shakespeare Kennesaw’ to bring powerful and engaging outdoor, professional productions of William Shakespeare’s work to metro Atlanta. We believe these plays can bring together our diverse community to explore our common humanity. We do this work by bringing together the finest talents in our region working alongside Kennesaw State University faculty, alumni, and our undergraduate intern company.” The actors include local professional favorites, several of whom are members of Actors Equity Association.

The play will be performed June 13-16 and June 20-23, Wednesdays through Saturdays, at 8 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, performances will move indoors to the Stillwell Theater, or patrons may exchange their ticket(s) for a different outdoor performance date. Ticket prices range from $10 to $27 and may be purchased at ticketing.kennesaw.edu or by calling 470-578-6650.

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About KSU College of the Arts: The College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University offers nationally accredited academic programs in music, music education, theater and performance studies, dance, visual arts, and art education. For more information, please visit arts.kennesaw.edu.

About KSU: A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 35,000 students. For more information, please visit kennesaw.edu.