"A Midsummer Night's Dream" at St. Albans High School - Dec. 16th

Academy of Arts at January’s presents: "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

Students at the Teays Valley academy are rehearsing for their debut version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” to be presented on Dec. 16, 2:00 pm, at St. Albans High School. The show is directed by Kathi Curtis, who is an instructor at the Charleston academy.

Dancers will perform the story to music composed by Felix Mendelssohn, recorded by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. “Our version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ will run just under 30 minutes, a perfect length to introduce young theatre patrons to Shakespeare!” says Kelly Reese, Assistant Director for the show and academy instructor.

Select lines from the play by William Shakespeare will also be performed by five of the dancers. “Performing lines from the play are giving our dancers an exciting way to round out their performance skills and a familiarization with Shakespeare’s work.” explains Curtis. “I am also excited that our dancers were able to work with local choreographers, Maggie Ryder and Leah Summers in addition to Kelly Reese and myself.”

The cast comes from both the Charleston and Teays Valley academies and range in age from 6 to 16. Oberon’s fairies are danced by; Emma Webb, Erica Robinson, Lainey Mann, Karlie Franson, Ashlyn Clay, Kate Adkins and Norah Carroll.

The Rustics (a rowdy group of craftsmen who are preparing a silly play) are danced by; Lilly Downey, Brooke Hill, Madison Smith, and Alexis Callahan with Lilliana Vincent dancing the role of Nick Bottom who famously is transformed into the head of a donkey by the mischievous Puck, danced by Brezza Searles.

The Athenian couples who become lost in the woods are Jianna Zuniga dancing as Hermia who is in love with Lysander, danced by Jayden Keith. Keleigh Simpson portrays as the heartbroken Helena and Kennedy Kirk as the love-torn Demetrius.

The changeling child that Oberon and Titania quarrel over is portrayed by Paige Kelly. King Oberon is danced by Henry Leef and Queen Titania is danced by Emma Gress. Titania’s attendants, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mustardseed, Moth and Moonbeam are danced by Carmen Bartilson, Grace Knapp, Grace Foster, Melanese Benjamin and Kennedy Kirk

January Wolfe, the Artistic Director of the Academy adds, “We are looking forward to presenting this inaugural concert by our Teays Valley Academy to the Putnam and Kanawha County communities!” Local schools may contact us for a presentation free of charge at Januarys.office@gmail.com. Tickets are $15 at the door. https://www.januarysacademy.co...

Photos:

Photo 1 (L to R): Henry Leef as "Oberon" and Emma Gress as "Titania."

Photo 2 (L to R) Brezza Searles as "Puck" in background; Kate Adkins and Ashlyn Clay as "Sleeping Fairies."

Photo 3 (L to R): Madison Smith, Brooke Hill, Lilly Downey (in back); Alexis Callahan (in front), as "Rustics" sleeping in the forest.

Photo 4 (L to R): Kennedy Kirk as "Demetrius" and Keileigh Simpson as "Helena."

Photo 5 (L to R): Jayden Keith as "Lysander" and Jianna Zuniga as "Hermia."