.png)
Translated from William Shakespeare by Jeffrey Whitty
August 6 & 7
August 13 & 14
at 7:30pm in Solon Community Park
CHAGRIN ARTS IS GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF SO MANY!
Midsummer Sponsors
Season Sponsors
A Very Special Thank you to…
The City of Solon
Mayor Edward Kraus
Rich Parker, Director of Recreation
Tracy Sullivan, Director of Community & Cultural Enrichment
Dusten Welch, Jill & Neil Markey, Gary Gottfried, Chris White – for the beginnings.
Gabe Franklin - Chagrin Valley Jaycees
Vince Horvath
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Solon, Ohio
James Winterstellar, The Russell Flooring Co.
Patricia Haynish
And all those who helped make this production possible!
CONSESSIONS AVAILABLE BEFORE AND AT INTERMISSION
BY THE CITY OF SOLON RECREATION DEPARTMENT
"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."
- William Shakespeare
TONIGHT’S PERFORMANCE IS PRESENTED AS A GIFT TO OUR COMMUNITY BY OUR SPONSORS. YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TO CHAGRIN ARTS ENSURES THAT THIS KIND OF ARTS WITH A PURPOSE PROGRAMMING WILL ENRICH LIFE AND BRING INSPIRING ARTS PROGRAMMING AND STIMULATING CONVERSATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION OF YOUR APPRECIATION TO CHAGRIN ARTS AT THE TENTED TABLE. MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF AND BECOME INVOVLED WITH THE POWERFUL WORK THAT CHAGRIN ARTS DOES THROUGH THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE IN ALL ITS FORMS. THANK YOU!!
INTERVIEW
Chagrin Arts Pre Show Conversation: A Midsummer Night's Dream
DIRECTORS' NOTE
Our setting for A Midsummer Night’s Dream world is suffering from climate change and as a result, nature is suffering, all is out of order in the fairy kingdom.
It all begins with a King (Theseus) taking ownership of someone that is not his (Hippolyta) and telling Hermia that she must obey the law, specifically her father and that she has no right to choose.
Sound familiar? Shakespeare is still relevant after 400 years.This need by Theseus to control the women in his world, sets off a whole chain of events of Man Versus Nature and mayhem ensues. Love potions are used, abused and all is topsy turvy.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare, as adapted by Jeffrey Whitty draws us into a magnificent and terrifying series of dreams that involve falling in love with the wrong person, falling in love with an Ass and waking up to find that the world is upside down until it eventually rights itself with the help of some very mischievous fairies.
Our setting is the woods of Solon where you might find a conscientious fairy recycling your garbage, where homeless fairies wander beside their fairy Queen Titania and fairy King Theseus.
There will be music and dancing, there will be love unleashed, there will be friendships tested and there will be magic.
So sit back, let the stories of Oberon and Titania, Hippolyta and Theseus, the Four Lovers and the Rude Mechanicals unfold for you with the help of troublemaker Puck.
Allow Shakespeare and Whitty to question our troubled world and what happens when it is shaken to its core and control is lost…..Love steps in to save us all.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Translated from William Shakespeare by Jeffrey Whitty
ACT I
20 Minute Intermission:
ACT II
SYNOPSIS
January 1605,
William Shakespeare writes a play about a young woman who is told she has no choice by the King’s court of Athens.
July 2022,
The Supreme Court of North America tells a young woman the same thing.
Thankfully Shakespeare gave us an ending where she gets to choose
Come revel and dream of a better outcome for us all in
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, beautifully adapted for a modern audience by Jeff Whitty.
A Midsummer Night's Dream Team
Court of Athens
Theseus ( Also Plays Titania)- Carolyn Turner
Hippolyta ( Also plays Oberon)- Jasmine Renee
Egeus/ Fairy- Keith Rasey
Philostrate/Puck- Mary Sikorovsky
Lysander- Shane Thatcher
Hermia-Lucy Turner
Helena- Ryan Kacmar
Demetrius- Eric Golovan
Attendant- Rosie Horvath & Lyndsey Atlas Nielsen
Rude Mechanicals & Fairies
Peter Quince- Ava Mastrone
Nick Bottom- Cody Swanson
Francis Flute and Indian Boy- Atlas Lindsey Nielsen and Rosie Horvath
Tom Snout/ Peaseblossom- Hope Bolinger
Snug/2nd Fairy/Moth- TJ Hayes
Robin Starveling/ Mustard Seed/Understudy Bottom- Samuel Roter
ARTISTIC TEAM
DERDRIU RING
Director
A proud member of AEA and SAG, Derdriu is humbled to work with this astounding cast and crew. Her first equity role was Lucy in Dracula at The Cleveland Playhouse. Subsequently, she has performed in most local theaters and across the U.S. (The Guthrie Theatre, The Geffen Playhouse, Hartford Stage, Geva Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public Theatre and off-broadway at The Irish Repertory Theatre.) Derdriu has been awarded Best Actress by Cleveland Critics Circle three times and been Artist/Director In Residence at Cleveland School Of The Arts, The Academy, Kulture Kids and Playhouse Sq.
Film/TV: The Yank, Law & Order, C.I.
MARGE ADLER
Music Director
Musical arrangements, adaptations and compilation --
Copyright 2022 MARGE ADLER
Marge is relied upon by collaborators across North America for her eclectic approach and inventiveness as arranger/keyboardist, and was lauded by PLAIN DEALER critics as “a treasure with at least three hands.” www.musicbyadler.com
JOE BURKE
Lighting Designer
He is a visual designer for live performance specializing in projection and lighting design. His designs have been seen across the United States, ranging from theatre, exhibit, and music performance. Joe is also a creator of eye-catching visual effects, animations, and video content, He is a contributor to the black Box Guild, capturing and creating video for others to utilize in their production process. He is happy to have collaborated with all the designers for this production!
YESENIA REAL
Props / Set Designer
Yesenia Real is a freelance Prop Master and is so happy to have the opportunity to work with Chagrin Arts amd Solon Community for this run of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Yesenia has also done prop work for Dobama Theater and the Academy for the Performing Arts. Some notable works include Superior Donuts, Hand to God, Three Sisters, and Blithe Spirit.
ROBERTSON WALKER
Assistant Stage Manager
Robertson is excited to share the magic of A Midsummer Nights Dream with all in the audience. Robertson has previously done stage management and assisting stage management in productions such as 12th night and assorted concerts/private productions. Robertson’s other tech experience included spotlights, makeup and costumes management, and sound and lights engineering. Robertson is beyond ecstatic to return to his technical learning after a break to continue his previous acting work, and would like to thank everyone who contributed to make this production possible.
LIA SMIT
Lighting Technician
Lia is very excited to be a part of A Mid Summers Night Dream. She recently finished Solon High Schools production of We Will Rock You as assistant sound engineer and deck hand. When not working backstage, She enjoys reading and playing clarinet. She would like to thank her mom for always being supportive.
JEFFREY WHITTY
Translator, Play On Shakespeare
Jeffrey Whitty is a screenwriter, playwright, poet and performer. This year he received Best Adapted Screenplay honors for CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? (Fox Searchlight Pictures) by the Writers Guild of America, the Independent Spirit Awards, the Satellite Press Association and several more as well as Academy Award and BAFTA nominations. Musicals: the authentic pre-Broadway HEAD OVER HEELS (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, 2015), AVENUE Q (Tony Award Best Book, Best Musical), TALES OF THE CITY (Best Book, Bay Area Theater Critics), BRING IT ON (Best Musical Tony Nom) with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Amanda Green. Plays: THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF HEDDA GABLER, THE HIDING PLACE, THE PLANK PROJECT. Upcoming: FALLEN WOMAN, a true-crime playsical about his first cousin twice-removed (a famous burlesque dancer in the 1930’s), BAD FAIRY (a series for television), and several projects soon to be announced. MFA NYU Graduate Acting/Tisch.
APRIL ROCK
Costume Designer / Wardrobe
April Rock graduated with her Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Costume Design from Kent State University. April is the Resident Costume Designer/Shop Supervisor for both Lorain County Community College and The Academy for the Performing Arts in Chagrin Falls. She also works as a freelance designer throughout the greater Cleveland area. Recent costume design credits include Blithe Spirit, Three Sisters,Eurydice, and RENT! (The Academy for the Performing Arts); Shadow of the Runs Dreamwalkers; The Wizard of Oz and Matilda (Hawken School); and Lysistrata and James and the Giant Peach (LCCC Theatre).
RICHARD INGRAHAM
Sound Designer
Richard is a freelance Sound Designer, teacher, and AV Systems Designer. Richard has designed sound for numerous theatres, schools and attractions throughout the US including: Ashland University, Beck Center for the Arts, Baldwin–Wallace University, Cain Park, Carnegie-Mellon University, Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy, The Cleveland Play House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland State University, Dobama Theatre, The University of Evansville, Great Lakes Theater, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, Oberlin College, Playhouse Square and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Richard is also a consultant on the construction and renovations of theatres and to award winning software companies that create products for live event production including Stage Research and Richmond Sound Design.
SANTINO GAROFALO
Production Stage Manager
He is pleased to be making his Chagrin Arts debut. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton class of 2020 with his major in Theatre, Dance, and Performance Technologies. He has worked at Cleveland Play House for the past year and has had a blast working with the folks in Chagrin Falls and Solon. Santino would like to thank Derdriu Ring, Karen Prasser and his close friends for supporting the hard work and time everyone has put into this show.
DOMINIC CARLOZZI
Lighting Technician
Dominic Carlozzi is proud to be working with Chagrin Arts for the first time as a Lighting Technician. He has previously done We Will Rock You and Freaky Friday for Solon Drama Club, and can’t wait to get involved in theatre at BGSU.
PLAY ON SHAKESPEARE
LUE DOUTHIT
CEO and Creative Director
Play on Shakespeare
During her 25 seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Douthit oversaw a full service literary department as Director of Literary Development and Dramaturgy.
Play on! began in 2012 as a pilot program under her supervision. In 2019, she co-founded Play On Shakespeare with Dave Hitz. The company's mission is to better understand Shakespeare in performance for artists, educators, students, and audiences through contemporary, modern English translations.
At OSF, she was the Production Dramaturg for more than 50 productions, including 15 world premieres including: Hannah and the Dread Gazebo; Head Over Heels; Family Album; The Unfortunates; Throne of Blood; and Equivocation.
She has also worked on over two dozen Shakespeare productions. She is the co-adapter of a six-actor Macbeth and seven-actor Measure for Measure, which were both produced at OSF and elsewhere. She was the co-producer of the Black Swan Lab in 2009, going on to produce the lab from 2010 to 2016.
Douthit is the recipient of the 1999 Literary Manager & Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) Prize in Dramaturgy: The Elliott Hayes Award for her work on Lorraine Hansberry's Les Blancs.
She received a PhD at the University of Washington, an MFA from Trinity University, and an MA from University of Arizona.
CAST
HOPE BOLINGER
Tom Snout / Peaseblossom
Hope Bolinger is so excited to be in a show with Chagrin Arts. She has participated in 60+ shows in theaters in Ohio and Indiana, recent performances including Incognito (Miss Hildick), The Author’s Voice (Portia), and Antigone (Eurydice). She’d love to thank her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving her a love of the arts. You can find her accidentally writing a book in a week or getting lost in the Ohio national parks.
TJ HAYES
Sung / Fairy / Moth
TJ Hayes (Snug/Moth) is thrilled to be making his ChagrinArts debut! Recent credits include Playwrights Local, Convergence Continuum, Avenue Arts, Mapleside Farms, and Cleveland State University. TJ is an alum of CSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance, class of 2017 where he participated in many productions and had the opportunity to participate in shooting a promotional video for the department last summer. TJ will next be appearing as Montana in The Magnificent Spider-Man, an upcoming fan series. TJ thanks Derdriu for this wonderful opportunity. TJ also dedicates his performance to the memory of his Grandma and Grandpa.
ROSIE HORVATH
Francis Flute / Indian Boy / Cobweb / US* Puck / Attendant
Rosie is a rising 8th grader at Chagrin Falls Middle School. She studies violin at the Cleveland Institute Of Music and is also a Second Soprano with The Singing Angels. Rosie has done several shows in Chagrin Falls with Patricia Haynish. She has performed the National Anthem for The Guardians with Singing Angels and CIM. Earlier this year, Rosie was awarded 7th grade vocal musician of the year(CFMS), A Better World Award (Singing Angels), and a 1 in the OMEA solo and Ensemble contest. Rosie is super happy to be working with this cast and enjoys every single moment!
RYAN KACMAR
Helana
She is thrilled to be making her Chagrin Arts debut. She is a rising junior at The University of Southern California, majoring in theatre and minoring in songwriting. Credits include Carrie in Carrie: The Musical (Beck Center for the Arts), Cinderella in Into the Woods (Aurora High School), Witch in Into the Woods, Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein, and Maurya in Riders to the Sea (all Academy for the Performing Arts). She is honored to be directed again by Derdriu Ring.
ERIC GOLOVAN
Demetrius
Eric (he/him) is thrilled to be working with Chagrin Arts for the first time! He is a junior at Baldwin Wallace University where he is a part of the BFA Acting program and minors in Education. Recently, he performed in The Crucible (Judge Hathorne), The Modern Prometheus (Henry Clerval/Lord Byron), Macbeth (Seyton), Othello (Lodovico), and The Merchant of Venice (Tubal). He would like to thank Derdriu, Santino, Marge, Robertson, and the rest of the team for this opportunity and his friends and family for their endless support. Enjoy the show!!
LYNDSEY (ATLAS) NIELSEN
Francis Flute / Indian Boy /Cobweb / US* Puck / Attendant
Lyndsey is very excited to be making their Chagrin Arts debut! However, this isn’t her first time around chagrin. They have lived here for 8 years, and have been in school productions since! She’s pleased to announce she’ll be joining the Academy of the Performing Arts this August. Atlas very much wants to that Derdriu for supporting them throughout this production and allowing her to be a part of it! As well as their family and friends who support her through her acting career!
AVA MASTRONE
Peter Quince
Originally hails from Stamford Connecticut, and is thrilled to be a part of her first production with Chagrin Arts! She is a rising Junior Acting and Directing major at Baldwin Wallace University. Past Productions Included Men on Boats (Old Shady Understudy) The Modern Prometheus (Storyteller A/ Swing) and The Crucible (U/S Mercy, Betty, Susanna, Ann, Sarah). You can see Ava next in the role of Gabriella in Baldwin Wallace’s production of Boeing Boeing this September! She’d like to thank her family and friends for their constant support!
JASMINE RENEE
Hippolyta / Oberon
She is a multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated with a BFA in Dramatic Arts from The New School of Drama. Acting Credits include: Hamlet (Ophelia) with Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Dreamwalkers (Molly Walsh) with Shadow of the Run, Kentucky (Amy) at The New School of Drama, Othello (Duke of Venice) with No Man’s Land Theatre Co., and Twelfth Night (Feste) at The Academy of Performing Arts. Jasmine would like to thank Derdriur, Santino, Robertson, Marge and the entire cast for a wonderful rehearsal process. And Cody for being the absolute best support.
CODY SWANSON
Nick Bottom
Cody Swanson is ecstatic to be making his debut with Chagrin Arts! Cody has a BFA in acting and a minor in musical theatre from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At school, some of his favorite credits include “Kiss Me, Kate” (Gangster #1), and “The 39 Steps” (Clown #1). Favorite regional credits include “Young Frankenstein” (Igor), “Romeo & Juliet” (Mercutio), “Assassins” (Sam Byck), and “Bus Stop” (Carl). Thank you to my folks, and my fiancé, Jasmine Renee, for your constant love and support! Thank you to everyone who made this production possible! Enjoy, folks!
KEITH RASEY
Egeus / Fairy
Keith has over 50 years of experience walking, strolling and pratfalling on the boards of the theater. He has had many principal roles and many supporting roles , Martin in "An Enemy of the People" (2022), Detective J Du Preeze in "Statements ...." (2017), Dussel in "Anne Frank" (2016), Admiral Von Schreiber in "Sound of Music" (2019),and Lord Stanley in Richard III.in 2020. He has developed two one person presentations: US Civil War Chaplain Rev. James Shrigley, a Unitarian minister who advocated for reconciliation after the war, and Charles Dickens reading a condensed version of A Christmas Carol with Victorian era hymns sung between vignettes. Keith is delighted to be part of this wonderful cast and crew.
CAROLINE TURNER
Theseus / Titania
She is thrilled to be back for her third season with Chagrin Arts! She graduated with a BFA in Acting from Baldwin Wallace University in 2021 and is currently based in Lakewood. Previous credits include As You Like It (Celia/Amiens/William) and Macbeth (Lennox) with Chagrin Arts, Men On Boats (Goodman) and Painting Vincent (Jo/Margot/Anne) at BWU, and the educational tour of Hansel and Gretel (Gretel) with Spark Theatre 4 Youth. Thanks to Derdriu and the whole cast and crew for creating such a poignant and fun production! All her love to Liam, her parents, and everyone who has supported her throughout the years.
SAMUEL ROTER
Starveling / Mustardseed / US* Nick Bottom
He is excited to be doing a Shakespeare production live and in-person after two previous Shakespeare productions were claimed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He is currently a student at Muhlenberg College pursuing a B.A. in theatre and B.S. in chemistry. Recent productions include Everybody (Everybody) at Muhlenberg College, DreamWalkers (Pax) at Shadow of the Run, and The Importance of Being Earnest (Algernon) at the Academy for the Performing Arts. Samuel would like to thank you for supporting live theatre in an industry that has been hit hardest by the pandemic.
LUCY TURNER
Hermia
Lucy hails from Nashville, TN where she grew up a part of the theatre scene. Lucy is a BFA Acting major at Baldwin Wallace while also developing her own film production company, Burn to Shine Productions. Lucy is grateful to Derdriu for being a strong female role model in this process. She would like to thank her Mama, her biggest supporter, & Alex for pushing her to be her best. Catch Lucy as Daughter Type in Neighborhood 3 at Convergence Continuum later this August or as Detective Morris in Baldwin Wallace's production of The Nether this September. LucyDTurner.com
MARY SIKOROVSKY
Philostrate / Puck
Mary is thrilled to be making her Chagrin Arts debut! Mary hails from Shaker Heights, and is about to start her senior year at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, where she is pursuing a BFA in Acting. She would like to thank Derdriu Santino, Robertson, the entire cast, and crew, for making this such a wonderful show to work on. She would also like to thank her friends and family for supporting her. What fools these mortals be!
SHANE THATCHER
Lysander
Shane is from the Sandusky area and received his theatre degree from Baldwin Wallace University in the height of the pandemic. You may have seen him in various theatre and film productions at BW, or some of his directed work such as Painting Vincent. Later this year, Shane will be releasing a feature-length film, as well as a debut album, so keep an eye out! He is excited to make his Chagrin Arts debut and would like to thank Caroline for bringing him along, Derdriu for giving him a chance, and the cast/crew for a fun process.
*US = Understudy