Crook County is set to get another dose of theatre through the high school theatre department’s Shakespeare in the Park, reprising their spring play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream on August 23 and 24 at 7 p.m.
“I’ve always loved outdoor theatre, especially Shakespeare in the Park. My students put on a terrific production of ‘Midsummer’ this past February that was the most well-attended CCHS drama production in years. Combine all of that with this cool, underutilized amphitheater we have in town, and it just felt like an exciting opportunity to revive the show. Thankfully Andrea Weaver at Parks & Rec liked the idea,” said director and Crook County High School theatre teacher Nathaniel Dunaway.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the story of two couples who run away to elope and the supernatural fairies they encounter in the woods along their way. The fairies use magic to make both boys fall in love with the same girl, and comedic chaos ensues. Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors are rehearsing a play in the woods at the same time, and they get mixed up in the chaos when the fairies turn the obnoxious lead actor into a donkey, and the fairy queen falls in love with him.
The show is set, like the spring production, in the depression-era southern united states, and will include live music from a local bluegrass band.
“Most of the cast is returning, but a few students have either left for college or gotten full time jobs, things like that, so there’s been some shuffling,” said Dunaway. “I think the biggest change is that I will be acting in this version of the show, and so will my partner Shannen Brouner, who is the librarian at CCMS. That will be fun to perform alongside my students for the first time.”
The event is free, but the group will be selling concession and donations will be accepted to support the Prineville music theatre camp, which performed Shrek the Musical for their 15th year of performances this summer.
“That camp is such a gift to this community, and to my department at CCHS, since kids age out of the camp and right into high school drama. I think 10 of the cast members of ‘Midsummer’ are alums of PMTC. Prineville is lucky to have a summer opportunity for our kids like that, but it only exists on grants and fundraisers,” said Dunaway.
The event is set for Friday, August 23 and Saturday August 24 at 7 p.m. in the Crooked River Park Amphitheater. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
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