By Lauren Jurgemeyer
Theatre students at Ronald Reagan High School are working to prepare a virtual production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” that will be available for streaming on Oct. 22-24.
The award-winning Ronald Reagan High School Theatre Department, or Reagan Stage, routinely produces four to six shows per school year. Due to regulations put forth by the district and state, Reagan Stage has adapted and plans to perform its fall season virtually until further notice.
Like many professional, collegiate, and community theaters, Reagan Stage—the theatre department at Ronald Reagan High School—has adapted to the health and safety regulations put forth by the district and state.
Director Paul Fillingim and technical director James Kaiser have opted to stream the first fall show through their ticket vendor: BookTix. The directors and students are working tirelessly to film and edit a high-quality production using professional sound, lighting, and green screens.
“If anything, we have proven the old adage, 'the show must go on'” Kaiser said. “It may be a different form than what we are used to, but all we can do is adapt and move forward.”
Set in the ‘70s, this rendition of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” features bright, colorful costumes, backgrounds, and talented young actors. The directors are putting together a Brady Bunch-Esque show filled with royals, fairies, mechanicals, and groovy songs that are sure to entertain the whole family.
“Our goals for this production are three-fold,” Fillingim said. “One, to expand our students’ understanding of Shakespeare and his text. Two, to give students a new experience that will broaden their skillset and provide many of their first experience working in film. And three, to show our audiences that even though our circumstances have changed the quality of the Reagan Stage will remain the same.”
Reagan Stage’s production of Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” will be presented virtually on Oct. 22- 23 at 7:00 p.m. and Oct. 24 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Streaming passes for individuals and households are available through reaganstage.org or rrhssa.booktix.com.
Featured image and artwork by Lauren Jurgemeyer.