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MIDSUMMER IN MIDSUMMER
---Wendi Dowst, Eagle Times, June 15, 2006 Six high energy actors (playing Shakespeare's "mechanicals") utilize strong physical theatre, running onto the stage at almost every entrance. (More)
COMING SOON: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
---Alex Hanson, Valley News, June 20, 2006 Although this production features nine Equity actors from all over the Northeast, many of the elements that lend magic to the play were made in the Upper Valley. (More)A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM TO BENEFIT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
---Richard Radford, The Vermont Standard, June 22, 2006 Non-profit theatre company to donate a portion of tonight's opening night proceeds to the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD). (More)PRO SHAKESPEARE THIS WEEKEND AT LOH
---Kristen Senz, Connecticut Valley Spectator, June 22, 2006 In addition to its acclaimed theatre productions, NESE puts strong emphasis on educational outreach. (More)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: James Sears* (Puck).
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
MIDSUMMER IN MIDSUMMER
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During a rehearsal last week, the actors who play Shakespeare's "mechanicals" performed the scene with high
melodramatic energy, running onto the stage at almost every entrance and utilizing strong physical theatre.
Sean Eastman, playing Snug the Joiner and the rag-tag company's "Lion," moved with an engaging lifelike lion
stroll. Scott Sweatt, playing Starveling the Tailor and representing the moonshine, played his lines once in
a nervous voice which was endearing, but when he tried a mad frustrated tone the monologue became marvelously
amusing. Jeff Berry, playing Nick Bottom, the Weaver and the leader of the unrefined acting troop, held the
stage with a resonating voice and jolly smile. Berry is one of nine Equity actors hired for the production.
Though he acts without the clumsiness or arrogance of his character, Berry said he shares many traits with
Bottom. "He's a ham. Every actor is to a certain extent. He has great enthusiasm for everything," he said.
"Everything he's doing he's gung ho, whether he's bouncing through the forest or excited about the play.
He emphasizes a positive outlook. Um, he has a donkey head and I have a donkey head," Berry added with a
smile. No matter which head or hat he wears, Berry said he's happy to be acting up north amid the trees
and mountains. Director John Goodlin said the idea of beautiful New England was what convinced Berry to
audition for Midsummer. "I asked him if he would like a respite from New York," Goodlin said. "I think
that was the word that got him up here - respite." For the cast, Goodlin auditioned Equity, non-Equity,
local and regional actors.
---Wendi Dowst, Eagle Times, June 15, 2006 (Next Article) (Headlines) |
COMING SOON: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Although the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream that opens Thursday night features nine Equity actors from all over the Northeast, many of the elements that lend magic to the play were made in the Upper Valley. Director John Goodlin sought to make a strong visual impression and sought out White River Junction costume designer Robina D'Arcy-Fox, set designer Carolyn Enz Hack of Thetford Center and choreographer Ruth Mayer of Lebanon's City Center Ballet. White River Junction mask maker Gabriel Q designed the donkey's head worn by Bottom the weaver through the middle of the play. "What we're going to do is bring Shakespeare to life," Goodlin said. He called A Midsummer Night's Dream "Shakespeare's most popular comedy. It's a beautiful play, a beautiful lyrical play," he added. D'Arcy-Fox has sent costumes to Carnevale in Venice and the Edinborough Fringe Festival. Hack has designed sets for the Seattle Opera, among other companies, and Mayer has worked with such acclaimed dancers and choreographers as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Twyla Tharp. Goodlin said [Shakespearean comedy] makes for a better introduction to the still-young company's audience. Expect a tragedy sometime in the next couple of years. ---Alex Hanson, Valley News, June 20, 2006
(Next Article) (Headlines) (Prev Article)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: James Sears* (Puck).
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM TO BENEFIT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
"I think we're really going to knock people's socks off with this production," said Patricia Denny, NESE Board member. "We want people to know they can expect the same level of quality [from a NESE production as they expect] from a performance in Boston, Montreal, or New York." Denny said she is confident NESE will accomplish its goals. "In order to have good theatre, it's absolutely essential to have three things: a terrific story, a good storyteller, and a good audience. It's important to have the highest quality of all three ingredients. As far as the story goes, Shakespeare wrote the best plays in the English language. The storytellers come in the form of our actors, all first rate and passionate in their dedication, classically trained actors of the very finest quality. In terms of audience, the Upper Valley is a wonderful venue for us. There are certainly a lot of supporters of the arts in the area. We see [the opening night benefit for CHaD] as a win-win situation, not only to help young people, but also to spread the word about NESE."
---Richard Radford, The Vermont Standard, June 22, 2006
(Next Article) (Headlines) (Prev Article)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: James Sears* (Puck).
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
PRO SHAKESPEARE THIS WEEKEND AT LOH
With a strong emphasis on educational outreach, NESE gave away dozens of complimentary tickets and organized theatre workshops at six schools this past year, getting students out of the classroom and onto the stage, or at least into the audience. Now with a home base in Lebanon, the theatre company plans to expand its educational programs, possibly to include a competition among students from different schools, said NESE Board member Morris Edwards. NESE's goal is to reverse the effects of the all-too-common negative reaction to Shakespeare that many young people experience. "A lot of people have an unfortunate experience with Shakespeare at a young age, and it takes a while for them to come back," Edwards said. "We want to show them the wit and the wisdom" of Shakespeare's timeless works. Morris said NESE has the community to thank for its generous support of its mission.
---Kristen Senz, Connecticut Valley Spectator, June 22, 2006
(Headlines) (Prev Article)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: James Sears* (Puck).
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
