Spring has arrived at LM and with it, the LM Players have once again transformed the school stage into a world of imagination, laughter, and pure theatrical delight. This season’s production, the timeless Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is set to enchant audiences with its whimsical tale of star-crossed lovers, mischievous fairies, and a troupe of hilariously hapless actors.
As described on the LMSD website, the play invites viewers to “step into a world of enchantment in this timeless Shakespearean comedy, written in the mid-1590s. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the lives of Athenian lovers become entangled with mischievous forest fairies. With mistaken identities, magical mishaps and a troupe of bumbling actors, it all leads to a whimsical celebration for Theseus, Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons!”
Written in the mid-1590s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. Set in ancient Athens and an enchanted forest, the play follows four young lovers, a troupe of amateur actors, and a group of mischievous fairies who wreak havoc on everyone’s plans—intentionally and otherwise. The result is a whirlwind of love triangles, magic potions, identity swaps, and plenty of comic confusion, all culminating in a joyful celebration.
This is the first time the Players have tackled a full Shakespearean production since before the pandemic, and the cast and crew embraced the challenge head-on: “It has been really cool to watch the Players company take on the challenges that come with A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” said AJ Higgins ’26. “This is the first time we have produced a Shakespeare show since before the pandemic, but this stopped no one from putting their all into this show!”
For many involved, the experience of working on this classic piece of theater proved to be both a learning opportunity and a personal triumph. Artemis Snyder ’28, who played both Francis Flute and Egeus, reflected on the difficulties of memorizing Shakespeare’s language. “Shakespeare is SO SO SO SO SO hard to memorize,” they shared. “But I made a Quizlet to remember my lines.”
The challenges didn’t stop there. From mastering vocal techniques to navigating elaborate costuming, every role requires dedication, teamwork, and creativity. Snyder mentioned spending a lot of time mastering “how to keep [their] voice extremely high consistently and healthily.”
The production’s success was due in no small part to the strong sense of community and collaboration that the LM Players are known for. Whether it was a wig falling off in the final scene of the dress rehearsal, the team found joy in the process and pride in the results.
“Doing bows during final dress rehearsal and just watching it all come together” was a particularly proud moment, said Snyder, noting the satisfaction of seeing everyone’s hard work culminate in a cohesive, magical performance.
And while the characters may have come from the pages of a 16th-century script, the connections formed behind the scenes were very much alive and present-day.
For those nearing the end of their time with the Players, this show was especially meaningful.
“This is my eleventh show in Players,” said Emilia Feaster ’25, who played Helena. “It has been really exciting to challenge ourselves with Shakespeare and take on such a different production from what we are used to… This cast was on the smaller side, so it was super easy to get close with everyone and have a lot of fun during rehearsals. It was a great final show and I’m really proud of what the production ended up being.”
Shout-outs were also in abundance, as cast and crew members took time to appreciate each other’s efforts and friendships.
“Dylan Knight is so unbelievably funny and Charlie McCauley has taught me a lot of useful skills,” Snyder shared. “Also shout-out to Miriya Vargas and Amelia Candeub for dealing with my insanity.”
From learning to use movement more effectively on stage to developing a deeper appreciation for Shakespearean theater, every participant walked away with something new.
As the LM Players prepare for their next year, and graduating seniors reflect on their past involvement, this production stands as a reminder of what theater can do: challenge, entertain, and unite. With their rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Players not only honored Shakespeare’s legacy but also reinforced their own—one of passion, inclusivity, and boundless creativity.
