Shakespeare play updated to modern Ripon, Wisconsin

Join the Ripon Summer Players for a unique take on a classic comedy as we present A Ripon Midsummer Night’s Dream. We have placed this hilarious tale in contemporary Ripon, Wisconsin. The rulers run the local government, the fairies live in South Woods, and each tradesperson represents and is sponsored by a local business. The words are Shakespeare’s; the location and the time is ours.

The large cast includes local residents, many of them with ties to Ripon College: Robert Amdsden, professor of theatre; Leah Simon, assistant professor of physics; Robin Woods, professor of English; Tom Truesdell, visiting professor of English; John Ingemann, admission counselor; Megan Gannon, assistant professor of English; Maic D’Agostino, academic support specialist; Sophie Widman ’18; Jim Tronoff; Tylor S. Loest, director of major giving; Aidan Schoff; Jack Christ, professor and director of leadership studies emeritus; Doug Northrop, Helen Swift Neilson professor of cultural studies emeritus; Helga Rikkers; Bryan Gerretsen ’03; Ann Pleiss Morris, assistant professor of English; Tyler Sturzl ’19; Linda DeCramer ’89; Jamie Dietz; Sam Ginkel ’19 and Melany Castillo ’19.

The crew includes Bev Christ; JaneMarie Erickson ’16; and Sarah McGowen. Ken Hill, professor of theatre, is the director.

A Ripon Midsummer Night’s Dream will open the Ripon Summer Players 20th season and run Friday, June 3, through Saturday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, June 5, at 2 p.m. in Benstead Theatre, C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts on the Ripon College campus.

Tickets for the play are $8 for adults and $7 for seniors and students, and are available at Ripon Drug and at the door. The Ripon Summer Players, a joint project of the Ripon Noon Kiwanis and the Ripon College theatre department, was founded to provide quality live theatre for this community.