“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” play auditions to be held Jan. 22-23

RIPON, Wis. – Ripon College’s theatre department is hosting open auditions and a crew call for a touring production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in the Benstead Theatre in the C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts on Jan. 22-23 from 7-9 p.m.

The play, written by Shakespeare, features four young lovers – Hermia, Lysander, Helena and Demetrius – who find themselves in a magical forest where the fairy king Oberon and his mischievous servant Puck create chaos with love potions.

A unique aspect of this play is that it will tour several Wisconsin high schools from April 4-11.

Ripon College alumna Jessie Lillis ’13, co-founder of Starling Shakespeare Company, will be directing the play.

“Ripon is the first place I performed Shakespeare, so it’s always going to hold a special place in my heart,” Lillis said. “It’s such a treat to be coming back to direct because it feels like such a full circle moment.”

Lillis has spent the last two summers back on the Ripon College campus with her company, but she is looking forward to being there during the academic year and reconnecting with the community.

“I think my directing style, and this play-touring format in general, will give students a fun opportunity to get to play with classical text and see that it’s really not as intimidating as it might seem,” Lillis said. “Plus, touring theatre is my absolute favorite kind of theatre. It’s such a playful, interactive style that gives tons of opportunity for growth and exploration as an actor and a human.”

Lillis said “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a joyful play, full of so many big characters that everyone involved will have “lots to chew on from an acting perspective.”

For more information, contact Assistant Professor of Theatre Lillian Brown at [email protected].

Posted January 7, 2025 in Fine Arts, Student.

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