'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Avon High School

William Shakespeare's comedic play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, will be performed Friday and Saturday, November 10 and 11, at 7:30 p.m.at the Avon High School (AHS) Auditorium. This fun-for-all-ages classic features a cast and crew composed of talented Avon High School students. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens at the door starting one hour before show time.

Shakespeare's beloved comedy is full of silliness and hijinks, but it also holds special meaning for the young cast and crew. As the youthful characters in the play navigate their world being upended, they are transformed by the experience and somehow recover with more clarity and confidence than they had before. "This is what we hope happens for our youth as they experience the challenges of growing through their teenage years," shares Avon Public Schools theatre teacher Jill Paterson, who is directing the play. "I have the privilege of witnessing this transformation in our theatre students as they grow from curious seventh graders into worldly seniors. The chaos they endure can be remarkable, and the confidence they develop through the process can be truly impressive."

The play features 28 cast members and nearly 40 tech crew members, who work with Technical Director Meg Ryan to bring the set design to fruition. Local resident Lisa Smith develops the creative vision for costumes, hair and makeup.

Senior Tessa Panczner will be featured as Helena, with senior AJ Sisson playing Demetrius. Hermia will be played by Nicole Moulton, and Marcel Paige will be Demetrius. Puck will be brought to life by senior Ella Brown Heffernan, as she carries out the bidding of Oberon, played by Matthew Giarratana. The fairy queen, Titania, will be played by Samantha Moran. The fairy attendants in Avon's interpretation of Midsummer, who play instruments, sing and dance, include Lara Beckius, Annika Mathias, Miranda Sida, Kenzie Lee, Sarah Obie, Jade Logan and Allison Rinehart.

The "play within the play" will be interpreted by Jen Wall as Nick Bottom, Christina Murphy as Peter Quince, Izzy Vicente as Francis Flute, Hannah Kiernan as Tom Snout, Annabel Schwartz as Robin Starveling and Ariyana Ortiz as Snug. Theseus the duke will be played by Ruel Davis, and Maggie Fowler will play Hippolyta, his betrothed. Hermia's father is played by Asa Jackson. Other court members are Ellie Zwolensky as Philostrate, Leanne Jozef, Lucy Schwartz, Amir Johnson and Declan Moran.

The stage manager for the production is senior Harrison Smith; assistant is Alyson Olesak. Senior Kate Bruder is assisting the technical director. Senior Becca Shillington is captain of the run crew; senior Chloe Caso is head of light crew; and senior Pauline Park is head of sound crew. Senior Ryan Virag is head of build crew. Other crew members are Tanvi Chadha, Grace Fontaine, Colleen Gaudiana, Jack Carrol, Sabrina Hoefer, Arianna Kehoe, Neel Srinath, Aarohi Patel, A’Shanti Granville, Anisha Sharda, Ethan Na, Emmaline Howe, Maya Krodel, Ester Ju, Spencer Lazarus, Asha Davis, Bradley Caso, Emmy Shi, Tush Balaji, Levin Cusatis, Caroline Hart, Cameron McCarty, Giana Zema, Chloe Jordan, May Alamar, Julienne Good, Rachel Allen, Ksenyia Nosenko, and Delanie Transue.

Themed concessions will be available during intermission for cash-only donations. A team of dedicated parent volunteers is helping with preparations. For more information about the show, call 860-404-4745.

Photos by Anna Zuckerman-Vdovenko.