Union Catholic Performing Arts Company Presents 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

The Union Catholic Performing Arts Company will present its summer show, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, on August 3 and 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Presented in a non-traditional setting of modern day New York City, the show tells the tale of three different groups of characters, all with interlocking stories.

“It might not be a very prestigious production of a Shakespeare show, but it’s definitely got its own twist on it,” said show director Emily Dzioba. “And I definitely think if people come out and see it they won’t be disappointed.”

For the first time, a current Union Catholic Regional High School student is directing the show, rather than a faculty member or graduate.

Dzioba, an incoming junior, said nobody was available to direct the show this summer, and she didn’t want a summer performance to fall by the wayside.

“I was upset because my first start in PAC had been through summer drama, because they allow incoming freshmen to come in and try it out, and that’s how I auditioned and I got in,” Dzioba said. “So I wanted that opportunity to be available to other freshmen, and not deny anyone a chance to do a play.”

Dzioba believes the school’s summer performances provide a special opportunity for students who would not normally get leads to play a major role in a production. She said working on a production is also a wonderful bonding opportunity for students.

The current production will feature 11 Union Catholic students, from incoming freshmen to graduated seniors.

“I wanted to do a summer show because I wanted to bring people in and experience PAC, and that’s what happened,” Dzioba said.

The cast and crew have been preparing for their performance since early June. They rehearsed for three hours daily, three days a week. Their final rehearsal was last night, and cast and crew ran through the production from start to finish one last time before opening night tomorrow.

“I feel very confident, especially with this being a very young cast,” Dzioba said. “They have grown leaps and bounds since they first auditioned.”

Tickets can be purchased at the door or at www.showtix4u.com. They cost $5.00 for students/senior citizens and $10.00 for standard tickets.