Written by Kaelyn Spickler
The Roanoke College Theatre Department’s hard work over these last few months will soon pay off, with opening night of their fall production premiering on Friday, Nov. 15. Additional performance dates are Saturday, Nov. 16, Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 23. All performances will be in Olin Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Heading into the week before Opening Night, the cast has been doing everything they can to make sure the show goes off without a hitch. This includes three hour long rehearsals every night, in addition to the time spent on their own rehearsing lines.
“We are in crunch week right now right before tech week, and it’s been insane,” said Tess Weidenkopf, who plays Moth the fairy. “Everyone is helping out, all the actors are making the flowers for the set when we’re not on stage or helping with costumes. Kayla and Joseph have been working so hard on the costumes. All the cast has memorized their lines on time and have been dancing and learning songs for the production.”
The cast is led by Stage Manager Emma Daisey, who does a little bit of everything to make sure the show will be effortless.
“I try to work with every aspect of the show,” said Daisey. “This year, I have worked a little with getting the costumes made, helping with the set dressing, among other things. I work with the cast extensively, I write down every movement the actors make on the stage to make sure they have consistent blocking, I watch book to make sure the cast gets their lines right, I make coffee, I even help with sizing shoes for people. When the show starts, I pretty much run the show, which can be a little daunting at times!”
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a play many of us are familiar with, to some degree, so it is a great opportunity to see the play actually come to life. The whole cast encourages the whole Roanoke College community to find a date that fits their schedule and enjoy the show.
“I would encourage all Roanoke College students and community members to see this production to show support for the theatre department for all the hard work and time they have put into it,” said Madeline Bourne, Assistant Stage Manager.
General admission tickets are free to the RC community, 7 dollars for adults, and 5 dollars for non-RC students. Tickets can be acquired at the Olin Box Office.
