By Jesika Henson

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With new director Julia LoPresti at the helm, Central Theatre Arts Academy’s (CTAA) fall production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opened on Nov. 29 and continued with shows on Nov. 30 and Dec. 5 and 6. The play and the program behind it emphasized the importance of the participation of both cast and audience in theatre.

“Anything in the arts, not just theatre, anything related to the arts is important for the students who are performing, for the students as audience members,” explained LoPresti.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” follows the lives of a multitude of characters who all play a role in the conflicts centered around independence and love. “I would think that teenagers might identify with (the) aspect of wanting their independence from their (parents), especially in matters of the heart. Things happen to the characters where love triangles get reversed and it probably happens in real life and you don’t need a magic love potion for that to happen,” said LoPresti.

This particular play was a new experience for both the actors and LoPresti, since this was their first year working together. “It was good. Any change is gonna be difficult, even though it’s the same sort of program, it’s a different school and each school runs things differently, as far as logistics and the production side of it,” said LoPresti. The actor who portrayed Nick Bottom, Senior Nicholas Howe, said, “I think (being involved in CTAA is) extremely important, especially because we just have a new director. So I think that everybody from the past year (should help) her out, showing her the ropes, kinda being involved and trying to make this program better than it was.”

Students that contributed to the play included not only the actors, but those who helped construct the set and costumes by hand. “A lot of my time has been devoted to making costumes and building the set as well as the other actors,” said Howe. “It’s been a lot of time, but it’s worth it because the outcome, you can say, ‘I did this,’ and I think it was a pretty good outcome.” Sophomore Anna Eggleton, who played the roles of Theseus and Oberon, added, “I spent a big chunk of time in rehearsal, memorizing lines and helping with the costumes, but I have to say there are many crew members who have spent even more time than me and the payoff belongs to them as well.”

This production and many like it have provided students with the opportunity to take the spotlight. “This has (been) my first time on stage and each night was truly exhilarating. Having a spotlight pointed at you while on stage and feeling the audience with you is such a trip,” said Eggleton. LoPresti added, “I like watching the students, especially the beginners, grow from being very shy and non-performers to really getting a handle on their parts and learning the Shakespearean language.”

CTAA’s goal is not only to entertain, but to encourage student involvement in theatre, whether as actors or as part of the audience. “I do think that going to see a play can teach you a lesson about life, about culture, about history, you can take anything away from a play that you want,” explained Howe. “I think that everybody should experience a play or a musical at some point.”

LoPresti and the students in CTAA will be hard at work once again to put on their production of “A Little Shop of Horrors” next spring.