About the Play
Probably composed in 1595 or 1596, A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's early comedies but can be distinguished from his other works in this group by describing it specifically as the Bard's original wedding play. Most scholars believe that Shakespeare wrote A Midsummer Night's Dream as a light entertainment to accompany a marriage celebration; and while the identity of the historical couple for whom it was meant has never been conclusively established, there is good textual and background evidence available to support this claim. At the same time, unlike the vast majority of his works(including all of his comedies), in concocting this story Shakespeare did not rely directly upon existing plays, narrative poetry, historical chronicles or any other primary source materials, making it a truly original piece. Most critics agree that if a youthful Shakespeare was not at his best in this play, he certainly enjoyed himself in writing it. The main plot of Midsummer is a complex contraption that involves two sets of couples (Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius) whose romantic cross-purposes are complicated still further by their entrance into the play's fairyland woods where the King and Queen of the Fairies (Oberon and Titania) preside and the impish folk character of Puck or Robin Goodfellow plies his trade. Less subplot than a brilliant satirical device, another set of characters—Bottom the weaver and his bumptious band of "rudemechanicals"—stumble into the main doings when they go into the same enchanted woods to rehearse a play that is very loosely (and comically) based on the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe, their hilarious home-spun piece taking up Act V of Shakespeare's comedy. A Midsummer Night's Dream contains some wonderfully lyrical expressions of lighter Shakespearean themes, most notably those of love, dreams, and the stuff of both, the creative imagination itself. Indeed, close scrutiny of the text by twentieth-century critics has led to a significant upward revision in the play's status, one that overlooks the silliness of its story and concentrates upon its unique lyrical qualities. If A Midsummer Night's Dream can be said to convey a message, it is that the creative imagination is in tune with the supernatural world and is best used to confer the blessings of Nature (writ large) upon mankind and marriage.

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Download the Script
We will be working from a cut version of the script by Amy Ulen.

Download sript now.

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List of Characters

• The Court
  • THESEUS -- Duke of Athens, engaged to Hippolyta.
  • HIPPOLYTA -- Queen of the Amazons.
  • PHILOSTRATE -- Master of the Revels to the Athenian Court.
  • EGEUS -- father to Hermia.
  • Attendants on Theseus and Hippolyta.
    
    
• The Lovers
  • HERMIA -- daughter to Egeus, in love with Lysander.
  • LYSANDER -- in love with Hermia.
  • DEMETRIUS -- Egeus's choice as a husband for Hermia.
  • HELENA -- in love with Demetrius.
    
    
• The Mechanicals
  • NICK BOTTOM -- a weaver who plays Pyramus.
  • PETER QUINCE -- a carpenter who speaks the Prologue.
  • FRANCIS FLUTE -- a bellows-mender who plays Thisbe.
  • TOM SNOUT -- a tinker who plays Wall.
  • ROBIN STARVELING -- a tailor who plays Moonshine.
  • SNUG -- a joiner who plays Lion.
    
    
• The Fairies
  • PUCK (or Robin Goodfellow) -- Oberon's attendant. (Male or Female)
  • OBERON -- King of the Fairies.
  • TITANIA -- Queen of the Fairies.
  • PEASEBLOSSOM, COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARDSEED -- Titania's fairy attendants.
  • FAIRY 1 & FAIRY 2 -- fairies in Titania's service.
  • Other fairies attending their King and Queen

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About the Auditions
All students between the ages of 13 and 22 are eligible to audition. Please note that although no experience is required this is a highly competitive program designed to give serious students an opportunity to advance their skills and talents. Acceptance into the program is based on talent, preparation, maturity and ability. There are also a limited number of scholarships are available made possible by the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation, The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Education Endowment and the Larkin Brooks Education Fund.

Location: Ventura Center for Spiritual Living, 101 South Laurel Street at Santa Clara
Dates: Monday, April 21, 2008 and Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Callbacks: Monday April 28, 2008

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Make an Appointment
All preliminary auditions are held by appointment. Once your appointment is made you will receive a confirmation via email.

Request an Audition Appointment

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What to Prepare

For the auditions I have selected 4 general monologues for you to choose from: 2 for the boys and 2 for the girls. Please pick one and memorize it. If you are looking some guidance as you work on your audition monologue we recommend Leslie Carson, who will serve as the acting coach for the show. She is available to anyone who wishes to use her services and is offering the first coaching free of charge with no further commitment. She can be reach via email at lcarson@hartdistrict.org or by calling 805-933-2345.

Girls Monologues
Boys Monologues

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Recommended Links

http://www.shakespearehigh.com/library/surfbard

http://www.shakespearehigh.com/classroom/guide/
Click on comedies in the plays zone.
Click on A Midsummer’s Night Dream
Read the Dream Unfolds

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Schedule

Rehearsal and Performance
Rehearsal Dates: June 16 - July 3
Tech Dates: July 4 - July 8
Performances: July 9 - July 13

Other Important Dates and Information

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To make a donation or to sponsor Rubicon's Education Outreach Programs, please call Development Manager Mychele Dee at (805) 667-2912 ext. 237.