IT’S FAIRY TIMEEEE!!!!!

Groton’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream invites you into a world where mischief, love, and chaos prevail. But what happens behind the wooden tree trunk and beneath the magic spells? Take a peek behind the scenes of our CPAC!

During rehearsals, students connected with one another to bring out the light-hearted comedy of a 400-year-old Shakespearean classic. Each rehearsal began with projection and diction exercises, as well as stretches to get everyone pumped for the day.

Students also built characters and relationships, exploring power dynamics through the Columbian Hypothesis exercise, where one actor follows another’s hand, showing how a character’s status allows them to guide or control. One of Jack Dalton’s ‘28 favorite memories was the cast translating Shakespeare into modern English one afternoon while running lines. “It was tough, but it made a lot of sense once you got into it,” Jack notes. Jack also adds how he built “some unexpected and unforgettable connections with his fellow lovers” as he worked with them on stage and got to know everyone better. Victor Barrera ‘29 enjoyed learning the bergomask dance, a series of partner dances at the end of the play, for the first time “because it was so chaotic but so much fun.” // He recalls being nervous at first, but soon the whole MSND company “felt like a huge family that made sure everyone felt supported and welcome.”

In stagecraft, John Donovan ‘20, Groton’s Head Scenic Painter and Props Artisan, credits Nicole Harris, Groton’s Movement Director, for designing the set, as well as Brandt Belknap, Emma Covert, and Elizabeth Phan for bringing it to life through striking props, set pieces, and costumes. John’s favorite memory from stagecraft this year was dyeing over 1,000 pieces of hanging fabric for the vines. “My hands were dyed green for a week after that!” he laughs. “I am really proud of the tree trunks and ionic columns,” John reflected, “I painted some trompe-l'œil shadows for the columns, French for ‘trick the eye’— to make the columns look real. They looked really beautiful under the stage lights.”

Laurie Sales, Groton’s Chair of Theater and Dance, shares her directing experience. “It was the first play I ever directed at Groton, so returning to it with a new perspective was joyous. Most of all, I loved coaching this enthusiastic group of actors who all took to the challenge of interpreting Shakespeare's text with notable focus and determination. Each day was a true gift.” Laurie also noticed how much the cast bonded, giving genuine encouragement to one another. “We made each other laugh daily in rehearsals which was the #1 way in which we supported each other,” she recalled. “[Our collaboration] was a true mark of success.”

On opening night, the intricate stage was covered in mist, woodsy lights, and whimsical elements such as a climbable tree and a fly-in clock face. The show captured months of passion and team work. Mia Mas Lopez ‘29, who watched the play, said, “[It] was entertaining, funny, and a work of art. I would watch it over and over again if I could!” Director of Music Program Dr. Mary Ann Lanier reflected that, “[this production] transported me to a beautiful, illusory world.” Ecology Teacher Dr. David Black added, “I particularly enjoyed the clash of time periods and the hints of modernity that appeared throughout.”The community’s enthusiasm meant a great deal to the cast and crew. Being a part of this cast let us express ourselves fully and show the community, as Laurie puts it, “how silly and relevant and beautiful a Shakespeare play can be.”