Quincy Community Theater announces cast for ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ a student theatre play

May 21, 2023 | By Muddy River News

Front Row : Baylee Dedert, Ava Kaelke, Thalia Wolfmeyer, Helen Smith, Aurora Hellige, Cecilia Bruening, Aislynn Griffin, Kellan Wiewel, Cecelia Wayland and Aubrielle Bradfield. Back Row: Dominic Zanger, Lily Twaddle, Trinity Schnelle, Conall Wolfmeyer, Simon Bruening, Logan Mulch, Gabby Jones, Randi Poppema and Briana Zanger. | Photo courtesy of Quincy Community Theatre

QUINCY — Quincy Community Theatre recently announced the cast of its upcoming student theatre production, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in QCT’s lab theatre June 15-18.

This will mark the fourth production in Quincy Community Theatre’s 2023 season, celebrating the theatre’s 100th year as a performing arts institution.

“The course of true love never did run smooth” in Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, when a group of hopelessly lovestruck (and lost) teenagers stumble into an ancient, enchanted forest. Here, the fairies love to wreak havoc on unsuspecting humans almost as much as they love playing tricks on one another. Add an eccentric rogue spirit and a bumbling troupe of wannabe actors into the mix, and what could possibly go wrong?

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is under the direction of Brendan Shea, QCT’s head of education and director of student theatre.

In a press release, Shea said, “’A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is not only Shakespeare’s most performed work, it’s also his most unique. In addition to iconic characters and beautiful language, Midsummer’s world is a mash-up of mythology, magic, surrealism and comedy. It’s a world that plays by its own (confounding) rules,” Shea said. “Our production will invite audiences into the bard’s dream through an immersive, multi-sensory experience that will surprise both first-time and veteran Shakespeare fans. I hope that audiences of all ages will connect with this classic love letter to the theatre, to our collective imagination and to love itself.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is comprised of 19 student actors, several of whom are making their QCT and/or stage debut. The cast is:

Conall Wolfmeyer as Oberon/Theseus
Gabby Jones as Titania/Hippolyta
Helen Smith as Puck
Thalia Wolfmeyer as Hermia
Lily Twaddle as Helena
Logan Mulch as Lysander
Simon Bruening as Demetrius
Baylee Dedert as Bottom
Cecilia Bruening as Quince
Randi Poppema as Snout
Ava Kaelke as Snug
Dominic Zanger as Flute
Briana Zanger as Starveling
Cecelia Wayland as Philostrate
Kellan Wiewel as Egeus
Trinity Schnelle as Peaseblossom
Aurora Hellige as Moth
Aubrielle Bradfield as Mustardseed
Aislynn Griffin as Cobweb

The production team is comprised of scenic design by Harrison Clarke, costume design by Vicky Vail, lighting design by Bryan Zipp and stage management by Bailey McNamar.

Tickets start at $13 and go on sale Monday, May 22. The performances are June 15-17 at 7:30 p.m. and June 18 at 2 p.m. Seating is general admission in the lab theatre.

For more information, visit 1qct.org or call the QCT box office in the Oakley-Lindsay Center at 217-222-3209.

QCT’s 2023 season is sponsored by Gardner Denver.