A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Unity Stage Company is proud to present a filmed version (via Zoom) of our Tween Theater Production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.

 

At a date and time TBD. 

Script Adapted and Directed by M.J. Geier & Daniel Weiner

Original Musical Score & Music Direction by Robbie Torres

Lyrics by William Shakespeare as Selected from the text by M.J. Geier

Choreographed by Joey Diconcetto

Film Edited by Joey Diconcetto

Art Direction by Danny Weiner

Costumes by Cindy Sullivan

Lighting Consultant Cohlie Brocato

Directors of Photography (Ticking Clock Productions) Cohlie Brocato, Jay Sansone. (In-person scenes/songs/dances were filmed outdoors in Jackson Heights, with everyone wearing masks, social distancing strictly observed, and a parent in attendance.)

Our Vision: Unity Stage is thrilled to share our first classical play with our youth and adult audiences. Shakespeare’s most rambunctious comedy is a perfect fit for our Tween cast, who bring their own lively, questioning spirits to their roles. The play has been edited to magnify the power struggles between wife and husband, child and parent, poor and rich, and to ask us to think more deeply about the choices we make. The truth of these characters will move you – and make you laugh. The whole family will enjoy a visit to this world of mystery, magic, and wonder.  

 

Starring

Eliana Ballman, Bix Bilger, Castle Bloodgood, Juliet Burns, Ryan Cavallaro, Ella Fasbender, Zara Furlong, Ethan Goldsmith, Jackson Janes, Rose Kelly, Aedan Knipes, Amalia Kushner, Leah Martinez, Penelope Mascia, Kennedy May, Nathan Mudaliar, Molly Mumford, Sola Nakaguchi, Maya Nover, Kiera O’Grady-Chabran, Claire O’Sullivan, Tiya Sadek, Riley Sweetman, Nicola Sullivan, Christian Tomczyk, Zev Torrance, Ima Valledor

 

Notes on how this filmed production came to be.

This Shakespeare favorite was always intended to be groundbreaking. For one thing Unity Stage commissioned an original score (Music by Robbie Torres, Lyrics by William Shakespeare as Selected by Martha J. Geier), turning this romantic comedy into a gorgeous, full-blown musical with dark undertones. 

We had also committed to shooting a video documentary on the making of this tween production, featuring a cast of 27 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. We were several months from performance when we had to shut down in-person rehearsals. 

Due to the reasonably manageable cast size, the documentary footage we had already shot, plus the fact that costumes and props had been compiled/created, the decision was made, in conjunction with the actors and their families, to continue to rehearse, remotely – and culminate the work by filming (thanks to Zoom) all scenes, with the actors recording their singing via Voice Memo. We found ourselves making a movie!

As of July 13 all scenes have been shot, and voice recordings are being submitted. The editing process is beginning and will incorporate pop-up hand-drawn backdrops, paper dolls based on each actor, home-made masks and more. We look forward to announcing a date for an in-person screening or online streaming of this unique multi-media production for friends and family. Watch this space!