Since 2006, UF’s Shakespeare in the Park has been performing the playwright’s productions outside on the Plaza of the Americas. Every production is free of charge and open to the public.
This year, the theater group tackled “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a comedy of interlocking plots surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens to the Queen of the Amazons.
The play premiered last Thursday night and ran through Saturday with a matinee performance on Sunday afternoon.
Mischief and treachery ensued this year beside the backdrop of a unique premise. Directors Max Wallace and Ashlyn Rothenberg decided on a nautical theme for the performance.
“We wanted to do something totally new this year,” said Brad Johnson, creative director of the show.
The theme was incorporated largely through the set and elaborate costumes. Nearly every member of the group serves a dual role as both an actor and a crewmember.
“Everything has been made or put together by the people in the organization,” said Shawn Daniels, public relations representative of the group. He also played Bottom.
Katina Prokos, who played Helena, said that none of the performers are theater majors, and they joined the group simply because of their love of Shakespeare.
