Following the fall production of “Our Town,” the Drama Club at Salem High School is back in action and ready to try something new. This time, the stage is set for a unique take on the Shakespearean play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Early on, the decision was made to produce a more contemporary version of the play. Mark Carter, teacher and current director of the Drama Club, wanted to make it more accessible to modern audiences. “A lot of people are afraid of or intimidated by Shakespeare,” said Carter. “I felt like the modern costuming might make the play more approachable and highlight the idea that the themes presented are still relevant today.”
The fairies, a prime example of this change, are planned to be in grunge and emo-inspired dress reminiscent of styles of the early 2000s and 2010s. Hippolyta, played by Senior Madeline Galvin, will be given a modern makeover as well. “Think of a more modern and masculine Wonder Woman wearing clothes from an everyday closet,” said Galvin.
The characters may be in modern dress, but that doesn’t mean that the characters themselves are any different. Senior Sarah Call, long-time member of the Drama Club, is set to play the role of Hermia, an exceptionally strong and confident female character. “[Carter] said I was chosen because Hermia is supposed to be short and fierce, which apparently I already am.”
Call has been a member of the Drama Club since she was in sixth grade, and although a lot has changed since then, she said it has helped her grow as a person. “After the passing of Mr. Trueblood, I thought I was going to stop drama club, but when Mr. Carter asked me to join, I knew I would experience many more things from a whole new perspective,” she said. “And I have!”
With a cast and crew amounting to more than 18 students and a few young children set to play the roles of the fairies, the stage is certainly going to be full of energy. “For me, I love the sense of community that drama club creates,” said senior Connor Davidson, a member of the club. “It brings people of all different backgrounds together to help produce the show, and everybody has something to contribute.”
The production is set to debut the night of Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. and will continue the following Sunday at 2 p.m. Come watch a stage classic and help support the Drama Club!