By William Shakespeare
Directed by Emma Rosa Went
Suggested Age Range: 10 and up
Magic blows into town as a Duke and a Duchess prepare for their wedding day, some amateur actors rehearse a play for the party, and four young lovers run into the woods – where a kingdom of fairies emerges to enchant, transform, and entangle us in their dreams. Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – one of the most enduringly popular plays of all time – is a wild and whimsical celebration of love, nature, and the magic of theatre itself.
Week 1: July 7 - 11
Wednesday - Saturday at 7:00pm
Sunday, July 11th at 4pm
Week 2: July 13 - 17
Tuesday - Saturday at 7:00pm
Talk back with the cast after the Sunday performance on July 11.
Doors open two hours prior to curtain.
Running Time: 2 hours plus intermission
The Green Show: Pre-show entertainment that occurs one hour before curtain to help immerse you into the world of the show. Come early and enjoy The Green Show! Click the Pre-Show Entertainment tab for more info
Pre-order food: themed food baskets created by Ani's Table. Click for info on our Food page. Or you can bring your own!
Ticket Specials:
Student Rush Tickets are available 15-minutes prior to curtain. $10 per student, cash only, with a valid student id. Limit one per person.
Lunchtime Special: $10 tickets (cash, $13 credit) are available between 12pm - 1pm for the performance occurring that same day/evening. Lunch time special tickets are limited by availability
Kara Arena (Hermia, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Cinderella, INITO THE WOODS): Playhouse on Park Debut! Selected credits: THE WINTER’S TALE, TWELFTH NIGHT (7SSC), EVITA, FROST NIXON, OBAMA-OLOGY (Bay Street Theater), PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK (Goodspeed), SPRING AWAKENING (Irondale). Training: The Boston Conservatory, William Esper Studio of Acting. karaarena.com @karaarena
Olivia Rose Barresi (Helena, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Cinderella’s Mom/Stepmother, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park Debut! Red Bull Theater: Gallathea GALLATHEA; Radio Shakespeare Lab: The Bastard KING JOHN; The Tank: Hermes PROMETHEUS BOUND; Counterclaim: Mainie Jellett FEMALE NUDE SEATED. Drama League: Vladimir/Olivia THE SAME SHIRT SHOW, PART 2. MA LAMDA, BFA Boston University. Love to all for this trip through the woods! oliviarosebarresi.com.
Chris Bellinger (Oberon/Theseus, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Narrator/ Mysterious Man, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park Debut! American Shakespeare Center: Posthumous CYMBELINE, Uncle John THE GRAPES OF WRATH, Oberon/Theseus A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Julius Caesar JULIUS CAESAR, Exeter HENRY V, Chausible THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Jacob Marley/ Old Joe A CHRITSMAS CAROL. Chris earned his BA from Clemson. He resides in the Baltimore Metro area.
Katie Brough (Snug/Peaseblossom, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Swing, INTO THE WOODS; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! Opera House Players: Minstrel/Dancer SOMETHING ROTTEN!; Kingswood Oxford High School: Velma Kelly CHICAGO, Loggaine 25TH ANNUAL..., Izzy RABBIT HOLE; Wethersfield Teen Theatre: Elle Woods LEGALLY BLONDE. Katie is looking forward to returning to Boston Conservatory this fall for her sophomore year as a Musical Theatre BFA student. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Tim, Sam, & Paul the Cat.
Bianca Day (Florinda, INTO THE WOODS; Understudy, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! Applause New York: Rusty FOOTLOOSE, Sue Snell CARRIE; Disney Workshop: Mal DESCENDANTS; Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts: Bebe A CHORUS LINE; French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts: Velma CHICAGO, Katherine NEWSIES. Bianca just completed her freshman year as a theater studies major at Penn State. Bianca is a West Hartford native and a 2020 graduate of Hall High School as well as The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts.
Jack Dillon (Demetrius, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Cinderella’s Prince/The Wolf, INTO THE WOODS) is thrilled to be making his Playhouse on Park Debut! Regional: Connecticut Repertory Theatre: William Shakespeare SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE; Hyman AS YOU LIKE IT; Polynices ANTIGONE. Peterborough Players: Christopher Wren THE MOUSETRAP; Tv/Film: Fx/Hulu DAVE; Voiceover: QCODE EDITH with Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike. Jack is a 2020 UCONN BFA acting graduate and is thrilled to be back on stage! Check him out at jackdillonactor.com and jackdillonvo.com; Insta: @jackdillonofficial.
Robert Denzel Edwards (Lysander, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; The Baker, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park Debut! Syracuse Stage: Nilo MADNESS, IN THE CLEARING OF BLUE; Redhouse Arts Center: Jake Laurents IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE; Vincent STILL WAITING ; Hangar Theatre: Fred A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Ensemble KINKY BOOTS; Paul Robeson PAC: Grif KILL MOVE PARADISE; Cherry Arts: Evaristo THE FAN; Robert would like to thank God and everyone else who has helped him reach this point in his career. He hopes you enjoy the show! @robertdenzeledwards www.robertdenzel.com
Hallie Friedman (Rapunzel, INTO THE WOODS; Understudy, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! The Hartt School: Masha THREE SISTERS; Hortense, Minerva, Russian Sonia SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY; Mrs. Swanson MIDDLETOWN. New Works: Lin THE KIDS TABLE (World Premiere); ensemble, workshop of SHEL. Hallie will be a Senior Actor Training major at The Hartt School with a minor in Psychology. Hallie is very excited and thankful to be a part of Playhouse On Park’s summer season and can’t wait to get started!
Zoë Goslin (Hippolyta/Titania; Jack’s Mom/Giant/Granny): Playhouse on Park Debut! Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival: Mark Antony/Soothsayer JULIUS CAESAR (Touring Company); The Tank Theatre: Melandre OLD NAMES FOR WILDFLOWERS; The Schapiro Theatre: Olga THREE SISTERS; The Connelly Theatre: Malcolm MACBETH; International Shakespeare Center (Radio Shakespeare Lab): Ophelia HAMLET, and Richard II in RICHARD II. Film/TV: PBS: The LatinXperience; Wild Obscura Films: STRAY. Zoë trained at Northwestern University, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Patrick Harvey (Bottom, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Dwarf 4, SNOW WHITE) Playhouse on Park Debut! National Touring Company: Amos KEN LUDWIG'S TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS; Signature Theater: Artaud ARTAUD/ARTAUD, Pearl Theatre Company: Redillon u/s THE DINGDONG; Smith Street Stage: Puck A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Caliban THE TEMPEST; Feste TWELFTH NIGHT; Witch/Porter MACBETH; The Tank: Maurice OLD NAMES FOR WILDFLOWERS; Barn Arts Collective: Lo THREE SECONDS; Dixon Place: Lance FRED. Love to my fiance, Amara. Twitter/Instagram: @dfwpadraig, www.patrick-harvey.com.
Tania Kass (Egeus/Quince, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; The Witch, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park Debut! Downstage Central Theater: She DON’T LET ME DOWN; Midtown International Theater Festival: Psychiatrist A MOTHER’S HEART; Older Woman MIDNIGHT ON A MONDAY; Teatro Nazionale: Mrs. Potts/Mme de la Grande Bouche BEAUTY AND THE BEAST; Sala Uno Theater: Mrs. Lovett SWEENEY TODD; Bologna Opera House: Mrs. Peachum, DUKE ELLINGTON’S THE BEGGAR’S HOLIDAY; Bernstein School of Musical Theater: Mrs. Phagan, PARADE; Baker’s Wife, INTO THE WOODS; Ensemble RAGTIME.
Danny Kelly (Steward, INTO THE WOODS; Understudy, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts: Christopher Boone THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME; Ensemble BLOOD AT THE ROOT; Central Academy of Technology and Arts: Ensemble SWEENEY TODD. Danny is a rising sophomore at the University of Connecticut as an exploratory student in the ACES program.
Isaac Kueber (Francis Flute, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Rapunzel’s Prince, INTO THE WOODS; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! Goodspeed Opera House: Bailey PRIVATE GOMER; Young Ramsey CEILIDH; Florida Repertory Theatre: Melchior SPRING AWAKENING; Walden Theatre: Gadshill/Lord Hastings HENRY IV. Isaac is a recent graduate of The Hartt School with a BFA in Musical Theatre.
Miss Sandra Mhlongo (Puck/Philostrate, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Lucinda, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park: Smee PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; The Lenfest theatre of the Arts: Woman1/Nun3/Prostitute1/Nurse3 DON JUAN COMES BACK FROM THE WAR; St George Living History Productions: Sojourner Truth SUFFRAGE AND COURAGE; The Kraine Theatre: Jasmine THE SCAVENGER HUNT; Battery Park Theatre: Cal AND THEN THEY FELL; HBO: Self RECOMMENDED BY HUMANS; Conde Nast: Self CULTURALLY SPEAKING. Here for Good Times, Art and Money! Maybe food too. www.misssandramhlongo.com
Resa Mishina (Starveling/Moth, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Snow White, SNOW WHITE) Playhouse on Park Debut! Studio Theatre: Ruki Minami WHITE PEARL; The Wick Theatre: Connie A CHORUS LINE; Slow Burn Theatre Company: Cynthia PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT; Flat Rock Playhouse: Woodstock YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN; Duffy ANNIE; Ensemble THE MUSIC MAN; Interlakes Summer Theatre: Yvette/Ensemble MISS SAIGON. BFA in Musical Theatre from Rider University. Proud native of Yokohama, Japan. Special thanks to Mama, Tata, and Curly for their never ending support.
Trishawn Paul (Snout/Mustardseed MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Performer THE GREEN SHOW; Ensemble, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park: Eugene Williams THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS; The 224: Nick Piazza FAME JR, Simba THE LION KING; Kinsella: Ensemble WORKING. Trishawn is graduating from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts this year. He aspires to more opportunities in the theater world while forwarding his secular education.
Katrien Van Riel (First Fairy/Musician, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Musician, SNOW WHITE) Playhouse on Park Debut! St. Michael's Playhouse: Morgan/Musician GODSPELL; The Tank: Emily Bronte/Music Director GLASS TOWN; Chamber Theatre Productions: Mathilda THE NECKLACE, Katrina THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, Amelia Morris THE MONKEY'S PAW, Litzka THE LADY OR THE TIGER. Katrien has toured nationally with her rock band, where she sang lead vocals and played bass, and has been signed with Cleopatra Records for her original compositions. Circle in the Square Conservatory class of 2019.
Emma Rosa Went (Director, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM) is a freelance theatre director based in NYC. In New York, she has developed and presented work with: Red Bull Theater: GALLATHEA; Playwrights Realm: INITIATIVE, Ink'd Fest; The Drama League: BECKETT WITHOUT BECKETT; Trans Lab at WP: BOXCAR; The Tank: OLD NAMES FOR WILDFLOWERS; COURAGE! TO THE FIELD!; The Brick: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING; Dixon Place: THE SAME SHIRT SHOW; Access Theatre: LOVE'S LABORS LOST; and many other venues. Regional work includes: Weston Playhouse: MIRROR GAME, ONE ROOM PLAYS; Scranton Shakespeare Festival: AS YOU LIKE IT; RICHARD III; Campfire Festival at Boise Contemporary Theatre: WHAT WASHED \\ASHORE//ASTRAY. Off- broadway and regional assisting includes: OSF, Red Bull, TFANA, Colorado Shakespeare, Atlantic. Emma has been the recipient of: Drama League Classical Directing Fellowship, Drama League First Stage Residency, SDCF Observership, Barn Arts Collective Residency. Co-founder of The Renovationists. SDC Associate Member, BA Sarah Lawrence College. More at www.emmawent.com
Michael Hinton (Director, GREEN SHOW; Fight Choreographer, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM) is an actor, writer, and director, and is very happy to have joined the Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. family as the Director of Education of the Playhouse Theatre Academy. Directing credits include: the film ODETTE, which he also co-wrote, Flock Theatre: MACBETH; and numerous productions for schools and theatre education programs throughout Connecticut. Acting credits at Playhouse on Park: MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN, and ALL IS CALM. Regional: Elm Shakespeare Company; Ivoryton Playhouse; Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. NY: Hip to Hip Theatre, Actors Studio. UK: Tobacco Factory Theatre. In addition to his work with Playhouse Theatre Group, Michael teaches at both Eastern Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University. He received his MA in Professional Acting from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and has trained extensively at Shakespeare & Company. www.MichaelHintonActor.com
Rachel Louise Duncan (Sound Designer, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM) is a freelance musician, composer, and independent artist based in Nashville TN. As composer: Scranton Shakespeare Festival: AS YOU LIKE IT; Easy Leap Theatre Company/The Brick: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING; Easy Leap Theatre Co/The Underground Lounge: OTHELLO. Musical arrangements: Scranton Shakespeare Radio Plays, 2020: Henry IV. Ray studied music theory and Jazz at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo CA. In addition to composing, Ray does studio backing vocals, has released one solo EP of original music (“This Road”, 2016), as well as 2 EPs and a live album with the band Ranchers for Peace, is part of an emerging Nashville based R&B duo called New Daddy, and is preparing for the summer 2021 release of her sophomore solo EP titled "Break My Heart".
Performed by CSF Interns
Directed by Michael Hinton
Suggested Age range: 10 and up
Free summer entertainment on the Green! Before watching the Main Stage Festival productions (A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Into the Woods), audiences are encouraged to prepare by immersing themselves in the Green Show with music, dance, comedy, and Shakespeare scenes that break down their Shakesfear*.
Doors for the festival will open two hours prior to the production start, and the Green Show will begin one hour before curtain. Relax on the grass as you are entertained by our very talented intern company and local guest artists.
* the fear and sometimes utter terror of not being able to understand the language and characters of Shakespeare
