YOUNG ARTISTS ENSEMBLE Presents

Very First Shakespeare production

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Young Artists Ensemble presents William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Megan McDonough May 1 - 17, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.  at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks.   Young Artists Ensemble takes on its first ever Shakespeare production in this fairy story that is also a love story that follows four teens and a ragtag band of wanna-be actors into the woods one midsummer night.  There they encounter meddling, mischievous, and magical fairies, weaving four stories into one.   This play is one of Shakespeare’s funniest and most popular comedies and is performed around the world. 

            The actors are as young as ten years old, and take on the full text of the original play.  According to director Megan McDonough, “They speak in iambic pentameter, rhymed verse and catalectic trochaic tetrameter, a four-beat rhythmic pattern that Shakespeare employs to make the fairies sound light and airy and a little other-wordly.” 

            The play was most likely written between 1590 and 1596 and follows events that end with the marriage of the Duke of Athens.  This production features a unique sound element created by an onstage group of actors, sound artists and musicians, creating effects of nearly every kind, including drums, flute, chimes and other rhythmic sounds applied at precise moments to underscore the comedy.

            Single show tickets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream are $16 for adults and $14.50 for children, students and seniors.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 805-381-1246 or atwww.yaeonline.com.  There is a 10% discount for groups of ten or more for a single performance. Call (805) 381-2747 or visit www.yaeonline.com if you have any questions. 

WHAT: A Midsummer Night’s Dream as YAE takes on its first Shakespeare. This fairy story is also a love story that follows four teens and a ragtag band of wanna-be actors into the woods one midsummer night.  There they encounter meddling, mischievous, and magical fairies, weaving four stories into one.  There just might be a wedding celebration if they can all make it out again…

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Performances: May 1-17, 2015:

Fridays, May 1, 8 and 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturdays, May 2, 9 and 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays, May 3, 10 and 17 at 2:00 p.m.

WHERE:  

Hillcrest Center for the Arts

403 W. Hillcrest Drive

Thousand Oaks, CA

TICKETS: Reserved Single show tickets for MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: Adults $16, Children, Students and Seniors $14.50. Groups of ten or more receive a discount of 10% if purchased in a single transaction.

HOW:  (805) 381-1246 or www.yaeonline.com

OTHER:  Free parking is always available. Accessible seating available by calling (805) 381-1246.  Assisted Listening devices available in the Box Office.