NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Erika Sanger
207-367-2788
director@operahousearts.org

DATE: June 10, 2025
TITLE: Dreaming of Midsummer at Opera House Arts

Stonington, ME – “That feeling, when the house lights dim and the performers take the stage–there is nothing quite like it. The staging and design of this production are filled with joyful energy, physical fun, and beauty that enhances the classic text. Audiences will find the play easy to understand, easy to love, and filled with laughs,” reflects Opera House Arts’ Artistic Director Kathryn Markey.

The Stonington Opera House, with its historic stage, has long been a place where magic happens. Opera House Arts, the 501c(3) which has operated the theater for the last 25 years, is reaching back to its roots with a production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This enchanting production, set in a wooded coastal landscape, is both comic and relatable and honors the tradition of producing Shakespeare in Stonington.

Costume designer Rebecca Kanach has drawn on both the natural world and the people who call DownEast home to create the actors’ “looks.” The fairies, the rustics and the royals will sport the colors and character of coastal Maine in clever and surprising ways. Moody and magical lighting will be designed by Shannon O’Rourke and Brandon Gauthier will provide the sound design.

Executive Director Erika Sanger loves the ways in which “this production takes Shakespeare from the page to the stage leveraging all the recent upgrades to our lighting and sound systems.”

The enchanted set design was created by Opera House Arts’ Production Manager Braden Hooter who “wanted to lean into the whimsy of Midsummer. Audiences will feel like they are entering into a storybook illustration with mysterious nooks and corners.” 

This original production of Shakespeare ‘s beloved Midsummer will open on Thursday, June 19 and run through Sunday, June 29. The schedule includes a special Wednesday evening performance on June 25 at 6pm.  This is a Pay What You Can performance, a new initiative designed to remove financial barriers to live theater. The 6pm earlier start time will help those who want to travel home before full dark attend more safely. 

Midsummer features a cast of ten including Melody Bates as Titania, Kenneth De Abrew as Bottom, Orlando Grant at Quince, Thomas Ouellette as Egeus, Grayson Powell as Oberon, Hillel Rosenshine as Demetrius, Laura Scott Cary as Helena, Ella Stoller as Hermia, Kim Taff as Puck, and Bradley Tejeda as Lysander.  

Sanger remarks, “We are thrilled to host 15 actors, designers, and stage managers in Stonington. Their presence in town has filled seats in restaurants, brought comedy to karaoke night, and dance moves to Live! For $5 performances. They are excited to be in town and we are anticipating memorable performances.” 

Tickets are on sale now.  Purchase online at operahousearts.org or by calling 207-367-2788.

Sponsored by Ray & Judy McCaskey, the Anahata Foundation, and the Onion Foundation. 

Attached Images:

1.     A Midsummer Night’s Dream Design by Todd Alcott

2.     Melody Bates to play Titania/Hippolyta

3.     Kenneth De Abrew to play Bottom

4.     Orlando Grant to play Quine/Fairy

5.     Thomas Ouellette to play Egeus/Fairy

6.     Grayson Powell to play Oberon/Theseus

7.     Hillel Rosenshine to play Demetrius/Snug

8.     Laura Scott Cary to play Helena/Snout

9.     Ella Stoller to play Hermia/Starveling

10.  Kim Taff to play Puck/Philostrate

11.  Bradley Tejeda to play Lysander/Flute