THEATRE + COMEDY

KVPAC will raise the proverbial bar a little higher when the COMPANY presents Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Directed by newcomer Claudia McCotter and Assistant Directed by Jill Manser, this comedic tale is the first play by William Shakespeare to be produced by KVPAC.

"This particular play is actually one of the best and most commonly used plays to introduce young actors to the works of Shakespeare," says Ms. McCotter. "Although it has a complex comedic plot, the subtext behind the language isn't as mature in nature or as difficult to grasp as the language of some of his other works. It also provides a setting and characters that really appeal to children and teenagers: an enchanted forest, feuding fairies, a troupe of bumbling actors, star-crossed lovers, and a royal court."

Ms. McCotter also noted, "At first my students were very unsure of themselves as they began performing Shakespeare for the first time. This has been an exciting journey for all of us, and the kids are learning to decipher the language, understand the characters' needs, and are having a great time!"

One of Shakespeare's most popular works, A Midsummer Night's Dream is a tale of star-crossed (and criss-crossed) lovers, domestic disputes in the kingdom of the fairies, and an amateur theatrical production whose leading player becomes a donkey. True love's course rarely runs smooth and so it goes for our young Athenian lovers, Hermia and Lysander, and Demetrius and Helena.

Complicating things are Hermia's father's lack of consent over her suitor of choice, along with the typical obstacles of youthful courtship. Not so typical is their retreat into the forest where mischievous fairies take things into their own hands and cause the lovers' knots to become further tangled. Also in the woods happens to be a band of local craftsmen rehearsing a play, the most enthusiastic of which, Bottom finds himself turned into a donkey and paramour to the fairy queen Titania. Magical flower juice, skirmishing fairy royalty, and amateur playmakers add up to a hilarious recipe of stage folly, and KVPAC's first tribute to the Bard.

This COMPANY Spring season finale also marks the final performances for three of KVPAC's graduating seniors, Chalie Power as Titania, Sarah Scholl as Bottom and Rob Pounds as Egeus. Chalie and Sarah have been with KVPAC practically since it's inception 8 years ago, while Rob moved to Katy a little over a year ago and has been very active ever since. All three seniors plan to pursue their theatrical education after graduation.

Chalie Power's KPVAC resume includes Disney's The Lion King; Wonderland; Charlie and The Chocolate Factory; Oliver Twist; Disney's Aladdin; Sleepy Hollow; Dracula;Aristocats; Oz; Bah Humbug; Willy Wonka, Back to the 80's, The Disney Road Show; and Give My Regards To Broadway. In 2007, she performed in the adult community theater's production of Steel Magnolias as Annelle. When not acting, Chalie began as a production team intern and is now an Assistant Director for many KVPAC student productions as well.

Sarah Scholl is a member of one of KVPAC's founding families. She performed in KVPAC's first full stage production of Grease and has been honing her talents and adding to her resume ever since. Some of Sarah's performances include Disney's The Lion King; Charlie and The Chocolate Factory; Oliver Twist; Aladdin; Sleepy Hollow; Dracula;You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Oz, Willy Wonka; Back to the 80's; The Disney Road Show; Give My Regards To Broadway, and Beauty & The Beast. Sarah is also a very talented make-up artist, has worked as an Assistant Director and has contributed to many of our beautiful costumes as well.

Rob Pounds has certainly left his mark on KPVAC in a very short time. Rob performed in Back To The 80's; Seussical; Give My Regards To Broadway; and Beauty and the Beast. He also performed in two Encore Players Productions, as Nigel in Something's Afoot and as Manolo in The Odd Couple (female version). Rob has also interned and assisted with many production teams as well. All three graduating seniors will be sorely missed!

Performances for A Midsummer Night's Dream are Friday, May 8th at 7pm and Saturday, May 9th at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are $7/adults and $5/children under 12 and are available for purchase on-line at www.KVPAC.org. KVPAC Members receive free admission to the matinee performance while ticket supplies last (call 281-829-ARTS for Member reservations). KVPAC is located at 2501 S Mason Rd., #290, Katy, TX 77450, in the Southwest Equestrian Center complex.