The king and queen of the fairies are fighting, the mechanicals are rehearsing a play, but no one knows their lines, and the Athenian teens keep changing their relationship status….“Lord, what fools these mortals be!”
A.B.L.E. returned to the stage and our classical roots with a multimedia version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, updated for our social-media-obsessed times. The modern adaptation by A.B.L.E. teaching artist Emma MacLean focuses on the themes of connection and disconnection. Join ABLE’s ensembles as we miss texts, drop calls, and wander love-struck in the Athenian forest. This multimedia production weaved Shakespeare’s words with original scenes, monologues, songs, and dances devised by our ensembles, as well as animated film sequences from VFX designer Brock Alter.
Each performance featured two completely different casts, with actors playing multiple roles inside the performance, giving them a chance to show different strengths and different sides of their personality. A.B.L.E.’s virtual ensemble served as narrators through the tale; they appeared onscreen throughout the production as a gaggle of gossiping fairies commenting on all the mayhem onstage via a group chat.
The Virtual Ensemble Appearing Onscreen in Both Performances
Actors: Rachel Buchanan, Benjamin Collins, Natalia Janik, Fletcher Jones, Matt La Chapelle, Emily Lavin, Mila Medina, Lucas Miezal, Maddi Perez, Tommy Shimoda
Facilitators: Nette Angelini, Chelsea Hosler, Erica Johnson, Sorcha Pardoe, Julianne Shea, Polly Yukevich
Teaching Artists: Lawrence Kern & Emma MacLean
The Monday Ensemble
Actors: Christian Boyd, Sandia Coleman, Martin Conway, Sophie Earvolino, Ryan Foley, Anna Luzadder, Maggie Marren, Matt Marren, Lucy Walsh
Assistant Stage Manager: Sam Radinsky
Stand-Ins: Matthew Danaher, Claire O’Leary
Facilitators: Chloe Belongilot, Shannon Diegel, Mary Feigenbutz, Erin Nishida, Margaret Sheils, Lindsay Stock, Haley Wolf
Teaching Artists: Braden Cleary & Kiaran Hartnett
The Sunday Ensemble
Actors: Colleen Altman, Colin Baar, Marissa Bloodgood, Jack Butler, Samuel Floersheimer, Peter Grzeslo, Andrew Kosnik, Emily Kwidzinski, Maggie Leal, Jake Solworth, Eric Williams
Facilitators: Amy Bahr, Gretchen Goetzman, Megan Gray, Marilyn Halperin, Jo Jennings, Blake Macias, Kate McDuffie, Susan Sjodin
Teaching Artists: Perry Hunt & Katie Yohe
A.B.L.E.’s 2022-2023 Season of Connection was partially supported by grants from: The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development, The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, The Illinois Arts Council, Innovation 80, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and The National Endowment for the Arts, and individual donors like you!
