A Midsummer Night's Dream Act 1
at Lake Braddock Secondary School

Reviewed on April 24, 2021

Hayley Asai
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

A hallowed tradition gets a new spin, leading to another triumphant year of mischief in the woods. Act one of Lake Braddock Secondary School's ingenious production of A Midsummer Night's Dream embodies accommodation in the most unprecedented of times.

A Midsummer Night's Dream, by William Shakespeare, has had plenty of time in the cultural spotlight. A 17th-century literary classic, the show details a whimsical cast of characters whose shenanigans spin webs of conflict and romance. In a clever new take, the traditional setting collides with the pandemic, creating a business merger and several genderswapped characters.

As a whole, the cast handled the notoriously challenging material with impeccable expertise. The acting, brimming with intention and drama, called to mind a professional performance. Titania, played by Ella Fosse, carried her character with a sense of debonair and elegance. Played in vigorous contrast, Linus Brannam offered an audacious and cunning Oberon to the refined Titania. In a like manner, the genderswapped Nikki Bottom, played by Riley Sheetz, was an absolute brazen delight. They issued forth a fluidity seldom present in young actors, in both their comedic delivery and acting.

Though all the actors should be lauded for their work on this piece, Savannah Raeder, who played Hermia, undeniably stood out from the pack. Portraying part of a same-sex couple while lacking canonical context for the relationship is no easy undertaking. However, Raeder did a fantastic job portraying the sensitivity and nuance required of someone in love all while masterfully reinterpreting the broader context of the relationship.

In any good show, the production design must complement the talents of the actors. This production was no exception. Gentle and whimsical, filled with lush draping greenery, the set made no compromises on beauty or function. Sungah Kong created a set sure to take the breath away of any viewer. Alongside this, Katie Brusseau must be commended for her soft lavender light that fostered an air of magic throughout the show. The final complimentary piece was the forest sounds, which lent a fantastical ambiance to the show and were contributed by sound designer Ant Manken.

The environment of the production was only improved by the brilliant costume and makeup design by Nora Jacobson and Alex Odell respectively. Jacobson's costumes are a fascinating variation on the modernized street clothes look. The fairies sported a style that was light and flowing, reminiscent of the simple harmony of nature. In contrast, Oberon's costuming followed his characterization and employed a confident black grunge look complete with a graphic tee. The quality of the makeup rivaled that of the costumes with Puck's horns seeming as if they were an organic extension of the actor.

Like any good piece of theatre, Lake Braddock's A Midsummer Night's Dream serves as a reminder that enduring works such as Shakespeare possess the potential to constantly be reinterpreted in daring and ever-relevant ways. Longtime Shakespeare fans and newcomers alike are sure to enjoy this fascinating variety on a beloved masterpiece.

Teresa Ribeiro
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Shakespeare set in the summer of 2020? Grab your pajama pants, whipped coffee, and hand sanitizer because Lake Braddock High School's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream Acts 1 and 2 is worth spending precious screen time on. The classic mixed up love story takes a new twist as it is portrayed through the lens of two businesses working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic. But don't be fooled, this beloved tale is not just a business-as-usual zoom call. The creativity of the technical elements, the attention to detail, and the commitment to character made the show as sweet as finding a store still stocked with toilet paper.

The medium-sized cast was full of noteworthy performances. Starting with a tiny, but mighty, ensemble: The Rude Mechanicals theatre troupe. Actor Riley Sheetz portrayed Nikki Bottom as a dedicated, over-the-top, and dramatic member of the troupe through her impressively animated facials and laugh out loud character voice. Their enunciation and physicality proved vital to making Shakespeare's humor easy to follow. Moreover, actress Gillian Oliver, playing Petunia Quince, reacted perfectly to Sheetz's unwavering dramatics. Her comedic reactions and no-nonsense voice allowed her to effectively depict a mature businesswoman who was not paid enough to deal with Sheetz's antics. Two other actors with equally commanding voices were Ella Fosse and Linus Brannam (Oberon and Titania). This helped make their status as king and queen very apparent. They also had fantastic "anti-chemistry"; their arguments were addicting and perfectly witty. Similarly, Jake Sizemore put everyone to sleep, in a good way, as the Rastafairy. He was very skilled at guitar and had a beautiful voice which put the fairies right to sleep. Indeed, one of these fairies stood out from the rest. Puck, performed by Lillie Rusch, truly embodied the sheer amount of spirit that is expected of this character. She was enthusiastic, spritely, and very vibrant. While these individuals contributed greatly, the show would not have been as passion-filled without every member of this polished ensemble.

In addition, the show benefited greatly from the use of detailed and creative technical elements. First, the costumes and makeup were essential in differentiating the many types of characters. From forest fairies, to businesspeople, to an ensemble of Rude Mechanicals, Nora Jacobson and Alex Odell did fantastic jobs meeting each character's specific costume and makeup needs. Next, the forest's soundtrack (Ant Mahnken), the lovely backdrop (Sungah Kong), and the lights (Katie Brusseau), that looked like they were coming through a cluster of branches, set the scene for an engaging and magical home for the fairies. Additionally, the attention to details like creating a logo for the company or changing the character's names slightly showed the crew's dedication to their specific vision of this famous story. Finally, none of this would have meant much had the show not been edited so well. Every shot was clear, visually appealing, and incredibly done by student technician Ethan Feil.

The well-rounded actors, creativity of the technicians, and the hard work from everyone created the great successes of this show. All in all, it was magical, captivating, and visually stunning even in its cut down state of just two acts. As much as the world is glad to have moved past the summer of 2020, it was funny and relatable to see one of Shakespeare's most popular works set so close to home.

Aidan Wilbur
Thomas Wootton High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Lake Braddock put a new spin on both an old show and an old tradition with their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Their interpretive blend between modern and medieval created an entirely new world full of beauty and magic, and the actors filled it with characters just as fantastic.

The play was originally written by William Shakespeare around 1596 and is one of his most popular shows. The show originally takes places in Athens as lovers Hermia and Lysander try to elope into the forest, theatre company the Rude Mechanicals rehearse for a performance, and Faerie King and Queen Oberon and Titania argue over Titania taking a changeling. Lake Braddock put a modern spin on the show, placing it in the summer of 2020 in New York City, where Athens Corp and the Rude Mechanicals are rival companies, and the forest is Central Park. It is Lake Braddock tradition every four years to put a different spin on the play, and the Cappies were shown Act One of their latest interpretation.

The entire ensemble remained committed and energetic throughout the performance, easily performing the difficult material. Hermia (Savannah Raeder) demonstrated great range in her physicality and expressions as her relationship with Ly Sander (Maggie Edwards) evolved. Edwards had a calm, collected presence while conveying these same emotions. Meanwhile in the forest, Oberon (Linus Brannam) and Titania (Ella Fosse) both carried themselves with a regality fit for kings, which had a humorous contrast with the way they interacted with each other, full of biting sarcasm and wit. Puck (Lille Rusch), Oberon's faerie underling, was extremely energetic and peppy, commanding attention whenever she was on screen. Each of the actors created a strong character, and their interactions wove together to make a magically compelling story.

The cast worked together with a phenomenal crew to bring the forest of stories to life. The first two scenes of the show took place on Zoom, and the next two took place in the forest of Central Park, and the editing (Ethan Feil) between these shots was seamless. The forest shots especially felt like they were being watched in person, rather than through a separated screen. The costumes (Nora Jacobson) gave each character an individual flair while blending modern and old elements, whether it was the faeries' lighted wings or Hippolyta's suit coupled with a crown. Throughout the third and fourth scenes, the masterfully crafted set (Sungah Kong), coupled with the fading purplish lights (Katie Brusseau) and the comfortable, nature-filled soundscape (Ant Mahnken) created a beautiful effect that felt like a real forest covered in the shroud of night. Each element alone was phenomenal, but when they worked together they produced a stunning result.

Lake Braddock's production of Act One of A Midsummer Night's Dream built a world unlike any other, taking pieces from present and past alike to immerse its audience into an entirely new experience. Just as their nighttime forest was full of faerie lights, this show was a light in the darkness of quarantine, serving as a reminder of the magic and love that still exists in the world even today.

Vishrut Shukla
Thomas Wootton High School
Submitted for publication to The Bear Facts

Fantasy and childish wonder enter the modern, quarantine world. Lake Braddock Secondary's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 1, by William Shakespeare delivers one of the bard's most beloved comedies in a time that has been troubling for all. The production combines Zoom theatre and a one actor filmed at a time method to tell the story of two rival businesses heading for a merger. Forbidden lovers from each company end up meeting in Central Park to escape their jobs, but instead find themselves getting caught in a war between fairies. With beautiful visuals and well delivered humor, this show is an uplifting tale that comes at the perfect time.

The cast at Lake Braddock Secondary do an amazing job delivering their dialogue and communicating meaning despite the language barrier between modern and Elizabethan English. Savannah Raeder, who plays Hermia, does a great job demonstrating her understanding of the language and delivering it. Raeder's chemistry with Maggie Edwards, who plays Ly Sander, is a highlight as the two actors play the romance and changing dynamic with ease. Riley Sheetz, who plays Nikki Bottom, is another standout performer. Their portrayal is attention-grabbing, especially in a scene where they must play multiple characters and transition between them gracefully. Lillie Rusch, who plays Puck, is phenomenal on screen. Rusch plays into the playfulness of the character while still managing to guide the story with a sense of sophistication. The entire cast does a wonderful job delivering this production.

The crew at Lake Braddock Secondary does a fantastic job making this production what it is. The editing, costuming, and set design all contribute heavily to giving the show the ability to take people into another world. Nora Jacobson's work in costumes and Alex Odell's work in makeup is the first thing the production highlights and it immediately grabs attention. It is clear that their choice to blend modern, corporate fashion with fantastical elements was well thought out and creates an aesthetic that is unique to this show. Sungah Kong's sets and Katie Brusseau's lighting work in harmony to create a mystical environment that the characters can live in. Finally, the editing by Ethan Feil ties the show together, allowing for a seamless production that does justice to Shakespeare's work.

Theatre during a pandemic is arduous and oftentimes scary. It can be a daunting challenge, but the cast and crew at Lake Braddock Secondary go above and beyond to tell a story that transports people to another land and away from the problems of our time. The theater company at Lake Braddock Secondary has been producing versions of A Midsummer Night's Dream every four years since 1992, and it is a joy to see traditions live on despite the chaos and history being made.

Amanda Jacobson
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to

Entangled couples and mischievous fairies clashing in the woods can only mean one thing: complete pandemonium. A Midsummer Night's Dream takes on this unique dynamic between real life and enchantment as Lake Braddock Secondary School put a refreshingly modern twist on this classic Shakespearean play.

Originally written in 1595, A Midsummer Night's Dream tells the story of "the lunatic, the lover, and the poet." The play follows four Athenian youths: Hermia, who is betrothed to Demetrius but is in love with Ly Sander, Ly Sander, who is in love with Hermia, Helena, who is in love with Demetrius, and Demetrius, who is betrothed to Hermia but was once betrothed to Helena. Hermia and Ly Sander forge a plan to run away and be secretly married which they confide in Helena, then wishing her luck in winning back Demetrius. The youths enter the mystical forest where they cross pass with the impish fairies and chaos ensues.

Understanding Shakespearean English can be very challenging and performing it can be even more so, but Savannah Raeder (Hermia) and Elizabeth Lavallee (Helena), spoke as though the words were coming directly from them. Both actresses had a clear understanding of the text and realistically pulled off their characters with consistent characterization and deeply emotional performances.

Perhaps the most energetic and committed actor was Lillie Rusch who portrayed the mischievous fairy, Puck. Rusch brought a new and unique spark to the classic character and she did not let the fact that she was acting for a camera limit her acting choices or characterization.

Anchoring this production was the overwhelmingly strong tech. The beginning of the play was purposefully set on a Zoom call and was acknowledged as a part of the set, which further allowed for a clear distinction between scenes. Every character's entrance and exit was seamless and as easy as clicking a button.

In addition to the Zoom setting, the play had a beautiful forest set designed by Sungah Kong. The set consisted of a beautifully painted purple forest backdrop but was heavily aided by the lighting, designed by Katie Brusseau, which made it look as though the only light in the forest set was seeping through actual trees.

The production flowed cleanly all thanks to the editing coordinator, Ethan Feil. Each scene carried smoothly into the next and when there were multiple characters interacting with each other, the focus shifted seamlessly between them.

The costumes, designed by Nora Jacobson, brought the almost 500-year-old story into the present day. Each costume reflected their respective character's personality and role in the play while still looking as though they were from 2021. The fairies, led by Titania, were dressed in modern takes on mystical fairy imagery with airy dresses and light colors and were adorned with glowing fairy wings and pointed elf ears. In contrast, the other fairies, led by Oberon, were dressed in a dark, modern-goth aesthetic creating a stark difference between the two groups of fairies, beautifully reflecting their conflicting ideas.

Performing Shakespeare can be a daunting task but when the right cast is combined with a talented technical team, it creates a truly pleasurable production and reminds people why theatre is such an incredible art form.