Young performers between 11 and 16 years old are being sought by the Apollinaire Play Lab for their August staging of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This youth production will follow the professional company’s July presentation of the same work at PORT Park, with all showings offered at no cost.
Environmental staging represents a hallmark of Apollinaire Theatre Company’s summer park presentations. The professional troupe moves audiences through the play’s action, positioning different scenes throughout various park locations. (Those who caught the 2016 PORT Park production of Hamlet might remember the lead character delivering his famous soliloquy from atop one of the park’s massive salt piles.) The Play Lab’s young performers will adopt this same environmental approach, guiding spectators from the Riseman Family Theatre into Chelsea Square for their version.
Directing this production is Armando Rivera, whose prior Apollinaire appearances include roles in Everyman and First Love is the Revolution. Since 2016—right around when the Riseman Family Theatre debuted at Chelsea Theatre Works—Armando has taught and directed at the Play Lab. According to Armando, “This is an amazing opportunity for young artists to create work that will be shared directly with their community. Our production of Shakespeare’s Midsummer will be a hilariously fun learning experience for everyone who gets involved.”
This coming Saturday, June 9 at 2:00, auditions will take place. Interested participants should email [email protected] to secure an audition time. A prepared monologue is not necessary, and no acting background is required. Those drawn to design work and backstage involvement should feel welcome to audition. The audition itself will operate as an open class where all participants collaborate together for 45 to 60 minutes.
Younger aspiring performers in Chelsea have not been overlooked by the Play Lab. Dance and singing performance classes for ages 4-11 are available this summer, with participating children taking on fairy roles during two of the youth Midsummer performances to enhance the magical atmosphere. No audition is needed for these classes, which operate on a first-come, first-served enrollment basis. Scholarships are extended by the Play Lab to anyone requiring financial assistance.
Leading the dance and singing performance classes is Crista Núñez, who joined the Play Lab teaching staff this spring. Originally from Guatemala, Crista brings extensive experience from her work at Ballet Armonía, where she has instructed more than 300 students. Her 18 years of ballet training followed the Royal Academy of Dance methodology from London. As a vocalist, Crista has earned first place finishes in national competitions both as a solo artist and as part of an ensemble. “Discipline and art are perfectly combined by participating in this class and performances of Midsummer,” Crista explains. “Students will grow as professionals, experience being an integral part of a performance, and gain confidence.”
The Neighborhood Developers (TND) and the City of Chelsea’s Downtown Initiative are collaborating on a broader summer arts initiative centered on Chelsea Square, which includes this youth Midsummer production. Two performance runs are scheduled—August 10-12 and August 17-19—with additional regular performances and live music happening throughout the summer in the square. Launching this summer series is an event on Thursday, June 9 from 6:00 to 8:00pm, where the Apollinaire Play Lab will operate a booth featuring fairy crafts and registration for both the auditions and dance and singing classes.
More information is available at aplaylab.com or by calling (617) 615-6506.
Apollinaire Theatre Company’s Play Lab initiative offers programming rooted in the company’s mission of producing adventurous contemporary theatre and free outdoor summer performances. Located in Chelsea Square, the Chelsea Theatre Works facility encompasses three performance spaces: the Apollinaire Theatre, the Riseman Family Theatre, and the Black Box, a co-working rental space serving Boston-area performing artists. Learn more at www.apollinairetheatre.com.