A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens tonight at DHS

Fairy King Oberon, left, played by Tristan Mullen, challenges Fairy Queen Titania, second from right, played by Caitlin Robertson, as her fairies Marlana Mitchell, Catherine Akins, Taneisha Robertson and Audrey Akins look on in amazement. (WAW | Michael Clements)
Fairy King Oberon, left, played by Tristan Mullen, challenges Fairy Queen Titania, second from right, played by Caitlin Robertson, as her fairies Marlana Mitchell, Catherine Akins, Taneisha Robertson and Audrey Akins look on in amazement. (WAW | Michael Clements)

The Tiger Arts Guild at Demopolis High School is presenting Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream this week at the DHS Auditorium.

The show, directed by Fine Arts Department Chair Jody Tartt, will feature more than 25 high school students involved directly with the production, with another 30 or so involved behind the scenes.

“These shows are so much fun because they’re a group effort,” said Tartt. “While you will see students on the stage during the show, there are more that are behind the scenes, designing sets and lighting, props, so much goes on that the audience never sees.”

Tartt, who has been at DHS for 14 years, last directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream about 10 years ago when she opted to set the show during the Harlem Renaissance.

“At the time, our students were studying the Harlem Renaissance in their English classes, so it fit well,” said Tartt. “That was close to 10 years ago, and well before we had this great facility we have today, so while I don’t like to recycle shows, I felt like this was a good time to bring this one back.”

Titania, the fairy queen played by Caitlin Robertson, sleeps in her bower attended by fairies Audrey Akins, Marlana Mitchell, Taneisha Robertson, Mary White, and Terrance Allen. (WAW | Michael Clements)
Titania, the fairy queen played by Caitlin Robertson, sleeps in her bower attended by fairies Audrey Akins, Marlana Mitchell, Taneisha Robertson, Mary White, and Terrance Allen. (WAW | Michael Clements)

This time around, Tartt chose to set the play in the 1970s.

“It’s kind of funny,” she said, laughing as reflected back to the decision a few months back. “I was listening to Pandora Radio, the Stevie Wonder Station, and just thought it’d be cool to set the show in that time period.”

The plot is fitting for the 70s—two adolescents going against the status quo desiring marriage in a society based on arranged marriages.

“It seemed fitting, and also like a time period that our kids could relate to,” said Tartt.

Tartt, who has been credited with starting the drama and theater program when she came to Demopolis in 2001, has continually developed the program into what it is today. When asked about the successes of the program, she is the last to take credit.

“The community of Demopolis has been so supportive. To be a relatively small town, Demopolis appreciates the arts. You look around and we have the Canebrake Players, the Two Rivers Arts Council, a phenomenal new facility for the arts here at the high school, it’s the community that allows things like this to happen through their support,” said Tartt.

From left Puck, the knavish sprite, played by Tyler Ward, enters fairy land dancing with fairies Marlana Mitchell and Catherine Akins. (WAW | Michael Clements)
From left Puck, the knavish sprite, played by Tyler Ward, enters fairy land dancing with fairies Marlana Mitchell and Catherine Akins. (WAW | Michael Clements)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens Thursday at 7 p.m. at the DHS Auditorium and runs Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission for adults is $5. There will be no Friday performance as Demopolis travels to Vigor High School for AHSAA football playoffs. 1970s attire is encouraged for theater-goers.

“This show is so much fun, and we want to encourage everyone to wear 70s attire when they come,” said Tartt.