First-ever presentation of Shakespeare in Guelph’s Riverside Park
First Light Theatre is presenting the first-ever Shakespearean performance in the Riverside Park Bandshell at the end of May. This version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will stand out from other shows of its kind as it will be performed in a modern outdoor setting by very talented youth, aged 13 to 21, who will have undergone an intense training program leading up to the show.
Rob MacKinnon, director and First Light Theatre’s co-founder, chose this play very carefully. – “A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an ideal play to train young actors. The fascinating characters, the challenging language and the active plot give great opportunities for development of mind, voice and body. Shakespeare’s poetic genius for rhythm and rhyme provide graceful tools to make the actor’s job easier.”
First Light Theatre is not just a group that puts on plays; it has a greater focus on the process. Rosemary Walton and Rob MacKinnon, First Light’s founders, use drama to engage young people in an experience that will help build skills in leadership, communication, risk-taking, and commitment as well as an awareness of the power of cooperative work. Rob and Rosemary also enlist the help of many professional theatre artists to properly train the youth.
For example, to prepare for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the youth have worked with professional actors and instructors from Stratford to help them master the art of iambic pentameter.
This youth summer performance is only one of the many programs that First Light orchestrates in and out of the classroom setting. First Light also spearheads a curriculum integrated anti-bullying program, a Junior Summer Drama camp at the University of Guelph, a Junior Production Training Program (for ages 6 to 13) and various after-school and weekend workshops and classes. For a complete listing of First Light programming, please visit guelpharts.ca/firstlighttheatre.
“Never can anything be amiss, When simpleness and duty tender it.”
~ Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream V.1, 82-83 (Theseus)
At a glance…
First Light Theatre’s Youth Production Program presents…
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Pay-What-You-Can – Suggested minimum donation $10
(tickets available at the gate 2 hours prior to performance time)
Bring along a chair or blanket!
May 29-31 at 8 p.m.
June 1 at 2 p.m.
June 5-7 at 8 p.m.
June 8 at 2 p.m.
Note: The June 8th performance will take place in conjunction with the Ontario Arts Council’s Celebrate Our Artists Weekend. Join the cast early at 12:30pm for an interactive workshop.
Riverside Park Bandshell – Guelph (709 Woolwich Street between Woodlawn Street and Speedvale Avenue)
firstlight@primus.ca or 519-856-2517
www.guelpharts.ca/firstlighttheatre
