THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC AND THEATRE PRESENTS
BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
AMidsummer Night’sDream
ARENA THEATRE
MARCH 4 TO 8
WEDNESDAY AT 8PM
THURSDAY AT 8PM
FRIDAY AT 3PM
SATURDAY AT 2PM & 8PM
SUNDAY AT 2PM
UAlbany Theatre
Department of Music & Theatre
College of Arts and Sciences presents
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
by
William Shakespeare
Directed by Michael Schantz
Scenic Design
Beck Clark
Lighting Design
Evan Anderson
Costume Design
Anne Croteau
Technical Direction
John Knapp
Stage Manager
Heavenlee Gonzalez
This production is made possible with the generous support of The John Orser ’55 Theatrical Endowment.
THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
I always balked at A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was never one of my favorites — I never understood it. I probably still don’t to a certain extent. But through this process, I find myself falling in love with it. And much like the experience of love, it is coming with some precariousness, as the team and I try to “figure it out.” If you’re lucky, there is always a sense of falling when you’re making a play, and that you don’t quite know if you’ll be safely caught. This play really asks for some surrender — surrender to the irrational, to the absurd. These are challenging human experiences to give over to, especially when there is such a premium placed on logic and control in our world.
I try not to approach plays from a terribly intellectual place, but from a guttural and visceral one. And though we've explored the play here through a sort of cerebral lens, linking its themes of irrationality and transformation (among others) to the Surrealist and Dada art movements, ultimately, it is the emotional landscape of the play that I am most concerned with --the inner transformative journeys of the characters, and the ordeals they must all undergo.
These ordeals unfold in an interwoven latticework of events inside a forest, which may or may not be a psychological forest of sorts. It is interesting to consider that these transformations occur inside of a dream, where I believe many of our transformations happen — behind our backs, as we wrestle with powerful unwieldy forces within ourselves.
Gender power dynamics, the irrationality of love, mistaken identity, mischief, absurdity... all of these collide and collapse into each other as the characters descend deeper into the dark night, only to emerge rebirthed and reordered, wondering if it was all a dream.
And we are left to consider the place dreams have in our lives; whether life itself is a dream, and how unnerving the suggestion is that if we perhaps listened more intently and surrendered to our irrational dreams, we might find something new and transformative.
Puck / Philostrate
Oberon / Theseus
Titania / Hippolyta
OTTO VAVAL
DAVID ESPINAL
ZOEY BLISS CAHILL
Lysander JARED LEWIS-HOLLIDAY
Demetrius XAVIER LAKE
Hermia ALLISON KRAWCZYK
Helena GABRIELLE VILLANUEVA
Nick Bottom HUDSON VILLANUEVE
Egeus / Peter Quince XAVIER ROSARIO
Francis Flute / Cobweb RYAN WILCOX
Robin Starveling / CAT BRADY Peaseblossom
Tom Snout / Fairy BRYAN ANTINORE
Snug / Mustardseed CHLOE POLANCO PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager……………………………………. EVAN ANDERSON
Props Supervisor………………………………………………….. BECK CLARK Costume Shop Manager
CROTEAU
Assistant Scenic Designer………………………………MARQUEZ JONES
Assistant Lighting Designer……………………………..AVERY LUENING
Master Electrician……………………………JOHANNA LEVITT-DINDAS
Assistant Stage Managers…………….STACEY HYSON, LOREL ROSS
Dramaturg……………………………………………………………..LOREL ROSS
Assistant Director………………………………………………… J. VINEYARD
Marketing …………………………………………………. SHERLYN JOAQUIN
Department Photographer………………………………………..LONG LIN
Light Board Operator………….……………..…....… HAYLEY WHITSETT
Sound Board Operator…………………………………SAMANTHA GLICK
Wardrobe Crew..………...………………………………….ZACH GOPILALL, AVA ARVAI, BIA BOUABBOUNE, NAFISA MOSTOFA, ALVARO PATRICK-GERALDINE
Run Crew .…….…………………….BRIELLE BURNS, NAZANIN MOSAVI, VICTORIA UGWUDIOBI, NATALIA ZEHNER
Scene Shop Technical Assistants …………………………... CAT BRADY, STACY HYSON, ESTHER LEVINE, JOHANNA LEVITT-DINDAS, AVERY LUENING, MALACHI REDD
Scene Shop Crew ………………….…………………. EMMA EIS, MALACHI REDD, XAVIER ROSARIO, HAYLEY WHITSETT, RYAN WILCOX
Scene Shop Lab Students………………………..
Electrics Crew………………………………………………………….
Costume Shop Student Assistants ……………………….
Costume Shop Bespoke Tailors……………………………LAUREL IZZO,
Costume Construction…………………………HEAVENLEE
Costume Shop Lab Students….…………………………….
BRYAN ANTINORE (Tom Snout / Fairy) is a senior from Ballston Spa. This is Bryan’s 6th show at UAlbany with other credits including Our Town, The Rocky Horror Show, Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein, and Taming of The Shrew. As well as a featured role in UAlbany's Fresh Acts new play festival. Bryan has also directed two plays featured in Fresh Acts.
CAT BRADY (Robin Starveling / Peaseblossom) is a junior, majoring in Theatre with a minor in Technical Theatre and Acting. She is currently a Technical Assistant in the theatre department's shop. She enjoys all aspects of theatre and has previously worked backstage on many UAlbany theatre department productions. This is her first onstage role. She is extremely excited to be a part of this production.
ZOEY BLISS CAHILL (Titania / Hippolyta) is a senior at UAlbany and is thrilled to be finishing out her career here with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You may have seen her recently in Our Town and The Rocky Horror Show. She is so grateful for every opportunity and will miss the theatre department here.
DAVID ESPINAL (Oberon / Theseus) is a senior with a major in Theatre Arts and a minor in Acting. Previous roles at the school include Stage Manager (Our Town), Lord Byron (Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein), and Dracula (Dracula). He would like to thank his friends and family for their continued support!
ALLISON KRAWCZYK (Hermia) is a senior in her last semester at the University at Albany as a Theatre major and a Musical Theatre minor. Previously she has been involved in productions of In the Blood (Amiga Gringa/Beauty), The Rocky Horror Show (Colombia), Taming of the Shrew (Vincentio), and RENT (Featured Ensemble). She has loved working on stage and behind the scenes in this department and wants to thank the creative team, staff, and peers that have helped her find her light over the last four years.
XAVIER LAKE (George Gibbs) is a Sophomore at the University at Albany majoring in Finance with a minor in Theatre. His most recent role was playing George Gibbs in the Theatre department's production of Our Town during the fall semester. He's excited to return to the stage once again for A Midsummer Night's Dream!
JARED
LEWIS-HOLLIDAY (Lysander) is a Junior at the University at Albany pursuing a BA in Theatre and Political Science with a minor in Acting. He will be playing the role of Lysander in this production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Recent credits at the University include Chilli and Jabber in ln The Blood, Percy Shelley in Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein, Willmore in The Rover. Oswaldo in Between Riverside and Crazy, for Harbinger Company and ensemble work in Capital Repertory Theatre’s Next Act Festival. Jared is grateful to God for this opportunity and Director Michael Schantz for trusting him with this role.
CHLOE POLANCO (Snug / Mustardseed) is a freshman at UAlbany and is thrilled to join the Theatre Department. She has appeared in multiple productions at her high school’s Drama Academy, including The Crucible and Chicago: The Musical. Chloe is excited to explore Shakespeare for the first time and bring her love of performance to the stage.
XAVIER ROSARIO (Egeus / Peter Quince) is a Sophomore at UAlbany who is very excited to be performing again this semester. He is a Theatre major and an Acting minor. Previous productions he has worked on include The Rocky Horror Show (Ensemble/Phantom), The School of Rock (Dewey), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), The Prom (Ensemble), Clue: On Stage (Mr. Green), and Freaky Friday (Adam). Xavier wants to send out a special thank you to his friends and family for their never ending support and love!
OTTO VAVAL (Puck / Philostrate) is a junior at the University at Albany. They’re a Theatre major with a minor in Acting. This is her second show she’s acted in at UAlbany, their first being The Rocky Horror Show. They have also participated in The Youth Playwright Contest Winners Reading held at The Capital Repertory Theatre in 2024. Otto has worked as the Assistant Stage Manager for Clyde’s and was the Assistant Props Supervisor for Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein, as well as the Props Master for In The Blood. Otto is so excited to work on A Midsummer Night’s Dream!
GABRIELLE VILLANUEVA (Helena) is a senior Theatre major with a minor in Acting at the University at Albany. Her previous credits include Our Town (Mrs. Gibbs), Machinal (Adding Clerk & others) and The Taming of the Shrew (Hostess/Widow), as well as a few staged readings and university showcases. Gabby is beyond ecstatic to bring this character to life in our own Arena Theatre, and so grateful to finish off her time at UAlbany with such a talented cast and creative team. She will cherish this forever!
HUDSON VILLENUEVE (Nick Bottom) is thrilled to be a part of the cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream as Bottom! He is a junior and a Theatre major with an Acting minor. He’s acted in Our Town, Machinal, and Fresh Acts (2024 & 2025) with UAlbany. He’s unbelievably ecstatic to help bring this show to life!
RYAN WILCOX (Francis Flute / Cobweb) is in her senior year at UAlbany, majoring in Criminal Justice and double minoring in Theatre and Legal Studies. This is her first show at UAlbany, but she has previously worked on several shows with Highlight Acting Troupe in Brunswick, NY, including A Christmas Carol, Once Upon A Pandora’s Box, and The Jungle Book.
HEAVENLEE GONZALEZ (Stage Manager & Costume Construction) is a fourth-year student at UAlbany. She is a Theatre major & a Theatrical Design & Technology minor. Previously at UAlbany, she worked on Our Town (Assistant
Stage Manager & Costume Technician), Rocky Horror Show (Assistant Stage Manager), Machinal (Assistant Stage Manager), Taming of the Shrew (Prop Assistant & Sound Board Operator). They are very excited to be working with this team & this cast on this production!
LOREL ROSS (Assistant Stage Manager/Dramaturg) is a senior at the University at Albany. She is a Theatre major and Psychology minor. She has participated in theatre for many years, performing in James and the Giant Peach , Into The Woods and She Loves Me. Working as an ASM for Sister Act for a student run theatre group, and Dramaturg for Our Town as well as props crew for last semester. She would like to thank her parents for their endless support and love.
STACY HYSON (Assistant Stage Manager) is a senior majoring in Theatre with a Theatrical Design and Technology minor. Previously at UAlbany she was a spotlight operator for The Rocky Horror Show and an assistant stage manager for Our Town. Locally she has worked with the Sand Lake Center for the Arts on their production of Puffs as the light and sound board operator and was the light board operator for Fort Salem Theatre’s Snow Business. She is very excited to serve as one of the assistant stage managers on this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
MARQUEZ JONES (Assistant Scenic Designer) is a freshman at the University at Albany, double-majoring in Theatre and Math
(BA) and minoring in Technical Theatre. This is his second production at UAlbany; his first was last semester's Our Town, where he worked as soundboard operator. He is originally from Georgia, where he worked on many productions throughout high school, including Midsummer, making this his second time working on this show. He is excited to be part of the team that brings this production to life.
MICHAEL SCHANTZ (Director) is a New York-based actor and director with a diverse career in theatre, film and television. On screen, Schantz has appeared in The History of Sound (Cannes, In Competition), FBI (CBS), Power Book III: Raising Kanan (Starz), Three Women (Starz), City on a Hill (Showtime), "The Blacklist" (NBC), and Wu -Tang: An American Saga (Hulu). On stage he has worked extensively at the country’s most prestigious theatres including New York Theatre Workshop, Page 73, Mint Theatre Company, Denver Center Theatre Company, Guthrie Theatre, Alley Theatre, Bard Summerscape, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, New York Stage and Film and Virginia Stage among others. He has directed numerous productions at The Stella Adler Studio of Acting and is a cofounder of Wheelhouse Theatre Company, whose productions have garnered critical acclaim, including NY Times Critics' Picks, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominations. Michael received his M.F.A. from NYU’s Graduate Acting Program at Tisch School of the Arts. He lives in Manhattan with his fiancé and their daughter.
BECK CLARK (Scenic Consultant/Props Supervisor) is a scenic designer, scenic artisan and the Visiting Assistant Professor of Scenic Design here at UAlbany. Professional design and assistant design credits include work at Cortland Repertory Theatre, Underscore Theatre Company, Colorado College, Hangar Theatre Wedge and KidSTUFF series, Arkansas Shakespeare Company, and more. Before joining the UAlbany Theatre Program, Beck was an Assistant Professor of Theatre Design and Technology at Angelo State University in Texas. They hold an MFA in Scenic Design and Production from the University of Arizona, and a BA in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
ANNE CROTEAU (Costume Designer/Shop Manager) is the Theatre Program's Costumer, designing costumes and supervising student designers for the production season. She teaches courses in theatrical design and costume construction and runs the costume shop. Previous costume design credits at UAlbany include Our Town, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein, The Taming of the Shrew, Rent, and many others since 2012. Last year, she designed costumes for Once on This Island for the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York. Other professional theatre credits include the American Repertory Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Costume Works Inc., Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Saratoga Children's Theatre and many others. Anne is the owner of Dress You Up, a custom bridal and formal gown design studio in Ballston Lake,
NY and a member of the Board of Directors for Not So Common Players of Clifton Park, NY. She holds an MFA in Costume Design and Construction from the University of Illinois, ChampaignUrbana; and a BA in Theatre from UAlbany.
EVAN ANDERSON (Lighting Designer/Production Manager) is a lighting designer and composer for theatre, dance, and film, as well as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Production here at UAlbany. His work has been seen and heard across the United States and internationally in Europe and Asia. Frequent collaborators include zoe | juniper and Paul Budraitis. Recent work: The Cottage, Jekyll & Hyde, The Winter’s Tale, It’s a Wonderful Life (Hartford Stage); The Plot (Yale Repertory Theatre); Pipe Dream (Berkshire Theatre Group); Symphony of Rats (The Wooster Group); The Greatest Story Ever, Blue is the light that doesn’t reach us, I Love That For You (Acker Statd Palast); Where The Mountain Meets The Sea, Constellations (Ancram Opera House). He is a Burry Fredrik Design Fellow and a graduate of Yale School of Drama.
JOHN KNAPP (Scene Shop Supervisor/Technical Director) John holds a BA in Theatre from UAlbany. He has been part of the team of students and artistic colleagues for approximately twenty-seven years, helping to build roughly 100 productions at UAlbany. John’s designs include The School for Scandal, Cloud 9, My Children! My Africa!, Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, The Importance of Being Earnest, and In the Next Room. John doubles as the Theatre Program’s Archivist. In 2006 John started
collecting documents (photos, programs, posters, etc.) to create a digital archive of Theatre at the University. We now have over 110 years of known Theatre history at UAlbany. If you have memorabilia that relates to theatre here, please contact John at: jknapp@albany.edu.
THEATRE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Chair of Music & Theatre/Producer…………............. KATE WALAT
Head of History, Literature & Criticism………….ESZTER SZALCZE R
Department Administrative Assistant…..… ILDEFONSO APELANZ
Administrative Services ...................................... ........PAC STAFF
THEATRE FACULTY & STAFF
Professor..........................................................ESZTER SZALCZER
Associate Professor.................................................KAT E WALAT
Lecturer…………………………………………………………..ANNE CROTEAU SHAUN PATRICK TUBBS
Visiting Assistant Professors…………………………. EVAN ANDERSON BECK CLARK MICHAEL SCHANTZ
Instructional Support Associate..............................JOHN KNAPP
Adjunct Instructors
ELLEN CRIBBS SARA FRIEDMAN DAVID GIRARD AMINA HENRY
ASHLEY-SIMONE KRAUS
ANGELA LEDTKE
JEAN-REMY MONNAY
YVONNE PERRY DESIRÉE CHAPPELLE STREETER
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