Duke of Athens, he is preparing for his wedding to the Amazon Queen Hippolyta, when he is interrupted by Hermia’s angry father, Egeus. He takes the father’ side saying to Hermia that she must follow his rules or follow the consequences. Paolo has been involved in the following shows: 5th Grade Play, Middle School Play 2019-20 (cancelled due to COVID), Production Play 20-21 Semester 1, 10 Ways To Survive a Zombie Apocalypse. He says: After having a lot of fun with the zombie play and meeting new people, I decided it would be a good idea to join this one to continue building fun experiences and make friends. Also, a Midsummer Night's Dream is the first play I ever performed so I have good memories tied to it and would like to add even more. I will most likely be taking more drama classes in the future and participating in more plays and other performances. I really enjoy the overall process and just seeing how much everyone improves at their roles over time and also how everyone gets to know each other and how friendships are created along the way.

Queen of the Amazons, she is not terribly happy about her betrothal to the Duke at the beginning of the play, since the wedding is due to her being bested in battle - but she has a soft spot for his charm and humour - and feels for Hermia and her situation. Mattea has been involved in '10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse',. While at my other schools I was involved in 'The Wizard of Oz', and 'Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine'. I really enjoy Theatre and acting and this was another opportunity. I definitely want to grow as an actor so I plan to join future performances if I can and most likely drama classes too. I really enjoyed working together as group with the other actors a part of the show, and the opportunity to be a part of this show!

Hermia’s father, he has already promised his daughter’s hand in marriage to another - Demetrius. He is not very happy to find out that she is in love with Lysander and wants to force the situation where she must follow his rule. Abay has performed in: 10 Ways To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse, Scenes From A Quarantine. He says: I had never done any narrative play in the past before, so I wanted to broaden my horizons from short story scenes to a play that is a long, drawn out story. I also think that being involved in a play helps with responsibility, improves your acting skills, and allows you to collaborate and make new friends. My future plan is to participate in new plays, as I think that I gain a lot from every experience and I truly enjoy acting and performing, so I don't see a reason not to continue. I will most likely also continue taking drama, as it's one of my favorite classes and I always feel like I improve my acting a lot in these courses. My favorite part of being involved in the show is collaborating with everyone to make sure we put on the best show we could possibly perform.

Master of Revels to Theseus, he is helping the Duke in all matters of business and state. Philostrate is the knower of all knowledge with access to the laws of Athens and reminds the Duke of his customary responsbilities. Ananya says: The Performing Arts are a huge part of my life, and so many shows have helped me get where I am now; including 10 Ways To Survive a Zombie Apocalypse, This is Your Brain on Social Media, Scenes From A Quarantine, A Simpler Time, and a previous version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. For the first time in three years, we've had the amazing opportunity to get back on stage and to perform a full-length show live - it's exhilarating to be back on stage, acting. The main reason I auditioned for this show was to be part of an ensemble again; to be able to know and grow with and rise with an incredible troupe of artists, all the while learning more about the craft. In the future, I'm looking forward to growing and improving as an actress. I can't wait to take more intensive performing courses; to be a part of more amazing ensembles; and most importantly to be on stage, performing again soon! My favorite part about being involved in this show has been the amazing relationships I've made thanks to it. I've gotten to know and grow under our phenomenal director, Mrs. McG. I've become closer to friends I had, and I've gotten to know people I didn't. I've stood backstage with all of these extraordinary people, all of us working together towards something bigger than any one of us. And all over again, I've gotten to experience the magic that is being a part of this big, crazy, wonderful theater family.

In love with Lysander and unwilling to give him up, she flees with him into the forest to avoid marrying Demetrius. The other option given to her by the Duke is to be grounded for life. Dunya has performed in: Head Over Heels, How To Succeed in High School Without Really Trying, Agatha Rex, A Christmas Carol, 10 Reasons You Should Have Stayed Home Sick Today. She says: I really wanted to start working on another show especially after the pandemic caused such as lack of opportunities to be involved in the performing arts. In the future I plan to study musical theatre and pursue acting as a career. I hope to have many more opportunities to perform before I graduate. My favorite part of this show was getting to be on stage again after such a a long break due to covid, I hope that seeing this show will lead to more people getting involved in theatre here at ACS and allow us to continue creating successful performances.

Childhood friend of Hermia, she is in love with Demetrius, and tips him off about Hermia’s plan to flee and escape with Lysander. Later she believes that Lysander and Demetrius are mocking her when they confess their love to her. This is Amber's first show and she says: I always wanted to be involved in theater because it sounded really fun but I have never had time due to other commitments at my old school. When I came here, this was the first year I have had time to join so I jumped at the opportunity! I am not sure what I was hoping to gain from this experience but it was definitely worth my time and has given me a huge sense of accomplishment. I do hope to be involved in theater more in the future, whether that is at school or someplace else. I definitely have a lot to learn still and I hope that even once I graduate next year, I can find ways to be apart of theater and grow my skills as an actor. Spending time with the rest of the cast is the best part of the show. Everyone is so kind and supportive. There is so much energy and excitement. I've made a lot of friends. I have also really enjoyed the chance to learn more about acting.

In love with Hermia, Lysander proposes to her that they run away together after Hermia’s father rejects him as a suitor. Later under Puck’s enchantment, he will instead swear that he loves Helena. Sami has been involved in four French plays: Moliere, Cyrano de Bergerac, Les Miserables, Le Cid and several sketches. He says: I've been involved in theatre for about 5 years now, so when I heard the news that there would've been a play in school, I decided to sign up and see how it would go. i'm intending to join next year's play as well, if there is one, and continue my tradition of doing school plays, and who knows, I might as well continue on to join an actual broadway show. My favourite parts of being involved in this show were trying out new things, getting out of my comfort zone, meeting new people who share the same passion as I do and making new friends.

Demetrius swears that he loves Hermia, and is pompous and full of himself, and is determined to have her follow the Duke and her father’s wishes that they marry. It comes to light that he had already wooed Helena, though he claims to be no longer interested in her. Rohan has performed in Simpler Time 2019(Cancelled) , & California Gold Rush 2015 (Elementary). Rohan says: I like to be very open and expressive. I enjoy being the center of attention, so I decided to do this play, get some acting time in. I plan on doing more classes Eh, drama classes totally, but I'm looking to do some play rights. Will I retire from plays? Heck no, I just started I'm not gonna stop. Though maybe in the future I can find ways to be increase my selection with my play choices. Memorizing lines and hanging out with the other actors, that's been the best part so far!

A carpenter and a director of the play within a play, Quince has to keep the actors in the line - including Nick Bottom - to present something complete and organized to the Royals for their wedding - as a present. Julz has been in the 10 ways to survive the zombie apocalypse and says: I really enjoyed the process for the last play I did and it gave me a chance to meet new people and I hoped that this play would be the same, and I love the sense of community it builds. I want to be in more plays and take more drama classes, and I’ve learned that I need to have patience with other people as they learn their roles and lines. I have loved being able to do really fun scenes with a friends and I love our set and costumes.

A weaver, and a bit of an egomaniac, where he believes that he can play all the roles in the play. Puck eventually sees this and gives Bottom the head of a Donkey, and Titania the Fairy Queen is enchanted to believe she loves him. Charlie has performed in: Scenes From A Quarantine, 10 Ways to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse, This is your brain on social media. He says: I love to act and it was always my dream to be in a Shakespeare opportunity and I know that some amazing people would be in this cast! I want to continue being in a drama class and explore the technical and emotional sides of acting! My dream is to one day go to LaGuardia High School and eventually NYU TISCH! My favorite part of the show is that cast! Talking with everyone outside of rehearsals and having a vibrant community in the show is amazing to have!

A bellows-mender, Flute is initially unhappy to be cast as Thisbe - a woman - in the play and does not like all the mushy stuff that is in the play. Lilia has preformed in 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse (earlier this year). She says: I wanted to get another feel of acting and explore my capabilities that extend beyond just screaming, but overall I wanted to see if I was more interested in the acting world! I think I'm going to do more drama classes and one more performance next year just to feel it rounded off. My favourite part of the show is definitely getting to fit in a more masculine outfit from the Renaissance!

A joiner - or a carpenter who specializes in woodwork like window trim and paneling - plays a lion in the play. Snug is not very confident and easily scared. Malak says: I've been in a total of two other plays, not including the ones I do for school purposes. One in sixth grade (sadly not presented due to covid) and one this year which was the ten ways to survive a zombie apocalypse. I wanted to get in the show because I thought it would be fun and a great experience to get to know some others. I particularly enjoy acting so I thought this would be a great play to grow from and improve as an actor. I wanted to gain more knowledge and get to learn from others and how they acted. I also wanted to gain the ability to get to know other people who enjoyed acting and people in that certain community. I think I have a lot to learn from and so I will be trying to get in to as many plays as possible. I will be trying to perfect my skills as much as possible and so I think getting into plays will definitely help with that. The excitement and community that is built is one of my favorite things about it. I feel like the bonds we make are what make the play so special. Another thing is probably the experience and things we learn from others during the show.

A Tinker - a traveling utensil and pan/pot repairperson - Snout plays the wall in the play, but struggles to understand how to really be a wall. Emily has performed in Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Leroy)2017, Matching up Mabel (Kyle)2018, Shrek the Musical (Ensemble) 2019, The Importance of Being Earnest (Stage manager), 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse (Christy scene 3 and 5). She says: I've always really enjoyed Shakespeare and anything related, and after 2020 I've been loving getting back into the arts and hope to gain better experience. I hope I'll be able to take tons more drama classes and expand my performances beyond the school. I love the community and being able to connect with more people in theater. I've also loved being able to see my friends perform more, not only that I feel like I've learned a ton.

A tailor, but not very clued in to what is happening around him. He plays the moonshine in the play. Starveling is easily distracted and often daydreams. Please see above for Ananya's information.

Kind of the Fairies and Puck’s boss. He and his Queen Titania often argue and he is jealous of the attention that the changeling baby that consumes her attention. He is often angry, and throws some tantrums - and the fairies are generally afraid of him. Oberon seeks a way to play a trick on Titania and colludes with Puck to find a way to teach her a lesson. Roy has performed in this play previously in Grade 5, and also This is your Brain on Social media in Grade 8. Roy says: I wanted to take the opportunity to learn more about drama as a whole and to gain better knowledge with characters. In the near future I definitely want to learn more about vocalisation with different characters and to fine tune all my major and minor problem. I have learned a lot more about drama just from the rehearsals alone, but there is much more that I need to learn. My favourite part of being involved in the show is learning about my character and working as an ensemble with all the actors and crew.

Queen of the Fairies, Titania takes the child of a one of her followers who asked her to care for him. Titania refused to give up the boy to Oberon. She eventually falls in love with Bottom when he was turned into a Donkey as part of the trick that Oberon plays on her. Isabella says: I have been in the 4th and 5th grade play stolen fire. I have been in the middle school play in 6th grade and the middle school play in 7th grade ( how to survive a zombie apocalypse). I wanted to get involved in the show because I thought it would be really interesting to perform a Shakespeare play for the first time. I want to continue to take part of theses middle school plays and continue taking drama classes. My favourite part of being involved in the show is how you make new friends and they can really help you to become closer to people or realize that you are a lot closer to a person then you first thought.

A follower of Oberon, Puck is a prankster and enchants Titania and Bottom. Puck also ends up enchanting Lysander and Demetrius - some of them on purpose and some through mistaken identity. Puck closes the play asking forgiveness for the mischief and requests the audience applaud the experience. Sydney has been involved in a show called catching fire, a play called scenes from a quarantine, and a play called 10 ways to survive the zombie apocalypse. She says: I wanted to do this show to gain more experience for a summer camp I'm going to. I don't plan to become an actress. But I do plan on participating in further plays whether I'm an actress, make up artist, or director. My favorite part of the show was getting a further look into behind the scenes, Mrs. McGarrigle made sure to share the process with us so we were always in the loop.

Titania’s fairy followers, they are told by Titania to entertain her, and then care for her new love Bottom. Cobweb wears a green dress. Nay says: It’s my first big show but I have been in little shows when I was younger and I’ve always loved acting I always made little skits for my family but this is my first big play. I wanted to join so I can get another chance to have an acting experience in middle school since I tried joining the previous play but didn’t get in. I wanted to gain a fun and educational experience and show how much I love being on stage and acting. I would most definitely want to participate in many other plays in the future and really would enjoy doing more stuff like this. Even though we haven’t performed yet my favorite part was probably having a lot of stage time and having a lot of fun with costumes and most importantly having this experience with my friends!

Titania’s fairy followers, they are told by Titania to entertain her, and then care for her new love Bottom. Moth wears a purple dress. Khushi has performed in Sunday School plays but this is her first school show. I wanted to be part of this play because I wanted to know how it feels to be in a play and what responsibilities come with it. I also wanted to learn acting techniques from people who have already been in plays to become a better actor. I want to be part of more plays. This play has definitely taught me a lot about acting. My favorite part of being involved in this show were the long Saturday rehearsals. It was really fun!

Titania’s fairy followers, they are told by Titania to entertain her, and then care for her new love Bottom. Mustardseed is given the Changeling while Titania is distracted with the donkey. Mustardseed wears a blue dress. This is Ava's first show and she says: I wanted to join the show because it seems fun to join a play and I thought it would be nice to try performing in a play. I would probably would like to do more performances in the future. My favourite part of being involved in the show is that I was able to try something new.

Titania’s fairy followers, they are told by Titania to entertain her, and then care for her new love Bottom. Peaseblossom wears a teal dress. Esin has performed in: 4th and 5th grade play for school (2019). She says: I really enjoy theatre and I wanted to become a better actor. I want to be involved in more shows and maybe take drama classes again. I liked being part of the experience of being in a show and having an opportunity to learn new acting skills and become a better actor.

Peter stepped in to help organize the show, logistics for costumes, props, cast food, tshirts, photos, anything that needed to be done - he helped get it done. Peter at times would also help with Directing students through rehearsals. Peter has been involved in plays like: Game of Tiaras, 10 reasons you should stay home from school, and blather blarney and balderdash. I've often times been an actor and haven't seen the technical side of a performance. This experience provides me with a challenge and gives me insight into other aspects of theatre. As I take the next step to college, I look to keep my passion in theatre alive. I'd love to take classes attend workshops as a way of further developing my skills. I really enjoyed getting to know some of the younger actors and seeing what their passions in theatre are. I've created great connections with many of them and can't wait to see their growth in theatre.

Juliana stepped up to design the lighting for the show - creating the visual affects with colours, patterns, shapes and placement of lighting to help you see the world through the eyes of the play. Juliana has been involved in: Arabian Nights, Songs for a New World, Night of Shorts. She says that she wanted to get involved because she wanted to get experience being in charge and to learn how to design something original and creative. Her future plans include either going to a theatre school or study theatre at a liberal arts school. Her favourite part of being involved in the show is to explore the creative freedom and ability to work on a production since covid.

Caoimhe stepped up to help design the sound for the show using Mendelssohn's music as the inspiration. She created the atmosphere of the show and managed the sound levels throughout to help you emotionally connect to the scene. Caoimhe has been involved in Sound -- Arabian Nights, Acting -- 10 Reasons You Should Have Stayed Home Sick Today. Caoimhe says: I think being involved in productions like this, whether it be as a tech person or an actor, is always fun and fulfilling for me. This play seems very cool and I am excited to help in any way I can. I don't think that pursuing a career or future as a sound technician is part of my life plan, however, I know that these types of experiences have taught me important, and mostly tech-based, skills that I will use in the long run. I think that being able to watch the actors understand their parts and really feel comfortable as their characters on stage is always amazing and definitely my favourite part of being involved in the show.

Dan stepped in with his usual charm and humour to help us backstage on stage left initially - but when a complication arose, he stepped in to help with the lights. He worked with the students, keeping them pumped up with energy and helped the show come to life. Dan works as the MS Drama teacher here at ACS and directed "10 ways to survive a Zombie Apocalypse" in November of this year.