Auditions for ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ June 17-18

June 15, 2020 Pagevalleynews 0

~ Press release issued by Performing Arts of Luray

LURAY — Performing Arts Luray (PAL) will present Shakespeare in the Park for two performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on October 3-4.

The play will be performed at the Luray Singing Tower park to allow for state-mandated social-distancing among patrons. The event will also include local food and beverage vendors, following state guidelines.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream particularly inspired Jennifer Goff, PAL board member and the creative director behind the production: “Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream inspires us to use our imagination to help us cope with reality rather than dismiss it. It is such a delightful play that focuses on laughter and love as the antidote for sorrow and strife. That’s what we need right now.”

“PAL’s mission is to explore, study, and enjoy the performing arts,” adds Lowell Baughan, president of the PAL Board of Directors. “We support the community with our diversity of high-quality entertainment. What better way to diversify our productions than to produce a fantastic, community-wide event outdoors, especially given the current circumstances?”

PAL hopes to involve adults, teenagers, and children in the production. As a Page County Public Schools teacher, Goff hopes that the event will foster project-based learning for students: “It’s one thing to read Shakespeare in the classroom. It’s another to perform it, produce the sound for the production, build the sets, create the art for the program, and perform background music. Performing Arts Luray wants to involve young people in all aspects of the production. Participating in a play is a great way to build real-life skills as well as cultivate an enduring life of the mind and an appreciation for the arts. Plus, it’s fun!”

Auditions for adults, teens, and children will be held by appointment only on June 17-18 to abide by state guidelines for social distancing.

Those interested in auditioning or working on the show should email Jennifer Goff at jgoff@performingartsluray.org.

Rehearsals will follow the same social-distancing protocol: “The safety of our actors, patrons, and volunteers is our utmost concern,” says Bonnie Anthony, PAL board member and communications director. “PAL observed precautions regarding COVID-19 even before the governor enforced guidelines, and we are certainly going to put safety first now and going forward. Fortunately, we are in Phase 2 and can look forward to bringing the community together for a beautiful event that still follows the governor’s recommendations.”

For more information about auditions or to donate to PAL, please visit www.performingartsluray.org.