The CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Performing Arts Program will present the whimsical William Shakespeare classic ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ April 11-13 in Malibu Hall on the CSUCI campus.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is the story of four royals who get lost in the woods only to have a playful fairy named Puck manipulate their desires with magic flower juice and other tricks.

“This play is really special to me because I have written so many papers about ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’” said director and theatre instructor Laura Covault. “It seems whenever the characters disappear into the forest, they always come out transformed.

“There’s a love quadrangle, hilarity and a group of rag-tag wannabe actors who do a play within a play … and most important? It’s got fairies.”

Dance studies major Gabriella Perry plays Puck, a physically and mentally demanding role, but a lot of fun.

“Puck is so mischievous and fun and interacts with everyone,” Perry said. “We have all these platforms on stage and they have me running around literally jumping from platform to platform.”

Covault co-directs the show with CSUCI senior Makiko Compton and performing arts alumnus Griffin Giboney (’23), who said he learned a lot by directing a show with 16th century English dialogue.
 
“I feel like, in Shakespeare, it’s even more important to know your character’s motivation than in any other play, because in other plays you can rely on dialogue to communicate the story,” Giboney said. “The way the play is written, it’s a little bit vague so you can take liberties. It’s really like a blank canvas of sorts.”

Performances are at 8 p.m. April 11-12, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 13.

Ticket prices are: free for CSUCI students (w/campus ID); free for other students (with ID); $15 for CSUCI faculty and staff; $25 for the general public. To buy tickets, click here or here.