A Midsummer Night's Dream

 

Last week was a harum-scarum week of dress rehearsals and performances for the kids' Shakespeare play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream."  They have been studying Shakespeare with our homeschool group for the past year and have been working really hard in rehearsals to produce an amazing play.  We had people attending the play that were astounded to learn that "ALL these children are homeschooled?!?  REALLY???"  I'm not sure what they expected from homeschooled children, but they were very impressed by the quality of the performance.  They did a fantastic job - even if I do say myself.

 

Katherine wasn't very happy about her part - she had to play a man and she didn't spend very much time on stage.  However, she loved her costume and by the final performance had relaxed enough on stage to make a superb Philistrate.

 

Andrew played an Athenian man named Nick Bottom - a weaver who gets together with other craftsman to put on a play for the magistrate's wedding.  The play is TERRIBLE (they are amateurs, after all) and the kids did a great job making their "play" as terrible as possible.  During the course of their "rehearsals," Nick Bottom is given the head of a Donkey by Puck (a mischievous fairy).  He was hysterical!! 

 

I loved watching the performances and enjoyed the feeling of community we have at iFamily - everyone does his/her part to make things run smoothly, help provide food and labor, and lift one another.  It was a great experience - if you don't count the hours I spent in the kitchen making 15 gallons of caramel popcorn to sell for concessions.  For all that, I'm REALLY glad it is over.  This week has been positively restful -  all we've had to worry about is school, two Ballroom recitals, and a campout with the scouts!

 

 

Katherine and her dear friend, Emma Lynn, waiting for rehearsal to begin.

Goofing off backstage.



"Play rehearsal" in the forest.  Bottom is going on about the "lion" roaring gently, so as not to frighten the ladies in the audience.

Bottom "singing" to show that he "isn't scared" when his companions flee and leave him alone in the forest.

The fairy Queen, Tatania, falls in love with Bottom.

The young lady playing Helena in the brown dress was amazing!  Puck is watching in the background enjoying the trouble she has caused.

Tatania brings Bottom to her fairy hideaway and allows him to rest on her own bed - she sleeps on the ground beside the bed.

The Magistrate and his bride (Theseus and Hippolyta) walking in the woods before their nuptials. 

"Hark!  I see a voice!"  Bottom and his troupe perform their really AWFUL play for the married couples.

Doesn't Emma make a lovely moon?

Taking their bows.

Andrew hated the mask he had to wear.  Getting all the adhesive off his play every night was a major endeavor!

Time to relax and meet the audience.  Andrew has quite an elastic face.

Philistrate and Hermia - the play is finally over!!!

Signing Autographs.  Katherine's beard has just been ripped off by one of the kids who stopped to visit with her.