The Gordon State College Theatre Department opens its 2016-17 season with one of William Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

The hilariously magical production will be presented Wednesday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 2 on the stage of the Gordon State College Fine Arts Theatre.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream is fast paced and will serve surprises behind every corner with live music, magical love spats and a spellbinding scenic design," said Director and assistant professor of theatre Lisa Cesnik Ferguson. "Bring your imagination and get lost in the forest with Puck, Titania and Oberon, a band of 'hempen homespun' actors and four extremely lost lovers. Audiences will experience the always-relevant words of William Shakespeare in a fresh, unexpected way."

Joining Ferguson in staging the production is Associate Professor of Theatre Tony Pearson, scene and lighting designer; Associate Professor of Music Neil Boumpani and costume designer Lauren Paris.

Performances Wednesday through Saturday begin at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee Sunday at 2.

Tickets for each performance are available at the door and are $10 for adults, $5 for students. Admission for Gordon students, staff and faculty is free.

The Friday evening Sept. 30 performance will feature a special "Dinner and a Show" option for patrons. For $25 interested patrons can enjoy a three-course, gourmet meal in Highlander Dining Hall before the play. The "Dinner and a Show" option is a limited seating event and reservations can be made by calling 678-359-5052. Dinner seating is 5 to 6 p.m. with no one seated after 6. A round-trip shuttle service will be available between Highlander Dining Hall and the Fine Arts building.

The cast includes

Characters Cast

Theseus (Duke of Athens) Jacob Rivera

Egeus (Father to Hermia) Michael Hicks

Lysander (In love with Hermia) Christian Madura

Demetrius (In love with Hermia) Nathan Rogers

Philostrate (master of revels) Nick Mann

Peter Quince (a carpenter) A'Maury Rakestraw

Snug (a joiner) Oliver Jones

Nick Bottom (a weaver) Dante Pereira

Tommi Snout (Tinker) Shannon Krenek

Robin Starveling (Tailor) Ashley Cannon

Hippolyta (Amazon Queen) Jayla Myers

Hermia (In love with Lysander) Trish Williams

Helena (in love with Demetrius) Taylor Drawdy

Oberon (King of Fairies) Shamar Bailey

Titania (Queen of Fairies) Brianna Moore

Puck (Oberon's servant-fairy) Maleah Hatcher

Peaseblossom and Fairy Abbie Caoette

Moth (a fairy) Howard Smith

Cobweb (a fairy) Jayla Irwin

Mustardseed (a fairy) Ashtyn Bailey

Attendants:

Oberon's Attendant Howard Smith, Maleah Hatcher

Titania Attendants (See fairies above)

Theseus and Hippolyta Attendants: Ambria Walker, Da'Shaquan Green, Angelnique Orr, Keeno Krieger, Maya Rose

Stage Manager/Director's Assistant Donovan Dickinson

Assistant Stage Manager Marlena White

Properties Georgia Cone