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Community Partner A.B.L.E.‘s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, adapted by Emma MacLean, will take place June 10 – 11, 2023 upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
“Lord what fools these mortals be!”
This spring, Chicago Shakespeare Theater Community Partner A.B.L.E. (Artists Breaking Limits and Expectations) returns to the stage and its classical roots with a multimedia version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, updated for our social-media obsessed times. The modern adaptation by A.B.L.E. teaching artist Emma MacLean focuses on the themes of connection and disconnection. The king and queen of the fairies are fighting, the mechanicals are rehearsing a play but no one knows their lines, and the Athenian teens keep changing their relationship status. Join A.B.L.E.’s ensembles as they wander in the Athenian forest where texts are missed, calls dropped, and love is an emoji away.
This multimedia production weaves Shakespeare’s words with original scenes, monologues, songs, and dances devised by our ensembles, as well as animated film sequences from VFX designer Brock Alter. The virtual ensemble will narrate the tale for us in as the in-person ensembles take the stage Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Free Workshop
Before the show, audiencs are invited to participate in a 45-minute interactive workshop with A.B.L.E.’s Creative Associates and Teaching Artists. Experience some of the games and activities A.B.L.E. used to bring their ideas to the stage, get a touch tour of key costume pieces and props, and try A.B.L.E.’s signature “dropping in” method. This exclusive opportunity is only available to 20 ticket holders each day—you’ll have the chance to add the Workshop to your order after adding a performance to your cart.
Saturday, June 10, 5:30 p.m.: Colleen Altman, Kaylie Honkala, Andrew Kosnik Arin Mulvaney, Melanie Zehner
Sunday, June 11, 12:30 p.m.: Rachel Buchanan, Kaylie Honkala, Matt La Chapelle, Arin Mulvaney, Melanie Zehner
Accessibility
- This is a relaxed and sensory friendly performance
- This performance will be open captioned
- This performance will be dual ASL interpreted
- There will be a pre-show touch tour for audience members who are blind/low vision
Can’t attend live? That’s okay! Performances will be available to stream On Demand later in 2023 from ableensemble.com
More about A.B.L.E.
A.B.L.E. – Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations – is celebrating their 6th anniversary of creating theatre and film projects for, with, and by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A.B.L.E. engages actors ages 13 and up through performance ensembles, specialized workshops, and outreach programming. Whether in person or online, all A.B.L.E. programs strive to foster agency, and nurture lifelong skills like communication, collaboration, and creativity. A.B.L.E.’s ensembles have produced more than 25 projects for the stage and screen, ranging from adaptations of theatrical classics by Shakespeare, Dickens, and Gilbert & Sullivan, to original work, to innovative Zoom projects including Romeo & Juliet Remix and the interactive story series Anthology. A.B.L.E.’s feature films have been recognized by several local and international festivals. By placing people with disabilities in the spotlight, A.B.L.E.’s work strives to shift societal preconceptions, and build more inclusive, empathetic communities. For more information about A.B.L.E., please visit www.ableensemble.com.
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