CSC's Young Company to Present A Midsummer Night's Dream

Classic Stage Company will present the second year of its popular Young Company, which creates classical works specially tailored for family audiences.

This season's production will focus on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and will run from February 20 – March 4, 2007 at Classic Stage Company (136 East 13th Street).

"Columbia M.F.A. student actors will be featured in Shakespeare's most beloved play, in this thrilling evening of theatrical fancy for the whole family. Directed by Jeff Janisheski, A Midsummer Night's Dream will be presented in an abridged ninety minute version specifically geared toward student and family audiences," press notes state.  

"Enter the lush, colorful and mysterious world of Shakespeare's classic comedy. CSC presents this modern Midsummer of mismatched lovers, magic and the power of theatre itself in association with Columbia Stages, the producing arm of Columbia University's School of the Arts Theatre Division.  In tandem with the productions, Classic Stage Company continues their exciting educational outreach program, focused on the development of young actors and young audiences in New York City. Student actors of The Young Company will be functioning as teaching artists in a series of workshops on Shakespeare in NYC public schools, culminating in the students' attendance at special student matinees of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The overall goal of the program is for young artists to inspire young audiences."

Director Janisheski has been with CSC since 2004: first as Director of Education and Outreach, developing The Young Company's educational workshops; presently as Associate Artistic Director as a recent recipient of the TCG New Generations/Future Leaders Fellowship.

CSC is "the award-winning Off-Broadway theatre committed to re-imagining the classical repertory for a contemporary American audience. CSC presents plays from the past that speak directly to the issues of today. As we return to works of the past, we endeavor to keep a clear eye on the future, particularly in terms of the next generation of artists and audiences."

Tickets ($25 for the general public and $15 for students and seniors) are on sale now. Visit www.classicstage.org, call Theatermania at 212-352-3101, or toll free at 866-811-4111, or visit the theatre in person at 136 East 13th Street, between 3rd & 4th Avenue. The box office hours are: Monday-Friday 10am-7pm.