My name’s Sofia Anton and I’m a freshman. Some of my many interests include acting (what??), singing, martial arts, history, baking, music, watching movies, writing stories, dominating in trivia, making people laugh, and reading books that make me want to chuck them across the room. Out of joy, of course.
Why did you want to be involved in A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Is it what you thought it would be?
You know how everyone has that random obscure childhood show they watched over and over without getting tired of it? Mine was Baby Einstein Classics, Baby Shakespeare. It was your average 2000s children’s TV–stock footage of the most random things, reading of Shakespeare excerpts, and Beethoven’s music playing in the background of it all. I watched it so much I would memorize bits of the monologues. Budding theater kid right there.
In all seriousness, though, I wanted to be part of Midsummer because I thought the incorporation of aerials was insanely cool, even though I knew nothing about them. Also, despite being a Shakespeare aficionado, I’ve never performed Shakespeare before, so this is something I’ve always wanted to do.
What do you do for the play?
I act as one of Titania’s loyal fairies. Under the umbrella of acting falls singing, interpretive dancing, crawling, contorting myself in the most awkward of positions, and most of all, aerial silks. The fairies are a very visual part of the show, as we are up in the air for a good part of it, and it has been so fun creating with this new medium.
What is the play about? How have you helped create it?
Three separate stories–a group of amateur thespians, four conflicted lovers, and a whole lotta fairies–intertwine as a result of some misplaced love spells. Throw in crazy talented actors and aerialists and it truly feels dreamlike. I have helped create aerial movement and dances and provided bird sound effects for when it is called for. You’re gonna have to trust me on that last one.
Do you have any stories from rehearsal/crew sessions that you wish to share?
Honestly, I could write a novel about the shenanigans that occur during Midsummer rehearsals. I did say “Gimme your ankles!” to people a handful of times so we could do hollow body exercises, which threw them for a loop. Context, who needs it?
So… aerial dance? Do you get to use the silks/lyra? What’s it like? How did you learn?
Yes, yes, yes! I get to use the silks a ton and it has been a blast. I have a clear memory from prior to workshops during lunch when Figg said, “Climb up three times, then down three times.” We all thought it was an outrageous ask, but now the other fairies and I are scaling the twenty-something feet in the air on a daily basis. Being that high up with nothing but your own strength keeping you from falling is both exhilarating and empowering. I learned through our wonderful aerial instructor, Andrea, and core exercises. So many planks. This whole cast should have abs of steel by now.
Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue?
Undoubtedly the opening lines of the Fairy King and Fairy Queen–
“Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania.”
“What, jealous, Oberon?”
It pretty much encapsulates their relationship as it evolves throughout the course of the show.
Anything else you want to tell us?
To all thespians but specifically seniors, thank you all so much for the support you’ve shown me this season. One last hurrah in the form of Midsummer is more than what I could have asked for.
Come see A Midsummer Night’s Dream!
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