by Jake Perrine

Director

For the past two school years, the Orcas Island Education Foundation, Orcas Island High School, Orcas Center and I have been collaborating on a “Theatre as Literature” class offered as an English credit to students.

Last year, the class performed several scenes in the Beatles tribute “Across the Universe.” Since this past September, my co-teacher Val Hellar, 16 students, and five adult actors have embarked on a grand new adventure via a production of Shakespeare’s classic romp “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Many of the students have never been on stage before, much less had any acting training, so we’ve “thrown them into the deep end” to contend with the Bard’s symphony of language.

While this production sports a modern setting, including cellphones, video, electronic music, and aliens, Shakespeare’s text and timeless themes of love, nature, and self-discovery are all still front and center. That his multi-faceted characters of yore transpose beautifully onto contemporary memes is a testament to his deep understanding, and ability to portray, the fundamental chords of human nature. Like reverse engineering some intricate origami creature, we have unfolded this text line by line to (re)discover ourselves at the center.

I am truly proud of the journey we have taken together, and the immense effort and growth these students have gifted to themselves and the community. Join us April 1 or 2 for an evening of magic, mirth, and mayhem!

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performances are at www.orcascenter.org.