The merger of two major arts organizations is providing an unprecedented opportunity for students at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Brooke Hardman Ditchfield is the MVRHS theatre teacher, and also the new artistic director of the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse.
Wearing both professional hats at once, Ditchfield is bringing her students to the Playhouse stage to perform Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” A dozen young actors and two backstage contributors, representing all grades and levels of theater experience, have been rehearsing regularly for the past month and a half. They will be offering two public performances tonight and tomorrow, May 28 and 29, at 6 pm, at the Playhouse.
Because Ditchfield’s new double-duty schedule is so intense, she entrusted primary directing duties to her fellow teacher, Project Vine English teacher Haley Hewson. Hewson grew up doing theater on the Island, and their off-Island teaching life included directing student productions. “I was very grateful that Brooke trusted me with this,” says Hewson, “and that I have the opportunity to help support this production.”
Most of the students involved are new to Shakespeare. A couple of experienced students handle the material almost as fluidly as contemporary speech, but it’s striking that those who are unfamiliar with the language appear unselfconscious about having to make an effort. The company radiates a collective energy of mutual patience, acceptance, and trust.
A recent rehearsal found Hewson working with Xeandre Miller, who is playing King Theseus. In the play, a group of earnestly inept craftsmen (known as “the Mechanicals”) perform a skit — or try to, anyhow — at his wedding feast. When Theseus gently heckles their goofy incompetence, one of them talks back to him as if to a peer. Xeandre doesn’t react.
Then Hewson reminds him he is the King of Athens: “You’re being spoken to by a commoner, which has never happened to you before. How do you feel about that?”
“Ohh, I’m not gonna be happy with that,” he realizes, and his face and body language adjust. The moment is not just an acting exercise; it’s a lesson for the whole group on social hierarchy and power dynamics.
Different things brought the students to this project. Some signed on because they’ll do any kind of theater, like senior Jason Jarrell (Bottom) who has acted, assistant-directed, and stage-managed. Some wanted to get more familiar with Shakespeare, like sophomores Lillian Claussen (Hermia) and Gabriela Cuadros-Preston (Peter Quince). Adagio Esposito was specifically drawn to the chance to play the mischievous fairy Robin Goodfellow, a.k.a. Puck, one of the play’s best-known and oft-quoted characters. “I’m really excited to play Puck — he’s a diva,” they say, slyly pleased.
Other students initially came to Shakespeare for less lofty reasons. Hydee Turner (playing Helena) had done plenty of theater, but only began doing Shakespeare last year, “because they needed people, and Jason Jarrell told me they’d get me candy if I did it — but I actually enjoyed it, so I did it again this year.” Senior Brady Vought (Demetrius) explains that last year, during rehearsals for the musical ‘Anything Goes,’ “I was [in the theater room] skipping a math exam, and someone quit the show and Brooke came in, head in hands, and said, ‘We need someone.’” He played five small parts, enjoyed it, and earlier this year played Hades in “Hadestown.”
What the students share is an appreciation for the experience itself, regardless of what they’re saying or where they’re saying it. “I love romantic stories, and Shakespeare is a romantic. And I’d like to share that love with these guys, and just have fun and enjoy it while it lasts,” says senior Tahirah Waite (Snout). Freshman Griffin Tiernan (Lysander), adds, “I really love being in all sorts of theater, and I think this community is great and I want to be a part of it.”
The public is welcome to be a part of it as well. Tickets are available for May 28 and 29 at 6 pm, at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse.