The Ashland University Theatre Department is putting on Shakespeare’s classic, A Midsummer Night’s Dream this February 19, 20, 26, and 27 at 7:30p.m. and February 21 at 2p.m. in the Hugo Young Theater.

One of the main themes of this classic play is love.

“We started out looking at Midsummer as being about all different types of love,” said Director Patrick McGregor. “In Midsummer you get magical love, you get normal homo sapien love, and you get a little bestiality but in the end it’s all love.”

Set in the 1960s, this rendition of the classic is set to be an exciting production. All of the set and costume designs reflect the fun and colorful era.

Chair of the Theatre Department, Teresa Durbin-Ames says that the fun setting of the production will help to draw in audiences.

“I think looking at the design work, this is one of the most colorful things we’ve had on stage in Hugo in my 15 years here so I’m really excited how that time period brings bright colors,” said Durbin-Ames.

Since the play is set in the 1960s, it is only natural that the sound design includes music from the Beatles.

“I wanted to incorporate the idea of Beatles music as our sound design because in the 1960s, who better spoke to the idea of free love,” said McGregor.

According to McGregor, performing Shakespeare really helps actors to grow and develop.

“I’m a firm believer that if you can perform Shakespeare, you can perform anything because it’s a lot of learning to interpret language,” said McGregor. “It’s a lot of learning how to use your body to tell stories as well as your voice.”

All in all, A Midsummer Night’s Dream should be great entertainment for both the actors and the audience. McGregor and everyone else involved in the production has worked very hard to help make it a hit.

“I really hope this can be an escape for the audience,” said McGregor. “A couple of hours to escape and sit back, rock out, and laugh.”

Collegian reporter Ingrid Schmidt plays the role of Philostrate in this production.