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GSC History

Gary Shakespeare Company was founded in 2013 by a group of Shakespeare enthusiasts who believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience a live performance of Shakespeare's works.

Our past productions have included:

• King Lear (Summer '13),

• Romeo and Juliet (Spring '14),

• Twelfth Night (Summer '14)

• Much Ado About Nothing (Summer '15)

• Macbeth (Summer '16)

• As You Like It (Summer '17)

• Hamlet (Summer ‘18)

• Othello (Summer ‘19)

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream - online edition (Summer ‘20)

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GSC MISSION:

Gary Shakespeare Company is dedicated to bringing actors and audiences of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds together in the enjoyment of the works of William Shakespeare and in the shared experience of live performance.  We seek to enrich the public spaces of Northwest Indiana with passionate, vivid performances that reflect and include our community.

GSC Board of Directors:

Mark Baer (President)

Kelly Horton (Vice-President)

Janice Pritchard (Treasurer)

Jim Severa (Secretary)

Christina Biancardi (Historian)

Naomi Lyles

Stephanie Naumoff

Timothy O'Donnell

GSC PARTNERS:

We rehearse in residence at Theatre Northwest in the Indiana University Northwest’s School of the Arts, 3401 Broadway, Gary.

We are a member of the Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation. nietf.org

The production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is funded by a generous grant from the Indiana Arts Commission.

In July 2016, GSC was awarded a grant from the Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s community foundation of an effort to make our productions more widely available.

Finally, we appreciate the support of all of our venues including Ogden Gardens Park, Lake Hills Amphitheatre, Living Hope Church, Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve, Founder's Square Park, Griffith Central Park, Bulldog Park, Cedar Lake Band Shell, and Centennial Park.

Synopsis

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Running Time: About 2 hours, 30 minutes

There will be one 10-minute intermission.

Part 1

In the mythical city of Athens, King Theseus and his wife-to-be Amazonian Queen Hippolyta disagree about how to handle the complaints of Egeus over the marriage of his daughter Hermia. Threatened with death or a vow of chastity if she does not agree to marry Demetrius, Hermia flees to the forest with her lover Lysander. Soon Demetrius and Helena pursue them into the wood.

Meanwhile, a group of simple tradesmen are excited to try their hand at acting. Thier director, Quince, assigns the leading role to They agree to go into the forest to rehearse their play.

Upon arriving in the forest, the lovers find themselves caught up in a civil war between the fairy King Oberon and his Queen Titania. Titania is sung to sleep in her glade, unaware that Oberon is lurking close-by ready to dose her with his love potion.

As Oberon watches, he observes a quarrel between Demetrius and Helena, and instructs Puck to give a portion of the love potion to this cruel Athenian boy.

But Puck discovers sleeping Lysander and, mistaking him for Demetrius, uses the potion on him.  Mischievous Puck also happens upon the tradesmen while they rehearse in the forest, and he mockingly transforms Bottom's head into that of a donkey.

When Titania wakes, the first creature she sees is Bottom, the ass.  She is smitten and orders her fairies to serve her new lover.

Part 2

The four lovers are in heated turmoil.  Puck tries to correct his mistake but only causes more problems.  Oberon finally intervenes, removing the spell from Titania, corralling the lovers, and applying the love potion to Lysander.  

The next morning, the King and his new Queen are out hunting when they discover the sleeping lovers.  When they explain their newly sorted feelings for each other, the King overrules Egeus and declares that both couples will be married at the royal celebration tonight.  The lovers wonder if they are still dreaming but accept their happy fate.

Bottom also awakes, back to his original form, but transformed by his experience with the fairies.  

The King chooses the tradesman's play for his nuptual entertainment and all enjoy the heartfelt performance.  Meanwhile, peace has been restored to the fairy kingdom.

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Michael Litke Adams

Frances Flute, the Bellows Mender

Michael Litke Adams (Francis Flute) is thrilled to be returning to the stage with GSC. Michael has appeared in GSC’s production of Hamlet (Bernardo, Osric) as well as Theatre Northwest’s production of Peter Pan and Wendy (Michael) and has filled the roles of props manager and stage manager for Theatre Northwest multiple times. He currently resides in Michigan City with his partner while he completes his bachelor’s degree in theatre at IUN.

Mark Baer

Nick Bottom, the Weaver

Mark Baer (Bottom) is excited to return to the stage this season having portrayed Benedick (Much Ado) and Macbeth (Macbeth) for GSC in past years. Mark is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Indiana University Northwest where he serves as President of the Faculty Organization. He is a founding member of the Gary Shakespeare Board of Directors and also serves on the Boards of St. Croix Festival Theatre and Community Advocates for Education. He resides in Crown Point with his wife Kelly and daughter Samantha.

Christina Biancardi

Helena

Christina Biancardi (Helena) can't believe she's getting to play one of her dream roles...LIVE! Previous GSC credits: Hamlet (Hamlet); Romeo & Juliet (Tybalt). Other recent credits: Dearly Departed (Suzanne) at Beatniks on Conkey; M for Murder (Margot) at Genesius Guild; Peter Pan & Wendy (Pirate/Wind/Water) at Theatre Northwest; Homeward Bound (Director)at Living Hope Church. She did 3 Zoom shows during the lockdown; she loves taking walks and chilling outside with her dog, Swayze.(Saint John).

Alexander Bonner

Oberon

Alexander Bonner (Oberon) is pleased to be returning to GSC having previously played the role of Macduff in GSC's production of Macbeth. No stranger to NWI theatre, his recent credits include Macduff in Chicago St's production of Macbeth, Smee in 4th St Theater's production of Peter and the Star Catcher as well as Teddy in Arsenic and Old Lace and Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz at Footlight Players. He resides in Michigan City. He would like to thank everyone that supports him in his acting endeavors and everyone for supporting local artists.

Kai'lani Booker

Fairy Dancer

Kai'lani Booker is 4 years old and has been dancing for 1 year. She just completed her first full season as a mini at Asia's Dance Factory, and is excited about the upcoming season. She enjoys acrobatics and coloring.

Jimmy Burch

Puck

Jimmy Burch (Puck) is excited to be playing the role of Puck in this year’s production of Midsummer. He recently played Francis Flute in GSC’s virtual performance of this play last summer. He has also been a part of IUN Theater Northwest playing Dr. Seward in Dracula, Valère in The Miser, and understudy of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. He has worked with Gary Shakespeare Company playing Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, and with West Side Theater Guild playing Lieutenant Byrd in A Soldier’s Play. (Lake Station)

Mae Colette

Peaseblossom

Mae Colette (Peaseblossom) is looking forward to being on a stage once more. Her last production was GSC’s virtual performance where she played Mustardseed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other credits include an ensemble member of Love + Information (Theatre Northwest); Lucy in Dracula (Theatre Northwest); Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (GSC); Mary Warren in The Crucible (Griffith High School); and Mike Teevee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Crown Point Community Theatre). Mae believes that theatre is an amazing gift for not only self-expression but also learning about the human experience.

Jon Fetsch

Peter Quince

Jon Fetsch (Peter Quince)has been a fixture in NW Indiana theatre for three decades. The 39-year-old (or so he still claims) has participated in numerous productions with almost every local group. Most recently he co-starred in THE SUNSHINE BOYS as Al Lewis. Other notable roles include Dave in THE FULL MONTY, Brother Boy in SORDID LIVES, and Franklin Hart, Jr. in 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL. Jon directed the play SORDID LIVES and hopes to direct a production of MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, as well as other shows. MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is Jon’s favorite play by Shakespeare.

Mia Godfrey

Hermia

Mia Godfrey (Hermia) of Crown Point is super excited about reprising the role of Hermia this summer. She will be a senior at IUN graduating with a bachelor’s in theatre and two associates in psychology and business administration. Mia has had varying theatre roles onstage and off since high school from lead roles to chorus as well as stage management. This is her (third?) production with GSC and she’s glad to be back for this summer!

Brandon Hearne

Demetrius

Brandon WL Hearne (Demetrius) has been a part of every GSC production. He is a Gary native and currently works as a branch manager at TCU. His wife and family have always been his greatest support. Previous credits: Othello (Othello); Hamlet (Claudius); A Soldiers Play(Louis Henson); A Doll's House(Nils Kronstadt). He rode every rollercoaster at King's Island except 2.

Anthony Holt

Tom Snout, the Tinker

Anthony G. Holt (Tom Snout, the Tinker) is excited to make his Shakespeare debut with Gary Shakespeare Company. Anthony can recently be found behind the piano as Musical Director, or at the tech booth designing lights with the Marquette Highschool Performing Arts in Michigan City for the past 5 years. Anthony has been seen in Oliver (Noah Claypole), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Deputy), and Once Upon a Mattress(Prince Dauntless) at Footlight Players of Michigan City. Outside of theatre, Anthony can be found sitting at his desk as an Academic Advisor at Marquette Highschool or at the Organ Bench of St Mary's Michigan city as the Music Director. Anthony is thrilled to have joined the cast and is excited to work with this group of actors again.

Raymond Huntington

Snug, the Joiner

Ray Huntington (Snug) is performing Shakespeare for the first time ever with GSC. Ray has been an active participant in NIETF at his “home theater” Geniesius Guild for the past 4 seasons both on stage and in the tech booth. His alter ego Justin Payne fosters racing hamsters during their off-season; he resides in Robertsdale and has an irrational fear of revolving doors.

Keith Loeffler

Theseus

Keith Loeffler (Theseus)has a theatrical career spanning more than 30 years. He last played Pooh-Bah in the Dunes Summer Theater production of Mikado, but is more often seen in the lighting booth. Keith has designed lights for productions across Northwest Indiana - including Evil Dead: The Musical at CST, Jekyll and Hyde at the Dunes, Dracula at Portage Community Theater, and most recently, Clue: The Musical at Memorial Opera House. Keith is thrilled to have been cajoled into joining the cast - there was fudge involved.

KyLeah Martin

Mustardseed

KyLeah Martin (Mustardseed) of Gary, is a freshman theatre major. She recently appeared as Alex in Street Brawl (21st Century High School Theatre Club), Woman in Compatible (IUN 10 Minute Play Festival 2021), and Lillian in Last Day of Camp (IUN 10 Minute Play Festival). KyLeah dreams of playing a woman on Broadway or being in films someday!

Stacie McCurdy

Titania

Stacie McCurdy (Titania) is a Highland resident. This is her first show...EVER. She's a chemistry teacher turned ICU nurse. She tried out for the show after reading Brene Brown's book The Gifts of Imperfection and decided to bring creativity into her life.

Kimberly Meyne

Hippolyta

Kimberly Meyne (Hippolyta)has appeared on NWI stages in The Odd Couple, The Importance of Being Earnest, Fruitcakes, and Willy Wonka to name just a few. Kim has also done some television acting: in 2012, she played an extra in Mob Doctor, and in 2013, she was cast in a lead role in a short film titled To Ride the River. (Valpo

Lexie Oliver

Fairy Dancer

Lexie Oliver is age 4. Lexie has completed one year at Asia's Dance Factory with competing in 2 dance competitions on the Mini team.

Dexter Pritchard

Starvling

Dexter Pritchard,(Starveling) a lifelong region resident, returns to Gary Shakespeare company for a 3rd time. Dexter has been active in local community theater for the past 7 years, after a stint as the creature in Frankenstein which reignited his passion for the stage, he has appeared in Hamlet, Macbeth, As You Like It, and a Midsummer Nights Dream (online) along with parts in One Flew Over the Cuckoo`s Nest, Stealing Home, and Moonlight and Magnolias. Dexter is looking forward to performing in front of a live audience once again after the long shutdown. (Valpo)

Quinn

Otis the dog

Quinn was born on March 9, 2019. Came from a good home but he decided to strike out on his own in adolescence. Wanted to be an Olympic 100 meter sprinter but his never-ending desire to please people brought him to bathe in the floodlights of the Stage with, of course, the attendant treats that are showered on him. His favorite places are the sofa as well as the humans' bed, as long as there are pillows. He loves to bark at others walking by the house as well as beg for dog biscuits and other treats.

James Severa

Egeus

James "Jim" Severa (Egeus) of Hammond has done everything GSC has ever done - either on stage, back stage, or building the stage... and before that, 5 years as a production designer for Purdue University Calumet Theatre Company... and various community and school system productions). He is the oldest officer on GSC Board of Directors.

Rodney Thornton

Lysander

Rodney Thornton (Lysander) is a Hobart resident. You may have seen him in GSC's As You Like It a few years ago. Other credits: All My Sons (4th Street Theater); Fool for Love (Chicago Street Theater). He has performed in over 30 shows around the region and hopes to continue doing so.

Kimberly Perz Volek

Cobweb

Kimberly Perz Volek (Cobweb) from Merrillville has worked on GSC shows: Othello; Hamlet; Romeo and Juliet; King Lear. She has recently worked on The Mysterious Unknown Revealed podcast. She is a proud new mother to a lovely little boy; and she is an avid reader and gamer.

Jurnee Vaulx

Fairy Dancer

Jurnee Vaulx is 5 years old. She has been dancing with Asia's Dance Factory since June 2021. Her favorite class is Hip-hop. Jurnee enjoys learning, especially TikTok videos. She will attend Kindergarten in the Fall.

Stephanie Naumoff

Director / Costume Designer

Stephanie Naumoff (Director) has enjoyed performing, directing, and designing for over 30 years in multiple area theatres, as well as various venues in Chicago, and across the country. She has worked on productions in community, educational, and professional settings. Stephanie has also enjoyed lecturing and teaching courses in acting, directing, costuming, improv, and Shakespeare for local middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Stephanie was honored to portray both Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing and Maria in Twelfth Night for The Gary Shakespeare Company. She was also elated to direct her favorite of Shakespeare's works: Macbeth, for GSC in 2016, she worked on the co-directing project of GSC’s Othello in 2019 with Brandon Hearne, and took on the direction of the 2020 A Virtual Midsummer Night’s Dream during last year’s Covid epidemic. Stephanie also does a great deal of theatrical costume design, having costumed over eighty productions in her lifetime, and looking forward to many more. Shakespeare has always been a passion of Stephanie’s; a passion that she shared with her father, who was the greatest actor she has ever known.

Shellerray Barnes

Fairy Dance Choreographer

Shellerray Barnes
Associate Dance Instructor at Asia Dance Factory

Shellerray Barnes is a native of Gary, Indiana and found her purpose at the tender age of 5 when she began her love affair with dance via Corrine's Dance Studio. At Corrine's Shellerrays' talent was immediately evident as she studied ballet, jazz, modern and tap. By the time she was 14 years old Shellerray had ascended to the position of student teacher. Shellerray would continue her arts education as a Dance Major at Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Center. In 1994 as a freshman in High School, Shellerray placed 4th in Hal Jackson's Ms. Talented Teen International, a competition held in the Virgin Islands. After graduation in 1997, Shellerray would later become a dance team member for the Gary Steelheads, take numerous dance classes and partake in both acting and dance performances. In 2018, Shellerray was a cast member in the West Side Theater Guilds production of The Wiz. In 2019 Shellerray had the privilege of dancing for the Jackson Family as they broke ground on the Hard Rock Cafe.

Shellerray, who affectionately calls Asia Dickens and Arnisha Fulton mentors, is currently in works to own a facility that will house and combine the powers of Dance, Reiki Healing, Quantum Healing, Yoga and the Rhythm of our ancestors under one roof.

Mark Baer

Production Manager

Christina Biancardi

Graphic Design and Promotions

Kim Perz Volek, Kyleah Martin, Mae Colette

Scenic Decoration

Tim O'Donnell

Scenic Painting

James Severa, Dexter Pritchard, Rodney Thornton

Props Artisans

Susan Naumoff, Rodney Thornton

Costume Assistants

Jimmy Burch and Rodney Thornton

Fight and Tumbling Assistants

Multimedia