Midsummer Night's Dream in a family concert at Orchestra Hall

Roxanne Dominis shared the link to this presentation of A Midsummer Night's Dream at a family concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with actors from Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, on Saturday, Feb. 13. It features Felix Mendelssohn's incidental music for the play. Here's a performance of that music from a summer night in Germany, led by American vocalist and conductor Bobby McFerrin.

 

Costume info for 5-6 play, "Two Tales of Shakespeare"

What actors in the play should wear

The opening of our “Two Tales from Shakespeare” asks audience members to use their imagination “to deck our kings.” But even with everyone using their imaginations, we still need costumes. They help tell the audience about our characters, and they help actors feel more like the part they’re playing. So here’s information about costumes for the 5-6 play. 

Some good looks on Pinterest--both plain and fancy.

Costumes don't have to be elaborate. You can probably pull some basic pieces together from things you already have in your closets. I'm happy to answer questions or help with ideas. Email me at ggotsch@graceriverforest.org.

Students should bring their costumes to school on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Boys in Macbeth  

Includes: Macbeth, Banquo, Angus, Ross, Macduff, Macbeth 
Narrators, Soldiers (including India and Jaelyn), Doctor, 

Dark, earthen colors. Leggings or close-fitting pants and a hip-length long-sleeve loose-fitting tunic in a plain solid color. This could be a t-shirt or similar rough looking shirt. We will have fabric belts to tie these around the hips. 

Extras for a distinctive look: Layer a short-sleeve shirt over a long-sleeve one. Add a long vest or jacket. Wear boots, gauntlets, foul weather gear. 

Lady Macbeth, Gentlewoman 

Long dresses in deep colors. Lady Macbeth needs a long, plain nightgown that is white or a light color.

Weird sisters. 

Leggings or close-fitting pants or a long skirt in dark brown or black and a dark shirt. 

Helena and Hermia

Long dresses in pretty colors. It would be ideal if the two Hermias and the two Helenas wore similar colors--we'll see if that's possible.

Demetrius and Lysander

Leggings or close-fitting pants and a tunic top. Similar to boys in Macbeth, but in bright colors. Again, it would be ideal if the two Demetriuses and the two Lysanders wore similar colors. 

Bottom, Quince, Flute, other Mechanicals

These are tradesmen—a weaver, a tailor, tinker, bellows-mender--who would wear rough clothes. Brown or beige pants, maybe corduroy. Long-sleeve t-shirt. Extras: Maybe an apron, or carpenter apron, knit cap, vest, sweater, gloves.

Fairies 

White or light blue or light green leggings and shirt. (We’ll add chiffon-y something over the top.) 

Oberon, Puck and Titania—please talk with Ms. Gotsch. I want your ideas!