Sean Hennessy: Lighting Design Portfolio

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• Staged in the Chrysler Hall
• as Part of the Virginia Arts Festival
• from April 21st − May 2nd, 2005
• Written by William Shakespeare
• Directed by Lesley Ferris
• Conducted by: JoAnn Falletta
• Lighting Designer: Mary Tarantino
• Assistant LD: Sean Hennessy
• Costume Design: Kristine Kearney
• Stage Manager: Kristen Bowen

Synopsis of Midsummer Night' Dream: There are many worlds in A Midsummer Night's Dream: the world of the court, the world of the lvoers, the world of the fairies, and the world of the mechanicals. In the world of the court, Theseus and Hippolyta are planning their weddin. In the world of the lovers, Hermia is promised to Demetruis, but lovers Lysander. her best friend, Helena, is in love with Demetrius who only scorns her. In the world of the faries, Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairies, are at war with one another. In the world of the mechanicals, Peter Quince, Nick Bottom, and the other craftsmen are trying to put together a play to be performed at the wedding of Theseus and Hipployta.

When Hermia and Demetrius run away to the forest followed by Helena and Lysander, the worlds begin to intermix. In an effort to avenge Titania, Oberon instructs Puck to put a love potion into her eyes, causing her to fall in love with the first person she sees. When Oberon sees Demetrius scorn Hermia, he also requests that Demetrius be poisoned in the same way. After watching the mechanicals rehearse in the forest, Puck takes Oberon's wishes a step further and transforms Nick Bottom into an ass before leading him to the sleeping Titania. Then when Puck goes to poison Demetrius, he mistakenly slips the potion to Lysander. Upon realization of his mistake, Puck also poisons Demetrius. With both men in love with Hermia, Helena is beside herself.

Once the midsummer night has passed, Puck has corrected his mistakes leaving the lovers and Nick Bottom unable to differentiate between dream and reality. The play concludes with the weddings of Theseus and Hippolyta, Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius. As the couples await their wedding night, the mechanicals perform the tragicomic Pyramus and Thisby.

Mix Mendelssohn's Wedding March with King Oberon and Queen Titania, four lovers, a band of tinkers and tailors; top with Puck. It's magic!

The worlds continue to intermingle as the married couples are blessed by the fairies. As we are about to re-enter our world, Puck blurs the lines againÊbetween reality, stage, and dreams. He asks forgiveness for the mischief he created and assures that if we forgive him, he will make things right. As the curtain rises, we return to our world with Bottom's realization echoing in our minds; I have had a most rare vision.