Renovated McCallie Black Box Theater Shines in A Midsummer Night's Dream

Ever wonder how rock royalty Elton John would come across performing Shakespeare in shiny white platform shoes, bell bottoms, and a gold lamé jacket with white feathers for shoulder pads and his signature oversized shades?

Welcome to the McCallie|GPS Coordinate Theater Department's presentation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The play debuted Thursday night following a reveal of the newly renovated Black Box Theater and will continue with performances tonight at 7 and Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Much like the Black Box got a much-needed fresh coat of paint, among many other things in its summer-long, six-figure renovation, the Bard's 1596 comedy gets a fresh storyline from McCallie Theater Director Chelsea Padro.

No longer set in Athens, Greece, Padro places the cast in late 1970s Athens... Tennessee, complete with flowery silk shirts and bell bottoms for the boys and similar period attire for the girls. And all of it is set to an amazing soundtrack of ‘70s musical classics ranging from Sir Elton, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Billy Joel, and the Bee Gees, before wrapping up with the O'Jays' timeless “Love Train.”

"I should probably put the music up somewhere to be downloaded," said Padro with a smile after Thursday's performance. "I loved choosing that music."

One of the stars of the show is GPS junior Svenyarose Friebner-Mueller, who plays the lovelorn Helena while roller-skating through the entirety of the show. In her first star turn, she lights up the stage while deftly delivering page after page of difficult Shakespearean prose.

"We had to be ‘closed book' by October 12," she said, referring to delivering their lines without the aid of a transcript. "It took me over a week of studying every night to memorize it."

Padro actually expanded the roller-skating because of Friebner-Mueller's skill in that area.

As for the music, Friebner-Mueller said, "I've never been a big fan of '70s music, but a lot of my friends are. They're chill with it."

The most entertaining male performance belongs to Jack Rogers, the gifted senior thespian who previously starred in both 'Mean Girls' and 'Peter and the StarCatcher' last year.

His colorful costumes modeled after Elton John's on-stage wardrobes, Rogers discussed the joy of playing Nick (Bell) Bottom in the upgraded Black Box.

"For an actor, it's empowering," he said. "It's so much more professional. Everything is easier—the risers, the lighting. It's so wonderful to see this level of support for the arts from McCallie. It really helps elevate our performances."

At intermission, McCallie Head of School Lee Burns, who's made the arts a key component of the ongoing strategic plan Initiative, said of the performance, "These boys and girls are so talented. Just memorizing all that dialogue. And to see the joy, love, and passion for what they're doing. Chelsea has brought out the best of them. And now they get to do it in a facility that's worthy of those efforts. This is why improving the Black Box was so important."

Rob Stiles '90 thought it was so important that he was one of a number of alums who contributed to the Black Box redo. The father of Tripp '29 and Benny '31, he said Thursday, "It's important for McCallie to recognize the arts and make them a priority. Fixing up the Black Box was a major first step. It's good to support the diversity of our student body's interests, and it's good to support our coordinate programs with GPS, of which the theater department is one of the biggest."

Ryan and Nicole Rogers are Jack Rogers' parents. To that end, helping contribute to the Black Box fund was personal.

"This is really important for our students, and not just the theater department," said Ryan Rogers. "With the added risers, we can have other events here. If we put up a giant video screen on one end, we can probably fit the whole boarding department in here for a movie or program. As good as this is, as much as this was needed, this is only about half of what we want to do."

Even if it's only the beginning, Thursday's opening night exceeded Padro's dreams and expectations for both the play and the Black Box.

"This is the first time I've actually sat down and watched the whole performance, and I couldn't be more impressed and proud of my cast and crew," said Padro. "At this point, it's their show. They do all the work, and they did everything so well tonight. And the Black Box—this is something we can be so proud of now. So thankful to everyone who helped make these improvements happen."

As Thursday rolled into Friday morning, McCallie Dean of Students Tim Chakwin, who was in attendance Thursday night, sent out the following email:

"...I was so impressed. This is their game day, and they crushed it!! Set in the '70s, the quality of production and performance in the newly renovated Black Box is a must see. It's no surprise that Chelsea Padro and the talented coordinate theater program put on a top notch production. The chemistry of the cast and their use of the upgrades in that space is truly impressive!"

Elton elevates Shakespeare. Don't let the sun go down Saturday without feeling the love this weekend in the Black Box.

Get your tickets for the November 8 and 9 performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Learn more about our Theater Department and Coordinate Activities.

Stay updated on future performances and school events by following us on Instagram.