(File Photo) Paige Doseck, Riley Matchinga, Emma Gandor, Lais Flores and Rose Wardlow, performed as the March family in Marietta College’s production of “Little Women: The Musical” in September, 2024.

The Theatre at Marietta College will present its annual Shakespeare by the River Festival in September with a new staging of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at East Muskingum Park.

Performances will take place at the East Muskingum Park Gazebo at 8 p.m. Sept. 4, 5, 7, 11, 12 and 13. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating.

This year’s production marks the 10th anniversary of the festival’s first staging of the play, directed by Andy Felt, McCoy associate professor of theatre. At the request of current Marietta College theatre students, the play returns with a new interpretation, featuring an ’80s-inspired fairy realm and a modern Athens.

“We had a large turnout of community members for our open auditions, including three actors from the original cast,” Felt said. “This time, we have a cast of 33, with about half coming from the community, including a children’s chorus.”

Community member Mark Abicht and MC alumni Gwen Sour ’22 and Victoria Humphrey ’24 will also return to the stage, each in new roles. Sour and Humphrey will appear as Oberon and Titania in three of the six scheduled performances as part of a “reunion cast.”

Felt reflected on the decade-long history of the festival.

“When I think back to a 12-year-old Victoria and a high school-aged Gwen, it reinforces how long Shakespeare by the River has been part of the community,” said Felt. “Maybe 10 years from now, we will produce Midsummer once more and see how many 2025 cast members come back to play in the park again.”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” follows a series of entangled relationships complicated by fairies, magic, and mistaken identity in the forest outside of Athens.

For more information about Marietta College’s theatre department and the 2025-26 season, visit marietta.edu/theatre-season.