Tryon – Shakespeare & Friends returns this June with a brand-new, immersive adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set to enchant audiences with free performances on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29, at 9 AM and 11 AM each day. This one-of-a-kind community theater experience invites audiences to step into the story—literally—by moving alongside the actors through the winding forest paths of Rogers Park in Tryon.
It’s a fresh spin on a beloved classic, and one that director Michelle Newman is excited to revisit.
“This is the second time Shakespeare & Friends has presented A Midsummer Night’s Dream, said Newman. “The play is such a fan favorite, it makes sense to keep returning to it. The plot is easy to follow, the language is beautiful, and it’s still so funny four hundred years after it was written.”
The company first staged Midsummer in 2019, launching their community-driven theater initiative with a traditional outdoor performance. This summer’s production, however, reimagines the experience entirely. Instead of sitting and watching the action unfold on a single stage, the audience will journey through Rogers Park, encountering scenes in hidden clearings and wooded nooks, often just a few feet away from the actors themselves.
“Anyone familiar with Ren Faires and traditional Shakespearian performances knows that these stories are not meant to be told in a vacuum,” explained Aaron Ybarra who is co-producing the performance and plays the fairy king Oberon. “We, in theater, have an opportunity to steal people away for a few hours, transporting them from their normal lives in a park in Tryon to a magical fairyland in the forest of Athens, and then to bring them back again.”
The new adaptation runs a brisk 90 minutes, blending movement, interaction, and visual surprises that bring the magic of Shakespeare’s world to life in an accessible, engaging format. Audience members will be guided along a gently sloping trail—accommodations are available for those with strollers or mobility needs—and can choose whether they’d like to be part of the action or simply observe.
“It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of experience,” said Newman. “If you want to stay back and take it all in, that’s absolutely welcome. But if you want to play along a little—especially the kids—you just might find yourself caught in a fairy quarrel or helping an actor rehearse a play within a play.”
The story itself is one of Shakespeare’s most whimsical: a tangled tale of four young lovers, a troupe of bumbling amateur actors, and a magical forest ruled by feuding fairy royalty. Mischievous sprite Puck stirs up trouble, and enchantments cause confusion, mistaken identities, and hilarious chaos. Yet even in the mayhem, the themes of love, transformation, and forgiveness shine through.
“Why do we keep coming back to Shakespeare? The words are time-tested and familiar,” said Ybarra. “Generation after generation have told these stories in a thousand different ways. People can edit these stories in a way that is applicable and meaningful to them while still keeping the heart and intent of the thing.”
This year’s cast includes 14 performers hailing from Tryon, Columbus, Asheville, and Hendersonville, with many having worked with other local theater companies throughout the region. Several cast members are returning from the 2019 production, lending a sense of continuity and community to the new adaptation.
“There’s something really special about bringing back familiar faces,” Newman said. “It’s like picking up a conversation with an old friend, but this time with new stories to tell.”
The performances are free to attend, thanks to the generous support of the Polk County Community Foundation. Audiences are encouraged to arrive early—pre-show festivities begin at 8:30 AM each morning with snacks, crafts, face painting, and other family-friendly fun.
Although tickets aren’t required, reservations are encouraged to help the company manage group sizes and create the best experience for everyone. Walk-ups are welcome, but space at each performance is limited.
“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable,” said Newman. “This production was created with our community in mind, from the youngest theatergoers to lifelong Shakespeare fans. Whether this is your first Shakespeare play or your fiftieth, we hope you’ll come out and be part of something joyful.”
With morning sunshine filtering through the trees, laughter echoing through the park, and the thrill of live theater unfolding step by step, A Midsummer Night’s Dream promises to be a highlight of the summer theater season in Western North Carolina.
To learn more or reserve your spot, visit www.shakespeare-friends.com/midsummer.