Arts & Entertainment

When Hip Hop Meets Shakespeare: DSU’s Rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By: Koya Perez

Get ready to laugh, cry, and jump with excitement!

On November 17 at 2:30 pm, and November 18, and November 19, at 7:30 pm Delaware State University’s Theater Department will be performing a modernized hip hop version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare. The play details a disastrous love triangle, magical fairies, and men turned in animals, in an anthropomorphize state. The Theater Department has recruited Spoken Word Artist United (SWAU), a spoken work, poetry, and rapper/singer group on campus to perform musical selections throughout the play. The play will be directed by Dr. Amanda Anderson.

Playing the roles of the main characters are Anthony McIver as Lysander, Adrian Hospedale as Demetrius, Jasmine Walker as Hermia, Moala Bannavti as Helena, Jaren Jamijon as Puck, Raven Wainwright as Titania, and Jaquan Romeo as Oberon. A full list of cast and characters can found in the Education and Humanities building, Dr. Amanda Anderson’s office.

The Hornet spoke with Jasmine Walker, who had this to say about the play, and her role: “My character Hermia can be seen as ‘the girl next door’. She believes in doing everything the right way. Hermia can also be seen as a hopeless romantic. She believes that everyone has a person in the world that was made to be with them. Hermia believes that a person should not be forced to be with someone they don’t love. True love to her is not a fairytale or fiction it is real. Throughout the play Hermia wrestles with many people including her own father in order to prove that true love exists and she alone should control who her true love is. I am very excited to be a part of this show! This will be my first Shakespeare play, and cannot wait to bring Hermia to life!”

General admission will be $5.00 for outsiders, and is free for DSU students with an ID.

In addition to performing, the Theater Department takes a hand in outreach in donating. Starting November 17, at the door toiletries will be collected for donations to The Shepard’s Place, a homeless shelter for women in children located in Dover, DE.

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Categories: Arts & Entertainment

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