Roles

Theseus: Young but rigid, puffed-up, formal, repressed, by-the-books – a soldier.  In love with Hippolyta, but cannot truly reveal his soft side until the final scene.  The marriage is actually a stipulation of a peace agreement between Athens and the Amazonians.

Hippolyta: Direct, independent, vital woman who is forced into a political marriage.  She is horrified by how the women are treated in Athens and by the cold manner of Theseus.  Only in the final scene does she something in Theseus that makes her fall in love with him.

Philostrate: Could be male or female depending on auditions.  Serves as Theseus's personal secretary.  He/She is older than Theseus and serves has a sort of parental affection for him.

Egeus: Hermia's father and a minister in Theseus' court, possibly also military.  While he has an affection for his daughter, he is more driven by questions of status and honor.  Older man.

Hermia:  Typical teenager in love for the first time.  She wants to escape the confines of her world, but does not know how to do it.  She is more of a Sandra Dee type, but she does enjoy having the attentions of both Lysander and Demetrius.  She is attractive to Lysander and Demetrius in part because of her station.

Helena:  More bookish than that Hermia.  She spends her time in study and might have glasses – carry a book.  She does not have the advantages of Hermia's station.  She is the ward of someone in the court rather than being of noble blood, perhaps a ward (but not a relative) of Demetrius's house. Hermia's childhood friend and confidant. Taller than Hermia.

Lysander:  Not of noble blood, his suit of Hermia reaches above his station.

Demetrius: Demetrius comes from a noble family that is closely aligned with Egeus's family.  He is the natural match for Hermia, and their families have raised the children together with such and intention.

Quince:       He is the manager of the storeroom at the mine, and the best reader of the group.  Older man with the sensibility of a clerk, but a clerk that is surrounded by the world of the mine.

Snug – joiner, lion: A mousy man who speaks little but is an excellent artisan.

Bottom – weaver: The blowhard of the group.  The ex-high school quarterback type who is seeking any kind of recognition and glory.

Flute plays thisbe – beard coming in, bellows mender:  Youngest of the group, has just advanced on from being an apprentice and is so happy to be included in this crowd.

Snout – tinker, pyramus's father:

Starveling – tailor – plays moon, etc:  He is named for his constant and voracious appetite.  A jolly giant of a fellow – amiable.  Always eating – apples, onions …

Robin Goodfellow, Puck:  Oberon's reluctant servant.  He is boyish, a bit cocky and loves pranks.  He is an artful dodger type of character.  He is springy and loves little gears and springs, playful machinery. He is a bit of a daredevil and might fancy an aviator's cap and goggles.

Oberon:      A bit of a blowhard and a bully – but this is mostly bluff – he loves to collect and attach items to himself that he feels give him weight and authority – gears, plating, pistons, locks, keys.  He is very drawn to the impressive and massive world of factories.  However, for all his bluff, underneath he is a softy and is truly in love with Titania.

Titania:       She is the yin to Oberon's yang.  She is wispy and graceful.  She would not be weighed down by the items she has acquired.  Rather she would turn them into something light and almost alive – maybe even weaving the brass into cloth.  She is also very connected and attuned to the natural world and is a bit concerned about the upheaval taking place in the environment.

The Fairies: (Planning to cast as women)

                   Peaseblossom:  Little, gentle and spritely.  Loves vines and little flowers. Might collect those in brass, or brass butterflies. Playful and looking to pollinate.

                   Cobweb:  Spidery and a little dangerous.  Wants to pull people into her web.

                   Moth:  Actually may have wings and brass antennae.  She flits around and flirts with what catches her eye.

                   Mustardseed:  Spicy and exotic.  She will bring tears to your eyes.