Midsummer for Haters is showing June 3-18, 2022! In this collaboration with Nemesis Theatre Company, Shakespeare’s beloved classic gets a new treatment by the people who can’t stand it, resulting in a kidnapped Amazon, mystified mortals, sadistic fairies, and mechanicals gone wild! Will any of them survive four nights in the magic forest?
We reached out to actor Katie Jones to find out more about her and her experience working on this unique production!
What do you hate about Midsummer?
Every production that I've ever seen hasn't presented a clear story and always played to the lowest common denominator. It also presents views on love that are disturbing - part of that was Shakespeare's take on things and the time period, but this play is particularly bad about it.
What do you love about Shakespeare?
The language. The way he throws out small references that come back to be very important later. The way he makes you care about characters, even, and especially, when they're put into a preposterous situation.
What’s your favorite scene in this show? Why?
Right now, my favorite scene is when Hippolyta first imagines the Mechanicals and Bottom comes to life. (I haven't seen very many of the others, yet!)
Do you relate to your character or to any character in the show? How similar / different are you?
I relate a lot to Hippolyta, as we've created her for this production. When she is in a bad situation, she escapes into her own world of make-believe. This is something I've often done in life, especially as a younger person - and who doesn't love a squishy stuffed animal?
She also stands up for herself in a big way and is literally a warrior queen. Obviously, I am not an Amazon, but she is making me thinking about the warrior within me in a way I haven't in a long time.
What are 5 songs that you feel represent the mood of this show?
Dead Men Don't Rape, Love Is A Battlefield, Love Is A Losing Game, Amazon Queen, Killer Queen.
How did you get into theatre?
I was in a school play when I was 7 years old. I got to play Gladys Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It was a magical experience and I've been hooked ever since.
How is working with The Magnetic different from working with other theatres?
Magnetic is willing to take a chance on projects that are in process, giving trust to the creatives hired for the project, and presenting audiences with exciting material that they couldn't possibly see anywhere else.
Have you done any research or read any books / listened to any interesting podcasts related to the play's subject matter that you'd recommend?
Yes! Thanks to Melon's tips for this, I have read a little bit about the mythology on Theseus and Hippolyta, the Amazons, and Scythian women.
How is working with Nemesis different from working with other theatre companies?
It's been amazing working with Nemesis! The thing that stands out to me is the way our director, Melon Wedick, fosters ensemble within the cast and allows so much freedom and creativity. I feel supported and that there is clear leadership, while the atmosphere is still highly collaborative.
Tell us about the experience of playing two different parts in two different Midsummers simultaneously.
For me, I'm technically playing the same part, but because the two shows are totally different, it feels like I'm playing two very different versions of that person. It's been wild and very fun.
How do you feel about not knowing which version of the show you're doing until Egeus says his first line?
It's a little scary, a little exciting and I'm so curious to see how it feels in the moment!
Biography
Katie is a director, performer, and educator, having worked at regional theatres in Sarasota, Chicago, and Denver. She is a member of Directors Lab, both New York and Chicago, as well as Wishbone Theatre Collective. Katie has a BA from Clemson University and an MFA in from Naropa University, where she focused on devised theatre and new play development. Locally, she has worked with Asheville Creative Arts, Immediate Theatre Project, and the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. Katie serves as Co-Artistic Director of The Magnetic Theatre, along with Jessica Johnson.
Midsummer for Haters is showing June 3-18, 2022 at The Magnetic Theatre in Asheville, NC. Grab your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=134503