A Midsummer Night's Dream

This performance is part of the Theater Series.

Also available in the Face to Face Series.

The Show: “The course of true love never did run smooth (Act 1, Scene 1”). The story begins with the Duke’s efforts to resolve Hermia’s love conflict. She plans to elope with Lysander to escape her father’s decree and the threats of perhaps dying for her refusal to marry Demetrius. Hermia confides in her friend Helena, who secretly pines for Demetrius. Helena’s pursuit of Demetrius through the woods fuels the comedic chaos, as he chases Hermia. Meanwhile, the King of the Fairies, Oberon, and his Queen Titania clash over a magical child. Oberon, seeking revenge, commands his fairy servant Puck to fetch a mystical purple flower capable of making anyone fall in love with the first creature they see. Mistakenly applying the potion to Lysander, Puck causes him to fall in love for Helena. Further chaos erupts when the juice accidently falls on Titania turning her into a foolish spectacle. Ultimately, order is restored, and the lovers find happily thereafter with the fairies blessings. This great comedy reinvented by Chiara Ajkun blends relatable humor and powerful dancing to entertain and delight. See also www.ajkunbt.org/show-midsummer-night-dream

Choreography & Libretto: Chiara Ajkun | www.ajkunbt.org/chiara-ajkun

Music: Felix Mendelssohn

Performing: Ajkun Ballet Company | www.ajkunbt.org/the-company

No intermission. Attendees must have a ticket. No sales at the door.

Children are always welcome at the Ajkun Ballet Theatre. PG advised.

For Inquiries about the show, please email [email protected] or call + 1 (347) 346-9951.

The story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Chiara Ajkun and her Original Art

William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream may have been written and performed at an aristocratic wedding, possibly attended by Queen Elizabeth I. Drawing inspiration from Ovid's Metamorphoses and Chaucer's Knight's Tale and incorporating elements of English folklore (fairies, the mischievous Puck), Shakespeare moves from simpler plots of earlier works into a rich and complex play that reflects his artistic genius and power of imagination. Likely written between 1594 and 1596, the play was first published in 1600. Previous ballet versions of this play include a divertissement by Marius Petipa (Peterhof Palace, Saint Petersburg, 1876), Sir Frederick Ashton one-act staging of “The Dream” (Royal Ballet, 1964), George Balanchine full-length (New York City Ballet, 1962) and John Neumeier’s production (Hamburg Ballet, 1977). Although Mendelssohn did not write music for the whole play, his score has been largely adopted and incorporated with additional music by the same composer, to include in Chiara Ajkun’s choreographic version.

Chiara Ajkun’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

was originally commissioned in 2015 to Chiara Ajkun by The Egg Performing Arts Center (State of New York and Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation) and set to premiere in their Hart Theater in Albany, NY, and in the main Theater of the Hostos Center for Arts and Culture (City University of New York) in NYC, NY. Renowned for her iconic dramatic work as performer and a choreographer, Chiara has a well-known sense of humor and lightning-fast wit that has allowed her to effortlessly transition between comedic and dramatic creations. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is now part of The Originals, Chiara’s collection of new ballets performed by National Theaters in 27 countries and the signature repertory of the Ajkun Ballet Company.

The Originals is the collection of extraordinary art by Chiara Ajkun, one of today’s most influential choreographers in the world, whose creations form a pillar of visionary dance across 27 countries.

Chiara’s spectacular choreography is dynamic, elegant and expressive and her one-act shows are both insightful and entertaining. This signature repertory has earned Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s worldwide reputation and continues attracting the best dancers in the roster of the Ajkun Ballet Company. See also www.ajkunbt.org/original-art

Chiara Ajkun is an Italian American choreographer, formerly a principal ballet dancer, and the artistic director of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre. Chiara has worked for preeminent companies in Australia, Europe, North and South America and for movies produced by ABC, BBC, FOX, RAI national televisions and NETFLIX, restaging classical ballets and creating original choreography. In her choreographic career, Chiara originated over 50 new ballets and received commendations by the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Awards by the Prime Minister of Malta, The London Times, Fiuggi Europa Platea, Manfredonia Awards, and by the Performing And Visual Arts Education, PAVE. Chiara was appointed “Dame Grand Cross” by Grand Master H.R.H. Prince Humbert Ferdinando the Third: “This honor is awarded to Dr. Chiara Ajkun for her invaluable contribution to the Arts. Let Dr. Ajkun’s work be of inspiration for the global community”. Chiara Ajkun has performed with Artists of 74 countries, taught Dancers from 135 countries and Chiara’s Original Art has been commissioned and performed in theaters, televisions and movies of 27 countries.

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