The Biggest Ballets ... The Best Productions

A Midsummer Night's Dream 2015

May 29 & 30, 2015 at Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville, NC

Ballet Conservatory is delighted to present A Midsummer Night's Dream on Friday, May 29 at 7:00 and Saturday, May 30 at 3:00 and 7:00 at the Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville. Based on Shakespeare's sparkling comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream -- and with gorgeous music by Felix Mendelssohn -- the ballet tells the tale of Oberon, Titania, Puck, and four hapless young people in love lost in a forest inhabited by mysterious Fairies. Featuring Julia Fleming as Titania, Charlotte Ballet's Gregory Taylor as Oberon, Avery Sund and Caroline Roberts as Puck, and talented dancers from our Pre-Professional Division, this production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is perfect for the entire family. Tickets range from $12 to $28. They go fast so call Diana Wortham Theatre at (828) 257-4530 or visit dwtheatre.com to reserve your tickets today. Tickets are also available at the Front Desk for a limited time: Simply download and fill out the Midsummer 2015 Ticket & DVD Order Form and bring it by the Front Desk with your payment.

Note: Due to injury, Gregory Taylor replaced Addul Manzano in the role of Oberon.

Charlotte Ballet's Gregory Taylor Stars in "Midsummer"

Gregory began his dance training at age 7 at the Sawnee School of Ballet, under Joan Kall Stewart. In 2009, he was accepted to the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, where he danced for two years under Stanislav Issaev. He has performed many roles and ballets including Siegfried from Swan Lake, Bluebird from Sleeping Beauty, Raymonda, Paquita, La Esmeralda, La Fille Mal Gardee, and Balanchine’s Serenade. In 2011, Gregory won 1st place in both Classical and Contemporary at Youth American Grand Prix Regionals. Gregory spent the 2011/2012 Season with Charlotte Ballet II.

Hometown: Cumming, GA

Dancing Since: Age 7

Seasons with Charlotte Ballet: 3

Never miss an episode of: Arrested Development

Favorite music: U2

Advice to aspiring dancers: “Listen to your teachers.”

If I weren't dancing I’d be: A cook

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Fairies, Spells, and Magic!

About A Midsummer Night's Dream

Music by Felix Mendelssohn

Original Choreography of "The Dream" by Frederick Ashton

Restaged by Wayne Burritt & Angie Lynn and Amanda Edge & Billy Ward

First presented April 2, 1964 by the Royal Ballet as the Royal Opera House, London, with Antoinette Sibley as Titania, Anthony Dowell as Oberon, and Keith Martin as Puck.

The Plot

Oberon and Titania, the King and Queen of Fairyland, are arguing over who should possess the Changling Boy. To spite Titania, Oberon sends his sprite Puck to gather a Magic Flower, the juice of which when placed on a person's eyelids during sleep will cause them to fall in love with the first living thing upon wakening. In the meantime, four young people -- Hermia and Lysander and Helena and Demetrius -- enter the forest. Hermia and Lysander are in love while Helena's love is unrequited toward Demetrius. Oberon is amused by these mortals and sends Puck to use the Magic Flower on Demetrius. Meanwhile, Oberon uses the Magic Flower on Titania who, upon awakening, falls in love with Bottom, a crude workman, to whom Puck, in order to heighten his master's revenge, has affixed a donkey's head. Unfortunately, Oberon soon discovers that Puck has mistakenly used the Magic Flower to charm Lysander to fall in love the wrong girl, Helena. Oberon is furious over the mess Puck has made and commands a fog to settle over the forest, under which he will make everything right with the four mortals. Titania is released from her Spell and is reconciled with Oberon as Bottom recalls -- through dream-like memories -- his puzzling time with Titania. In the end, everyone is paired as they should be and the Fairy Kingdom is restored to peace and order.