A Midsummer Night’s Dream Presented in collaboration with the Carnegie-Stout Library, this production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a Modern Verse translation by Jeff Whitty, serves as a vibrant intersection of classical literature and environmental advocacy. The project is designed to generate meaningful community dialogue regarding the environmental impact of human activity, using the stage as a mirror for our current ecological climate.

By utilizing a local park as an immersive, open-air stage, this performance celebrates the beauty of the natural world while featuring one of Shakespeare’s most ecologically resonant works. The production highlights the friction between humanity and the environment, illustrating how political instability and social turmoil can trigger literal and metaphorical chaos within the ecosystem. In Midsummer, the quarrel between the fairy monarchs isn’t just a domestic dispute; it is a disruption of the natural order that resonates with contemporary concerns about climate and conservation.

Whitty’s translation further enhances this experience by bridging the gap between the 16th century and the present day. By rendering Shakespeare’s language into accessible, contemporary verse, the production ensures that the play’s core themes—ecological stewardship, social harmony, and the fragility of our environment—remain tangible and impactful. This approach effectively lowers the barrier to entry, inviting all community members to engage with the narrative, regardless of their prior familiarity with classical verse.

Ultimately, this collaboration seeks to transform a beloved comedy into a powerful tool for reflection, reminding us that the health of our community is inextricably linked to the health of the land we inhabit.

The Driftless Guild is a Dubuque-area theatre company that seeks to entertain, educate, and engage the local community through theatrical events using the classics. The group aims to fill in gaps in the local theatre community and bring new ideas to light. The Driftless Guild hopes to create a space for all to explore and experience different aspects of community theatre and art in a safe and welcoming environment. The Guild was formed in late 2025 and has held several performances in collaboration with local venues and art groups such as A Night of Shakespeare: Bites from the Bard and Whose [Noun] is it Anyway? Improv the Classics. The Driftless Guild is a fiscally sponsored affiliate of Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, a registered 501(c)(3).

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