The Apollinaire Theatre Company is somewhat of a hidden gem in the greater Boston theatre scene. In addition to productions throughout the year, free performances take place at Port Park each summer. The 2018 feature is A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.
The Apollinaire Theatre Company takes advantage of the unique industrial features of Port Park. Here star Brooks Reeves goes through a practice run with Charlie, the performing dog for the evening.
Behind the scenes, Katie Duncan fixes her hairpiece inside a shipping container in the parking lot as she transforms into Mustardseed. Duncan, a theatre student at Emerson College, is one of many actors participating in this year's Shakespeare production.
During the performance, the audience is ushered from the quaint Port Park waterfront view to the looming salt piles just a few hundred feet away. There, they continue to watch the performance against the mountain like salt mounds, which are illuminated in various colors throughout the play.
Actor John Manning as Demetrius and actress Kelly Young as Helena shared an intense moment against the luminous salt pile backdrop. The salt white mounds offer a unique landscape for the Apollinaire Theatre to allow its creativity to shine through on.
Brooks Reeves is performing in his ninth production the Apollinaire Theatre Company as Bottom. Reeves captivates the audience with the comical role, running amidst the salt piles.
The Apollinaire Theatre Company employs professional actors for their performances at Port Park in addition to their productions year round. The award-winning theatre is expanding at the Chelsea Theatre Works, and recently opened a youth program.
The Apollinaire Theatre never fails to surprise, adding their own unique touches to the classic Shakespeare performance. A Midsummer's Night Dream will be performed throughout the month of July free of charge to all attendees.