Julian and Margaret catch up on their Shakespeare holiday gift lists, and Julian sits down with Twelfth Night director Ian Damont Martin. Happy holidays from Sommercast!
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Welcome, new ensemble members!
We are thrilled to announce the addition of five new theatre artists to Midsommer Flight’s artistic ensemble! All of these folks have participated in multiple Midsommer Flight projects and have continually shared their intense talents, passion, and commitment to the company’s mission.
Chad Bay appeared as Proteus in 2018’s Two Gentlemen of Verona, and he also assistant directed the 2016 and 2017 productions of Twelfth Night. Richard Eisloeffel appeared as Speed in Two Gentlemen of Verona and as Silvius in 2016’s As You Like It. LaKecia Harris appeared as Julia in Two Gentlemen of Verona, multiple roles in the 2018 staged reading of Richard III, and as Viola in 2017’s Twelfth Night. Amy Malcom appeared as Silvia in Two Gentlemen of Verona and as Malvolio in 2017’s Twelfth Night. Last but not least, Stephanie Mattos appeared as Launce in Two Gentlemen of Verona and as a Witch in 2015’s Macbeth.
Visit Meet the Company to read their full bios.
Episode 13: Sommer’s Day

Julian chats with Elizabeth Rentfro and Erick Rivera, composers of FOURTEEN LINES, Midsommer Flight’s new album of Shakespeare sonnets set to original music. The album will debut at a release party tonight, Monday, September 17. Erick and Elizabeth describe what it’s like to compose for sonnets, how the album came to be, and preview the first track on the album, Summer’s Day (Sonnet 18).
Sommercast Episode 12: Fair Verona

Happy 4th of July and happy opening week to our summer Shakespeare in the parks! Julian visits a rehearsal for Two Gentlemen of Verona and interviews several members of the cast. Get a behind-the-scenes look at outdoor Shakespeare in Chicago’s parks.
Sommercast Episode 11: LaKecia and Juliet
Happy summer! Julian and Margaret sit down with actress LaKecia Harris, who appeared as Viola in Midsommer Flight’s 2017 Twelfth Night and will also appear in this summer’s Two Gentlemen of Verona, as well as the Shakespeare All-Stars Romeo and Juliet coming up in June.
Sommercast Episode 10: My Kingdom for a Kristina
Julian and Margaret catch up over donuts, and then Julian sits down with Kristina McCloskey, director of the upcoming staged reading of Richard III, a co-production between Midsommer Flight and Unbound Theatre Company.
Sommercast Episode 9: Not Afraid of Greatness
Julian and Margaret sit down with Midsommer Flight’s Associate Producer and bona fide superhero, Kanomé Jones. Hear how she got her start in theatre, what it takes to be a producer, and how she juggles so many different hats.
Sommercast Episode 8: An Apple Cleft in Twain
Julian and Margaret interview “power couple” Dylan S. Roberts and Amy Malcom. Dylan is a director and a Midsommer Flight ensemble member who recently directed TWELFTH NIGHT. Amy is a gifted actress who just played Malvolio in the same show. Listen to them chat about how they met, how they each got their start in theatre, and what it’s like to work with your spouse.
Sommercast Episode 7: Twelfth Night Preview
Julian and Margaret catch up after their Thanksgiving celebrations, and then sit down with the cast and crew of Twelfth Night to get the inside scoop about the show, now playing at the Lincoln Park Conservatory through December 17.
Sommercast Episode 6: Fear No More
It’s our Halloween episode! Julian and Margaret discuss witchcraft in Shakespeare’s time, and the Midsommer Flight ensemble and guest artists perform some of Shakespeare’s best spooky music and monologues. Later in the episode, they interview Sam Cheeseman, who played Hamlet in the company’s recent production.