There’s a reason it took me fifteen years to direct a Shakespeare play at Goochland High School. The truth is, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to teach the language effectively to students, and I lacked confidence in my ability to direct such important work. In my early days of teaching, I avoided Shakespeare altogether because I feared coming across as an imposter when tackling the most influential playwright who ever lived.
So, what transformed that fear into confidence? The answer is simple: I forced myself to read and watch more Shakespeare. In life, our self-confidence can limit what we believe we’re capable of doing. For years, I labeled myself as a theatre teacher who “couldn’t direct Shakespeare.” But the more I immersed myself in his plays, the more I realized that I was my own roadblock. By overcoming my “fear” of Shakespeare, I found the confidence to help my students do the same — to show them that they, too, can understand and connect with the Bard’s work.
During our first week of rehearsal, Goochland Drama alumnus Tevin Davis (Class of 2017) led a workshop with our students. Drawing on his experiences with renowned companies such as The American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Virginia, and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington, Illinois, Tevin helped students form a personal connection with Shakespeare’s text. One quote he shared has stayed with me throughout this entire process:
“Shakespeare gives you everything, but he also gives you nothing.”
His words remind us that Shakespeare’s dialogue is full of clues — intricate details that reveal the depth and complexity of his characters. There’s a reason we still read his plays today: the joys and struggles of his characters remain timeless, allowing each generation to reimagine his stories through new lenses.
For this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, we set the story in 1920s New York City at the height of the Jazz Age. I’ve always been fascinated by the art, culture, and music of this era — from the elegance of Art Deco to the glittering world of Broadway. As I explored the connections between the play and the period, the concept began to take shape. The roaring twenties were wild, free, and full of energy — a perfect match for the mischief and magic of Midsummer. Why not envision Puck as a Garbo Marx–style trickster? Or Theseus as a Rockefeller-type tycoon leading the “Athens Corporation”? And Titania and her fairies as Ziegfeld-style performers lighting up the stage? Once those ideas emerged, the world of our production came alive.
From the first rehearsals to our final performance, I’ve been inspired by the dedication of our student actors and technicians. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and courage to take artistic risks have made this journey an incredibly rewarding collaboration.
This production would not be possible without our amazing creative team. Your creativity, professionalism, and commitment to our students continually inspire me. I also want to thank GCPS and my supportive administrative team at GHS for championing the arts in our schools. The arts thrive in Goochland because of the unwavering support of our leadership and community.
Finally, I want to thank our parents. From providing tech week meals and helping with set builds to volunteering on show weekends and transporting students to and from rehearsals, you are the backbone of this program. Your encouragement allows your children — and our department — to shine.
Thank you for joining us for this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream!
Neil Burch
Theatre Teacher
Goochland High School
