PHOTOS: Bringing Shakespeare to South Carolina: 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

USC's Department of Theatre and Dance held an outside edition of Shakespearean play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to a crowd across from Russel House in Columbia, S.C. on Oct. 9, 2022. This comedy consists of five interconnecting plots, connected by the marriage of characters Duke Theseus of Athens and Amazonian Queen Hippolyta.

The play, previously performed by USC Theatre and Dance in March 2021, was brought back for a second installation this year in the department's newest outdoor venue located near the Horseshoe on their new Shakespeare Festival Stage. Photos captured by Xavier Martin

Spectators wait in line for hors d'oeuvres prior to the final showing of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. USC Department of Theatre and Dance held the play from October 2 to 9, 2022.

Cast members and spectators wait in front of the stage for the start of the final showing of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. The Shakesperean play was put on by the USC Department of Theatre and Dance.

USC Chairman of the department of theatre and dance Jim Hunter gives an introduction of the production to the crowd. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" debuted on campus from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9, 2022.

Titania, portrayed by fourth-year hospitality and tourism student Zoe Chan, walks across the stage during the beginning of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. USC Department of Theatre and Dance held the play from October 2 to 9, 2022.

Titania, portrayed by fourth-year hospitality and tourism student Zoe Chan enchants Demetrius, portrayed by fourth-year film and media studies student Rayne Norris during the showing of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. USC Department of Theatre and Dance held the play from October 2 to 9, 2022.

Characters Oberon (front left) and Bottom (front right), portrayed by second-year theater student Rowland Marshall and third-year theatre and English student Michael Williamson interact on stage as fairies dance around them during "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. USC Department of Theatre and Dance held the play from October 2 to 9, 2022.

Characters Oberon (right) and Bottom (left), portrayed by second-year theater student Rowland Marshall and third-year theatre and English student Michael Williamson kiss during a scene in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. USC Department of Theatre and Dance held the play from October 2 to 9, 2022.

Character Lysander (on left) portrayed by first-year criminology and criminal justice student Kenna Nelson throws off her over-shirt during a fight scene with Hermia — portrayed by fourth-year sociology student Nicole Perez — during the showing of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. USC Department of Theatre and Dance held the play from October 2 to 9, 2022.

Lysander (on left) and Demetrius (on right), portrayed by first-year criminology and criminal justice student Kenna Nelson and fourth-year film and media studies student Rayne Norris fight on stage during a scene in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. USC Department of Theatre and Dance held the play from October 2 to 9, 2022.

Bottom, portrayed by third-year theatre and English student Michael Williams walks across the stage after his character's head is "transformed" into a donkey in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. USC Department of Theatre and Dance held the play from October 2 to 9, 2022.

The characters of "A Midsummer's Night Dream" perform together on stage during the final acts of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. The character group, the Mechanicals (bottom floor) come together to perform for the Athenians (top floor).

The character Flute, portrayed by second-year theatre student Phillip Parker acts out being fatally wounded by a sword during the final act of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. The character Flute is performing the tragedy of Pyramus and Thisbe to the Duke of Athens in this final scene of the play.

The cast of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" come out on stage at the end of the play on Oct. 9, 2022. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" debuted on campus from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9, 2022.

Golden streamers are blasted into the air, marking the end of the final performance of "A Midsummer's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" debuted on campus from Oct. 2 to Oct. 9, 2022.

The stage for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Oct. 9, 2022. The USC department of theatre and dance built the stage for the showing of the play.