The Play’s the Thing
    
“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,/Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, . . .”
    
I’ve see Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at least five times. It’s my favorite play, and my favorite character is Titania, the fairy queen. I’ve always dreamed of playing Titania--with flowers in my hair and a court of dancing fairies!
    
Or maybe sweet Juliet, calling to Romeo from her balcony!
    
But no Juliet this year, because this year, my children’s Shakespeare company is putting on Midsummer! Today I’ll get my part. I hope I’m Titania! I can wear a beautiful gown and crown! If not, Hermia or Helena aren’t bad parts either.
    
I run down the front steps. Oh! Spring is here! The wind chime sings. Daffodils are blooming. The world is bright!
    
“There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,/Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight.”
    
When I get there, everybody is crowded around the cast list. I push my way through and look. I’m . . . Philostrate? Master of Revels? Wait, that’s not right! Oh, no. I have to play a man!
    
I grumble as the others squish past me. There go my dreams of beauty and flowers, gowns and crowns! Beside me, another girl beams. She’s Titania! This is a midsummer nightmare!
    
As we get closer to the play, my mood doesn’t improve. I mutter my lines, while the others speak loudly, clearly, and with enthusiasm.
    
The day of the play, my director pulls me aside. “Do you know that in Shakespeare’s time, all the girl parts were played by boys?”
    
What? Juliet, a boy? Queen Titania, a man?
    
“There’s a reason Shakespearean actors are called players--we’re playing at theater, being silly and courageous, stepping outside of who we are. Are you brave enough to play Shakespeare today?”
    
On the stage, I stand under the hot lights, in front of all the expectant audience. I wear my hair pulled back and a beautiful velvet vest. I am a Shakespearean player, brave enough to play at anything.