BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – The woods are waking up, the fairies are restless, and a little bit of magic is coming to
Buckhannon.

The Rustic Mechanicals, West Virginia’s only professional Shakespeare troupe, are thrilled to announce a special free performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at West Virginia Wesleyan College on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Widely considered Shakespeare’s most accessible and enchanting comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
invites the audience into a mystical forest where four runaway lovers, a troupe of amateur actors, and a feuding
King and Queen of the Fairies cross paths. The result? A night of transformation, hilarity, and the reminder that ‘the course of true love never did run smooth.’

“We are bringing the magic of Shakespeare directly to the community,” says Jim Warren, the production’s
director. “This show is pure joy—a perfect escape into a world of whimsy, right here on the Wesleyan campus.”

This production is open to the public, and admission is completely free. Showtime is at 7 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts.

ABOUT THE RUSTIC MECHANICALS
Founded by The Vintage Theatre Company, The Rustic
Mechanicals are dedicated to ensuring that the works of William Shakespeare are alive, accessible, and
understood by audiences throughout West Virginia.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for 135 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2026 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2026  Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan second in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and counseling; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.