SPLaT Fest unveils mystery hooves for outdoor Shakespeare run

Director Julie Generes released a single promotional image for the upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, showing a pair of hairy feet with hooves and leaves growing from the ankles. The company withheld the identity of the character who owns the feet, inviting audiences to solve the mystery themselves. Generes stated, “You want to know whose feet those are? Buy a ticket. I’ll tell you this much: nobody in this forest is entirely what they seem.”

The production interprets the forest outside Athens as a space populated by ambiguous figures. SPLaT Fest describes the fairies in this staging as ancient and amoral creatures from older folklore, distinct from typical representations. The cast also includes Puck, characterized as a shape-shifting trickster with a Scottish accent, and the Mechanicals, a group of earnest amateur actors. Four young Athenian lovers also wander through the plot, getting thoroughly lost.

The show will run for four outdoor performances at the Historic Abita Trailhead Museum Amphitheater in Abita Springs. The schedule includes Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8, followed by Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15. All shows start at 5 p.m. Ticket prices are set at $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors aged 60 and older.

This marks the fourth year of partnership between SPLaT Fest and the town of Abita Springs. The company, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in Louisiana in 2023, is known for its “in your face” theatrical style. Emily Murray created the original poster art for this season’s production. The group aims to stage Shakespeare as a provocative adventure that welcomes both first-time performers and seasoned actors.

Patrons must bring their own seating for the outdoor events. Organizers note that the enchanted forest setting does not provide furniture. Weather conditions may vary, so attendees are advised to pack a warm jacket or blanket. Tickets are available online at bontempstix.com/organizations/splat-fest. The venue address is 22044 Main St., Abita Springs, LA 70420.