Motor City Youth Theatre
Nancy Florkowski, Founder and Director
(313) 535-8962 or e-mail nancy@mcyt.org

Livonia Observer  
Thursday, August 19, 2004
by Stephanie A. Casola

Troupe delivers Bard's 'Dream' to park fans

Motor City Youth Theatre revived the concept of Shakespeare in the park last weekend with a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in Livonia.

The show, held at the Wilson Barn, drew more than 100 drama fans from the area for an early evening presentation.

Motor City Youth Theatre, a Redford-based non-profit group established in 1990, provides educational theater opportunities to children and adults. The cast of about 30 adults, young adults and children have been working on the show since January, and first performed it at Redford's Capitol Park in June.

Nancy Florkowski heads up the theater group, and is recently retired as a drama teacher at Pierce Middle School in South Redford Schools. She hopes performances of such classics will encourage families to become more familiar with the works of William Shakespeare.

According to Florkowski, the actors worked with the original Shakespearean language, but used their skills to make sure the audience understood every word.

"I wanted it to be family-friendly, so everyone could enjoy it and understand it," she said.

Entire families came to the Wilson Barn performance. And Motor City Youth Theatre sold souvenirs, like magic wands.

"People really loved it," Florkowski said. She added that the group hopes to return next summer with a production of Hamlet, as well as a 15-minute Hamlet-inspired comedy. In the meantime, Friends of the Wilson Barn are discussing a new collaboration with the theater group - to present children's shows.

For more information on Motor City Youth Theatre, call (313) 535-8962.