Midsummer/Jersey is the hilarious high-octane re-telling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream set on the boardwalk of a seaside town in modern-day New Jersey. 

The story revolves around the impending marriage of the Governor of New Jersey, the love affairs of four beach-bound high school crushes, a lively crew of screwball fairies and the staff of the local beauty salon. With several weddings and the acting careers of six beauticians hanging in the balance, the lovers take to the boardwalk, backed by pop music and an iPhone-obsessed wood sprite. 

Written by noted playwright Ken Ludwig for high schools and colleges, Midsummer/Jersey received its world premiere in November 2011 at James Robinson High School in Fairfax, VA.

What is SouthWest StageWorks [(SW)2]?

SouthWest StageWorks, or (SW)2, is Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School's (IBWHS') youth theatre company.  Our company produces a wide variety of high quality theatre, partnering with the highest caliber teaching and collaborating artists, providing the very best and relevant learning experiences possible for IBWHS students. 

Our mission with (SW)2 is two-fold: 

1) To help the young people of the IBWHS community take their place in the world as the very best citizens and contributors they can be.  A successful (SW)2 company member will learn time management, critical thinking, creative problem solving, collaboration, service, self-sacrifice, perseverance, how to see the world through another's eyes, and how to never stop working toward a higher ideal.  

and 2) To help the young people of the IBWHS community take their place in the theatre community as the very best artists they can be.  A successful (SW)2 company member will have worked with professional teaching artists on stage and behind the scenes, will have had the opportunity to pursue professional internships, will have worked with the widest variety of material from across the theatre canon, will have shared their work with peers from around the region, will have had the opportunity to take true positions of leadership with their peers, and and will have had their work evaluated at the highest levels.

Are you an IBWHS Student, or soon-to-be?  Join us...there's always room!

Are you an IBWHS Alum?  Tell us your story!

Are you a Theatre Lover or Practitioner?  Share your experiences with us!

We are SouthWest StageWorks, The IBWHS Theatre Company...Enjoy the Show!