The Eureka Springs Theater Company (ESTC) will be presenting an abridged version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” by William Shakespeare, on the Arvest stage in Harmon Park on July 18, 19, 25 and 26. This will be the first ESTC Shakespeare production, and will be directed by a local native, Chaon Cross.

Cross was born and raised in Eureka Springs, and is a seasoned actress with a rich career in both stage and screen. After graduating from Eureka Springs High School, Cross earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in theater at Stephens College, then toured the U.S. and Canada for two years with Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, now called the American Shakespeare Center.

TV viewers may know Cross from her role on Chicago Fire as Heather Darden, but for the last two decades Cross has also been a leading lady of the Chicago theatre scene. She has performed with major equity theaters in Chicago, and has been nominated for the Joseph Jefferson award on three occasions, winning the award in 2019 for her portrayal of Rosalind Franklin in “Photograph 51” at the Court Theatre.

Shakespeare has remained a love of Cross’ throughout her career, and she has performed in six Shakespeare plays at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, most recently starring in the role of Lady Macbeth in the 2018 production directed by Aaron Posner and Teller.

Cross moved back home to Eureka Springs in 2023, and is now a director of the Eureka Springs Theater Company (ESTC), with whom she directed two radio plays and The Haunted Trail Walk in 2024.

Cross is passionate about bringing theater to the community, and while her version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Harmon Park is the first ESTC Shakespeare production on the Arvest stage, if local audiences come out to support the performances, it could become the first of many!

Tickets to the Eureka Springs Theater Company’s production of, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be available at the door, and also at bookeureka.com.