City Park is not where locals usually go to lounge about during the aching heat of summer. This is why The NOLA Project has waited for the month of October to once again stage their unique production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Sydney and Walda Bestoff Sculpture Garden in partnership with the New Orleans Museum of Art. The NOLA Project is a theatre company made up of actors inspired by the energy and soul of New Orleans.

When the show, directed by Andrew Larimer, was first performed in the spring, the play took advantage of the possibilities the sculpture garden presented and set the action in three locations. The garden adds a subtle unpredictability, says Grace Wilson, Director of Communication and Marketing for the New Orleans Museum of Art. “Each show is slightly different due to the unpredictable sounds and quirks of nature,” she says. “Whether it be the flock of ducks waddling toward an audience, or the chirping of birds in distant trees.”

Francesca McKenzie, who plays Puck in the production, relishes the freedom performing in the garden allows. “It’s a very simple and beautiful set, and we have the joy to jump around,” she says. As a participant in the show, she admits that it’s not just a play but an entire evening out that everyone must experience.

“We are delighted to add an outdoor theater series to our Friday night Where Y’Art programming at the museum,” said NOMA Director Susan Taylor. “The partnership between NOMA and The NOLA Project has been very successful and we are all looking forward to future plays.”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_blsETQNaO4[/youtube]

The current run started Thursday, October 6 and continues this weekend and next weekend. Tickets are on sale now.

The show allows blankets but discourages outside food and drink, which will be available at the renovated museum café, recently revamped by Ralph Brennan.