Senior School Play Spotlight: Lauren Samson ’26 and Royal Akinboro ‘26 — Issue 20

This year’s Senior School play is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and our cast has embraced the energy and complexity of William Shakespeare’s classic comedy with incredible skill. One of the challenges in this production is conveying the story clearly despite the characters’ misunderstandings and overlapping storylines, but our students have worked to balance coherence and humour in each scene. Using Shakespeare’s language and physical storytelling has allowed the world of the play to feel lively, intentional, and engaging.

This week, the cast received their physical scripts for the first time, a moment that was celebrated among the members. Having access to printed scripts allows students to engage more deeply with their characters, take written notes on motivations, and further explore the connections between scenes. This milestone has energized rehearsals and given the cast a clearer sense of the world they are bringing to life on stage.

Now, we’d like to introduce you to some of the students who are bringing A Midsummer Night’s Dream to life on stage.

We’re thrilled to introduce Lauren Samson ’26, a day student originally from Scotland who has been part of the King’s-Edgehill School community for the past three years. Lauren joined the Senior School play to express herself in a meaningful way and because she enjoys theatre-based activities. For her, the performing arts are not just about being in the spotlight, but about building relationships and meeting new people who share similar interests. She values how theatre creates a collaborative space for self-expression and encourages others to explore the arts as an effective stress reliever and emotional outlet.

We’re also excited to introduce Royal Akinboro ’26, a Grade 12 boarding student from Nigeria who has been part of the King’s-Edgehill School community for the past four years. Royal joined the Senior School play to pursue her love of acting, first discovered in Grade 10. Returning to the stage one final time, she hopes to make her last performance at KES a memorable one. Through theatre, Royal has gained confidence and overcome her fear of public speaking, enjoying the opportunity to experiment with characters different from herself.

As rehearsals continue, the cast’s dedication and creativity are increasingly apparent. Join us for this magical and mischievous production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, running April 9–11.