By Sierra Plese 03.28.2014

Junior Chris Heldman is a man of many trades. He’s a member of Milligan’s tennis team. He’s business major with an economics minor. What you may not have known is that he’s also an actor.

 

In Milligan’s rendition of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Heldman plays the character Lysander. Lysander is the lover of Hermia (Darcie DeLong) who is betrothed to the wealthy Demetrius (Adam Derrick), her father’s choice. Lysander and Hermia sneak away to elope in the night, but things go awry when the lovers fall asleep and wake up under an enchanted spell.

 

“The cast is absolutely wonderful,” said Heldman. “I have worked very closely with Adam Derrick, Danielle Moore, and Darcie Delong. These wonderful people make my life so much easier because they are just so talented. Everyone in this play has such a knack for the stage and they play their characters fantastically.”

 

This is Heldman’s second major production at Milligan. He played King Aeolus and one of the sailors in The Odyssey last spring and has also participated in Milligan’s Festival of One Act Plays.

 

On top of rehearsing for the show, Heldman keeps up with tennis practice and matches as well as homework assignments regularly.

 

“It can be stressful with scheduling around sports and other activities,” he said, “but working with such talented people to be able to tell a compelling and hilarious story is worth every minute."

 

You can see Chris Heldman on stage as Lysander this weekend in the Gregory Centre.