Mahoning Valley Players will present Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Tempest” in 2022, and both shows will run for two weekends at Mill Creek MetroParks.

Eric Kibler, who directed last year’s production of the “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” will direct “The Tempest,” and Rian Davis will make his MVP directing debut with “Midsummer.”

“I wanted to revisit ‘Midsummer,'” MVP Executive Director Kim Akins said. “‘Midsummer is a classic and lends itself to all kinds of settings. I wanted to revisit it with a new director and a new cast and see how it plays out.

“‘Tempest’ I wanted to do last season, but we weren’t quite ready. I’m looking forward to seeing what Eric does with it. I’ve asked for non-gender-specific casting, and I’m personally hoping for a different take on Prospero (the sorcerer who is the main character) … I’m sure Eric will add more comedy, and there’s an opportunity for really strong actors to bring something new to it.”

Non-gender-specific casting will be encouraged for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as well, Akins said.

Last summer weather issues forced the postponement or cancellation of some performances, which are staged at Wick Recreation Area’s Judge Morley Pavilion. This year, Akins decided to stage each show for two weekends to build some flexibility into the schedule.

“When we were setting the calendar, they asked about rain dates,” Akins said. “I suggested instead of holding the second weekend in case of rain, why not just give it to us?”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will open in June and “The Tempest” will debut the last weekend in July.

Auditions will be held in late March with dates to be announced. However, video auditions can be submitted now by emailing Akins at khia213@yahoo.com or through Facebook messenger to Mahoning Valley Players’ page.

MVP’s shows are free to attend, and the theater company launched a GoFundMe campaign, hoping to raise $5,000 to offset expenses for the upcoming season.

“My number is aspirational,” Akins said. “I might be able to do these two shows with less money, but I don’t want to. Once again, we’re hiring (Rust Belt Theater Company founder) Rob Joki to do our costumes. This year, we’d like to be able to bring in set pieces we haven’t been able to have, and we have to transport them (to the park). And we’re also running two weekends for each show, so each week have to come back in and rebuild the set. I’m hoping to hire people to do that. I’m not getting any younger.”