As freshmen poured into the auditorium, a group of five actors strolled around the stage, bouncing balls,  under a sky full of planets.Their goal was to bring the Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet, alive to freshmen students who are currently learning about William Shakespeare’s literature.

 The actors introduced themselves as the theater group Shakesperience. Five members performed the show playing multiple roles such as Tybalt, Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, Benvolio, Montague, Capulet, and Nurse. They used props to display change in character, such as costumes, the bouncing balls, and even swords with which they engaged in fights.

 Students have been learning figurative speech such as metaphors in their english classes. Metaphors play a major role in Shakespeare’s works and were scattered throughout the presentation. For example, Juliet was placed in the middle of the universe to help demonstrate that she was the sun and the center of Romeo’s universe.

Mrs. Papa, English department chair, was one of the leading forces in organizing the performance.  “Shakespeare is meant to be seen,” said Papa. “The performance prepared our students for reading Romeo and Juliet, and gave life to Shakespeare’s words.”

photo credit: https://www.goconqr.com/en/p/24906-romeo-and-juliet–act-by-act-notes