The VAPA theater students presented their fall performance last week, featuring William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. It was the classic tale of the fateful star-crossed lovers with an alternative flair. Uniquely cast and styled, the 2023 production of Romeo and Juliet was a post-modern arrangement of a classic told a hundred times before.
Contessa Gonzales, a senior who played Juliet Capulet, said the play needed a fresh take, a different post-modernist view of the story that wasn’t related to the 1996 Luhrman interpretation. She tried not to look at any other renditions of her character so she could be original in her interpretations of the script. Contessa compared this production to the aesthetic of Tim Burton, but others have described it as having pop-punk styles, costumes, and music.
Contessa also expressed that the emphasis on Juliet’s age was very purposeful in her portrayal of the character. Juliet’s emotions are intense, and her immaturity is apparent throughout the drama, as she and Romeo make rash decisions that end in their demise. It’s important to note that many interpretations of the original play believe it was a cautionary tale, considering all the tragedy that ensues.
Dallas Murphy, who was the head of the lighting production, said that the color was very representative of the different eras and settings of the play, with orange representing the Montagues and pink symbolizing romance. Contessa, too, said that the colors of her costumes were coordinated with the events in Juliet’s life; for example, she would always wear red during a death scene.
Myari Adams, the student director of Romeo and Juliet, said her time with the VAPA team was awe-inspiring. She felt that her role as a student director allowed her to get to know everyone on set and even become closer to the people she already knew. She is thankful for the opportunity to work backstage as well as an actor in other productions. If you are interested in theater but not necessarily acting, consider joining the tech team with Dallas and Myari for their next show this school year.
There was a wonderful turnout at every show, and they would like to thank everyone who loyally came to their showings in the fall. If you enjoyed the show, auditions for the winter production, Little Women, are currently taking place for its later performances.