Juliet and Romeo
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Jenny Latimer
February 28 - March 4 2019
Note from the Director:
Around eight years ago I was bantering with a colleague about all things Shakespeare when we realized that the names Juliet and Romeo were interchangeable in the Iambic Pentameter. At this time I was just starting to explore and ponder the rigidity of the gender norms I—and really most of us—had grown up with. I thought it would be interesting to explore what happens to this classic tragic romance were I to take the show and flip the genders. Many people were hesitant when I shared this idea saying things like, “Well, a female wouldn’t do this…” or “You really need a male to be saying these lines.” And that was only the beginning.
But these comments made me want to do this retelling even more. Why can’t it be the boy that is being overly-protected and forced into an arranged by his parents? Why couldn’t a girl be so overcome with rage and grief that she lets in out in bloodshed?
With the national teen suicide rate on the rise, Juliet and Romeo is more timely than ever. Some number have it up as much as 70% in the last decade, and showing no signs of stopping. Many things have changed in a decade, causing in myself and others a strong need to belong and be seen. But what happens when you finally find the person or people that can see you? And what happens when those people are taken away? If you aren’t able to turn to your family where do you go?
Katia Carmichael (Juliet) is a sophomore at Chapel Hill studying Dramatic Arts. She is thrilled to be performing in her first KTC show!! Previously, she has also performed as “Leia” in Shadow of Darkness, “Brooke” in the Student Television show “Transitioning with the Transfers,” “Allie” in the Florida State University film “Sophmore,” and “Emma” in Carolina Film Association’s “Lovefool.” She thanks her friends, for indulging her passionate rants and running lines late into the night, the entire cast, crew, and production team for such an incredible opportunity, and her parents for helping to pay for her tuition and making the trip to see the show!!
Connor Nielsen (Romeo) is a senior studying Dramatic Art and Economic Development, and he is thrilled to be acting in his seventh show at UNC. Past shows include Arpad in She Loves Me and Laurent in Tartuffe at PlayMakers Rep, and The Cherry Orchard with KTC. He is one of KTC’s Producing Directors, having worked on The Language Archive and Antigonick. Big thanks to Elizabeth, Jenny, Dave, the Chason family, and the whole cast and crew.
Thaddeus Holt (Benvolio) does theater and film. This is his first show with KTC. You may have seen him on stage with Little Green Pig, PlayMakers, or simply because he got lost up there and is having a hard time finding his way out. He would like to thank his parents and also Paul King for directing the Paddington movies.
Peyton Furtado (Friar Lawrence) is a junior at Carolina studying Dramatic Art and Reporting. This is her first show with Kenan Theatre Company, but Peyton is no stranger to student theatre. Recent roles include Angela in Leaving Eden (PlayMakers Repertory Co.), Kate in The Wild Party (Company Carolina), and Carla in In the Heights (Pauper Players). She would like to thank her parents, her friends, and the incredible cast and crew!
Emily Morgan (Tybalt) is a junior dramatic arts and history major. Previous credits with KTC include Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest and Alexandra Alexandrovna in The Kritik. This semester Emily will also be producing KTC’s Mr. Burns, performing in LAB!’s Bethany, and serving as undergraduate assistant director under Lee Sunday Evans in PRC’s How I Learned to Drive. Emily would like to thank the director, cast, and crew for an amazing experience.
John Rice (Mercutio) is an exchange student from Ireland. He has most recently played Shylock in The Merchant of Venice with the Shakespeare Company in Kilkenny and Leo Bloom in The Producers with the Galway Musical Society in Galway.
Kendall Walker (Lady Capulet), when she’s not doting on her son (dog) Joey, is a Junior Dramatic Arts and Communications Major, and this is her second show with KTC. She is thrilled to have been given an opportunity to assist in choreography for the show. Kendall would love to thank Jenny, Tristian, Marisa, and all others who made this beautiful production such a joy to work on. Special thanks and much love to her family, who always supports her theatrical endeavors.
Michael Sparks (Capulet) is a man trying to capture life through a lens.
Bradley Barefoot (Nurse) is a Junior Vocal Performance/MEJO major; thrilled to be making his KTC debut in this production. Student theatre: Pippin (Leading Player), The Wild Party (Dir/Choreo), The Producers (Choreo), and Cabaret (Victor/2 Ladies). Other credits include Sweeney Todd (Tobias), TIP’s It Shoulda Been You! (Choreo), and My Fair Lady with PlayMakers Rep. Asst. Director of Operations for Company Carolina (go see Bright Star/Julius Caesar!) and Officer of Ceremonies for Alpha Psi Omega. Much love to this great team, especially Jenny for cheering me on! PETER!
Andrew Morgan (Sampson/Balthasar) is a Sophomore studying American History and Dramatic Art UNC. This is his second play at Chapel Hill, but his first with KTC. He likes Star Wars, video games, and films, and would like to thank his parents, his friends, his girlfriend and Spicy Memes for getting him this far!
Aubree Dixon (Gregory/Friar John) is a sophomore at UNC studying Computer Science and Dramatic Arts. She is so excited to be working with KTC again! Recent roles include the Lady in Orange in For Colored Girls (UNC BSM), #11 in The Wolves (KTC), and Emma Parker in Bonnie & Clyde (Pauper Players). She would like to thank her family, friends, and the cast and crew for being amazing (and for dealing with her shenanigans).
Sarah Edwards (Abram/Ensemble) is a freshman here at UNC. It’s her first time doing theater with UNC and she is very happy to be a part of this show. She would like to thank her parents, her suitemates, and each of the cast members.
Sydney Pope (Paris) is a freshman at Carolina studying Dramatic Art. She is so happy to be in her first show with the Kenan Theatre Company. Recent roles include Miranda in The Tempest, Hamlet in Hamlet, and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Temple Theatre Company). She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.
Rob Piscitelli (Paris’ Father) is Junior studying Dramatic Art and Advertising. He is an Executive Director of LAB! Theatre and a Marketing intern at PlayMakers Repertory Company. Rob’s recent projects include directing The Pillowman (LAB!) and assistant directing Hedda Gabler (KTC) and Tartuffe (PlayMakers). Rob is very excited to be working on Shakespeare again and would like to thank all the people that made this production happen.
Hannah Hendren (Juliet Standby) is making her KTC debut and is proud to be making her appearance as Juliet!
Emma Scaggs (Peter) is a Junior double majoring in Biology and the Dramatic Arts. Besides acting, she also works as KTC’s scenic charge and works at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham doing birthday parties. Ask her about leaf-cutter ants!
Michele Metzger (Prince) is a sophomore studying Dramatic Arts and Political Science. She produces for KTC and is absolutely thrilled to be apart of this production.
R.C. Eberhard (Montague) is a senior Computer Science and Dramatic Arts double major at UNC. He is so excited to be working with KTC once again, having previously acted and sound designed for them. Recent roles include Michal in The Pillowman (LAB!) and Dr. Chasuble in The Importance of Being Earnest (KTC). He would like thank his friends, family, and younger brother Christian for always being so supportive of his endeavors.
Brooke Smaltz (Lady Montague) is a junior at UNC studying Dramatic Art and Advertising. She is so excited to make her KTC debut! Last fall, she received the semester diploma in classical acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She would like to thank her Mum and Dad, friends, teachers, and the cast and crew for their unwavering support.
Ashritha Nayini (Ensemble) is a freshman at UNC studying Psychology and Business Administration. This is her first theatrical production ever and is really excited to be a part of the show.
Grace Elliott (Ensemble) is a freshman at Carolina studying Environmental Sustainability. This is her first Kenan Theatre Company show and she is so honored to be a part of it! So far at UNC she has been a part of the Pauper Player Performance troupe and hopes to become more involved in theatre on campus in her coming years. She’d like to thank her parents, roommates, and the cast!
Zach Eanes (Producer) is a sophmore at UNC studying Dramatic Art and English. This is his first show producing with KTC, and he is so excited for everyone to see the show. He enjoys piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. Thanks to everyone who has worked on this production, and he can’t wait for many great shows in the future.
Elizabeth Durham (Producer) is a sophomore studying Dramatic Arts and Business Administration. Her recent acting work with KTC includes Antigonick and The Wolves. She would like to thank the cast and crew for making some dang good art, her family and friends for the support, and Connor for giving great hugs. Come see her in KTC’s Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play!!
Alexandra E. LaGrand (Asst. Director/Dramaturg) is a proud alumna of UNC Chapel Hill. She has completed early modern dramaturgical research for the American Shakespeare Center and PlayMakers Repertory Company, and has even seen her research published by the Folger Shakespeare Library. Starting next fall, she will be pursuing her M.Litt degree in Shakespeare and Performance at Mary Baldwin University. Many thanks to Dave Navalinsky and Jenny Latimer for this wonderful opportunity.
Marissa Lupkas (Stage Manager) is a senior studying Art History and Dramatic Art. This is her second production with KTC and first time as a Stage Manager. She’d like to thank everyone who has supported her throughout this new endeavor.
Kelly Wygant (Assistant Stage Manager) is a junior studying Dramatic Art and Management her at UNC. She is thrilled to be working on her first production with KTC and is so grateful to the cast and crew for making it such a wonderful experience. She would like to thank her stage manager, Marissa, for all her incredible work and her sister, Erin, for her continuous love and support from across the country.
Joe Zhang (Assistant Stage Manager) is a freshman at UNC majoring in Statistics and aspiring to major in Business in the future. Before, he worked as a deck crew for Hedda Gabler (KTC). He is so excited for this show and wants to thank all cast and crew for every effort they have ever made.
Kyle Spens (Scenic Designer) is a 2nd year MFA candidate in the Technical Production program at UNC. He is thankful for the opportunity to work with KTC on his first realized design. A native of WA, Kyle spent 5 years in Seattle as a Technical Director working with companies such as Seattle Repertory Theatre and Spectrum Dance. He is ever thankful for the love and support of his wife Natalie as he works to pursue his dream teaching theatre.
Cecilia Lin (Costume Designer) is a freshman student and this is her first show with the Kenan Theater Company. She has been involved in many theatrical productions as both actor and costume design. Recent work includes The Mousetrap, Frankenstein, and The Bold The Young and The Murdered. She is very exited to be involved in such a huge show, and is honored to work with the staff and cast members!
Kezia M. Holder-Cozart (Lighting Designer) is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Dramatic Art and Education. She is extremely excited to be lighting designer for her first show her at UNC-CH! She would like to thank Paul Eghill and David Navinlinsky for believing in her and helping her light this amazing show!
Anish Pinnamaraju (Sound Designer) is a sophomore Biology/ Dramatic Arts double major. This is his first time sound designing. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Huth Photos