Romeo & Juliet

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To stream this performance: https://youtube.com/@umdshakespeareplayers2909

Few of Shakespeare’s works are as big a part of the cultural lexicon as Romeo and Juliet, which makes it even more crucial that each production gives viewers a new perspective on a play that might otherwise seem stale. That being said, what’s more exciting than vampires and werewolves? Nothing, according to Stephanie Meyer, the inspiration behind this show. As I was digging through boxes of the club’s old props, inspiration struck when I serendipitously pulled out a copy of Twilight. To be honest, I pitched the idea of a vampire and werewolf Romeo and Juliet to Liam and Andy as a joke, but the enthusiasm with which they responded to it and their willingness to take on this project gave me the confidence to turn this idea into a reality. Plus, a little-known piece of MDSP lore is that every production pre-covid would sneak that fated copy of Twilight into the show. So, alongside fulfilling my selfish desire to costume a show full of mythical creatures, this production pays homage to the origins of our club as we round out its 15th year.

As we began world building, the stars aligned as we developed unwritten backstories for each character. In the first scene of the show, Sampson exclaims that “a dog of the house Montague” moves him, so naturally, the Montagues were established as the werewolves. The rest fell into place; Nurse, a human kept alive for blood and good company by the Capulets, Friar Lawrence, a
warlock whom Romeo seeks for assistance in holding onto his humanity. Lady Capulet is unhappy in her marriage with someone she is, literally, eternally bound to. Considering how well everything matched up, who’s to say that Shakespeare didn’t originally intend for these two houses to be divided by the ancient rivalry between vampires and werewolves?

Origin stories aside, I hope this production brings you joy in a time when the simple act of gender-blind casting could be perceived as a political act. When we cast our star-crossed lovers, it was immediately clear they had real chemistry. But I was worried that our choice to cast two men for Romeo and Juliet would lead audience members to a misconception that the central conflict of our production is homophobia. I want to emphasize that our decision to cast Juliet as a man, while maintaining the pronouns of the original text was a conscious choice of the directing team. The gender expectations that Juliet faces in the play are real and oppressive, even to this day, as Juliet’s family tries to strip her of her own autonomy. Our casting choice is not to take the spotlight off the problems that women face. Instead, it is to highlight that gender norms negatively impact everyone, and that we hamper the boundlessness of love when we enforce rigid expectations of what it should look like. In the end, I decided that, with a rivalry as strong as that between vampires and werewolves, or Montagues and Capulets, it didn’t matter. Besides, mythical creatures don’t subscribe to antiquated human bullshit like heteronormativity.

Although their love is doomed from the start (sorry for the spoiler!), it is always easy for me to root for Romeo and Juliet. There’s a reason that it is such a timeless story, and one that we can all stand to be reminded of; love is stronger than the things that divide us. It might be a bit silly for the Capulets to be vampires and the Montagues to be werewolves, but I hope the central themes of the show nonetheless inspire audience members to rethink any hatred towards others, and to leave a little kinder towards those they do not understand. Please enjoy this show, we are so proud of it.

- Zoe Gallagher, Artistic Director

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Nathan Cavaliere (he/him)

Friar John/First Watchman

Nathan Cavaliere is a junior anthropology major and a standing member of the MDSP. He has has acted in King Lear, three shorter Shakespeare productions, two showcases for the Muses (one of which was sus), and various student films and radio dramas. Nathan is also the designer of Domains of Shadow, a tabletop roleplaying game system meant to tell stories in the style of Shakespeare.

Mia Cohen (she/her)

Sampson

is a goofy lil freshman. This is her first full-length MDSP show, but she’s been involved in Shakespeare theatre for five years. She would like to thank the team for their hard work.

Edith Corey (she/her)

Tybalt

Edith is a Freshman Psychology major. This is her first production with the Maryland Shakespeare Players, and she is so happy to be a part of this show. She would like to thank her friends for convincing her to audition and everyone she has met along the way for reminding her why she loves theatre. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Cameron Denny (he/him)

Capulet

has no clue where he is or how he got there. He’d like to thank all the other actors and the production team, as they’ve not only made this show fantastic to work in, but also in helping to put up his missing person poster. If you happen to know where his family is, please pick him up.

Logan Garvin (he/him)

Benvolio

This is Logan's second MDSP performance, and he hopes you enjoy the show! He is studying chemistry, enjoys being outdoors, and loves spending time with his family, friends, and girlfriend.

Rin Gourianova (any)

Prologue/Apothecary/Third Watchman

Rin is a senior Neuroscience and Linguistics double major excited for her third show with MDSP where she will spoil the entire show within the first couple of lines and then contribute to fulfilling her own words a few acts later. Well, at least with all these vampires there should be plenty of coffins available!

Rina Haimson (she/her)

Balthasar/Fight Captain

is a Freshman History major. Her previous credits include Sir Andrew (Twelfth Night) with MDSP, as well as Benvolio (Romeo and Juliet) and Hermia (Midsummer Night's Dream) with Imagination Stage. She would like to thank the cast and production team for all their hard work, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Mikey Howerton (he/him)

Juliet

is a senior Environmental Science and Policy major. It’s with pride and tearful eyes that he performs this fifth and final show with MDSP. He’d like to thank Zoe, Andy, & Liam for holding his hand through finding Juliet; Jacob for keeping the kisses silly; and Betsy & Claire for the edible glitter. Since his first month as a freshman, each in-person semester has been spent rehearsing with this lovely club. To those who’ve shared their shoulder, heart, and laughter these past four years, thank you all.

Lilia Karapetyan (she/her)

Mercutio

A Senior Criminology and French double major, she has played Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing), Goneril (King Lear), and Duke Orsino (Twelfth Night). This, however, will be her final farewell to MDSP, so you can be sure it will be very dramatic... and bloody! Please enjoy her portrayal of Boys Being Boys in this show titled "It's All Fun and Games until Someone Loses an Eye, or Dies." Speaking seriously, she would like to thank the entire club for making her years on campus so warm and memorable.

Grace Levine (she/they)

Paris

is a Junior Electrical Engineering major, or at least, that's what she wants you to think. As an amorphous blob that got access to the internet at too young an age, Grace has aspired to take over humanity through the enchanting power of theater, already taking part in Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear, and other MDSP productions. She's regretting the whole "being human thing", though, because she found out pretty early on that dogs don't need to learn how to do linear algebra.

Liam McCue (he/him)

Montague

Is a senior aerospace engineering major. This is his first and last production with MDSP. He has had a blast reprising his role as Montague from high school. He would like to thank his family for their support and he hopes you enjoy the show!

Aidan Owens (he/him)

Greggory

Aidan is a sophomore economics major. This is his first show with MDSP and hopefully not his last. He would like to thank everyone involved in the production for being so welcoming

Jacob Pelzman-Kern (he/him)

Romeo

Is a senior theatre major, and is delighted to be wrapping up his last year of college with Shakespeare Club. He would like to thank everyone involved with the club for all the kindness and love they have so graciously shared these past four years. He would not be the same without them :)

Ema Rajala (they/them)

Lady Montague/Peter/Second Watchman

This particular rat is a second year in Architecture, but more importantly this is their second production in MDSP. Having been the best musician and officer in Twelfth Night as well as an actor in the Fearless New Play Festival, they felt more than prepared to take on a new challenge! And with overwhelming excitement for this production, they'd like to thank the whole crew for endless days and lost sleep.

Clare Reilly (she/her)

Nurse

Clare is a junior history and art history double major. This is her fourth show with MDSP, and was previously in Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear, and Twelfth Night. She wants to thank the cast and crew for making this such a wonderful production to be part of and for putting up with her shenanigans. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Dylan Speiser (he/him)

Friar Laurence

is super excited for his second-ish MDSP production. Dylan is a Sophomore Computer Engineering major who is proud to call the theater his home, whether playing onstage or dangling lights from the catwalks offstage. He’d like to thank his family for enabling his dramaticism, and the cast and crew of this awesome show for becoming his friends along the way.

Nicky Sremac-Saari (he/him)

Abraham

Nicky Sremac-Saari is a series of romance fantasy films based on the book series Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. He has grossed over $3.4 billion worldwide. He has been in MDSP’s productions of King Lear, Twelfth Night, and is now very excited to add Romeo and Juliet to the list.

Elena Yeatts-Lonske (she/they)

Lady Capulet

Elena Yeatts-Lonske is a senior English major with a Creative Writing minor. This is their fourth and final show with MDSP. She wants to give a huge tearful thank you to her parents for their unwavering kindness and support. They also want to thank all the kind, talented, radiant people they have had the honor of befriending in this wonderful club! How lucky she is to have met you. :,)

Raphaella Tenembaum (she/her)

Prince Escalus

Raphaella is a senior English major and astronomy minor who also studies cybersecurity. She likes sunflowers and metalworking and hopes you enjoy the show!

Andy Hindenach (they/them)

Co-Director/Dance Choreographer

is a senior Psychology major. They are delighted to welcome you to their final production with the Maryland Shakespeare Players, with whom they have found a home for the last four years. They want to thank Liam, Ryan, Kiefer, Zoe, Claire, Betsy, and Adam; Lilia, Mikey, Jacob, and Elena; Rachel and Rachel; Paul, Jack, and Percy. And they want to thank you, reader– they hope you enjoy the show.

Liam O'Donoghue (he/him)

Co-Director/Set Designer

is a junior Mechanical Engineer major, minoring in Project Management. His MDSP credits include MDSP's Virtual 15-Minute Tragedies (Tybalt, Paris, Edmund, Julius Caesar), Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato), King Lear (Albany), and Twelfth Night (Asst. Director/Fight Captain). He has also appeared in TDPS's Book Club Play (u/s Male Pundit). Liam would like to thank Zoe, Andy, Kiefer, and the entire cast, crew, and production team of Romeo and Juliet for helping make this dream a reality.

Zoe Gallagher (she/her)

Artistic Director/Costume Designer

Is a Senior Public Policy Major. This is her fourth show with Maryland Shakespeare Players and her final show in a directorial seat. She would like to thank her parents for instilling in her a love of theater and Shakespeare, her amazing partner Rin for their immense support, and her best friends, especially Deniz, for contributing to this production whether they wanted to or not. Most of all, she would like to thank Liam and Andy for turning her half-baked idea of a Vampire vs Werewolf Romeo and Juliet into a reality and for being such incredible directors.

Kiefer Cure (he/him)

Assistant Director/Fight & Intimacy Director/Sound Designer

is a theatre and neuroscience student at UMD. He is a designer, director, and performer and is happy to be working with MDSP again!

Adam Hawley (he/him)

Calling Stage Manager

Sophomore theatre major. Creative and Performing Arts Scholar. Recent Works: The Book Club Play (UMD, ASM), As You Like It (UMD, ASM) Matilda, Guys and Dolls (Imagination Stage, Props Designer), Beauty and the Beast (Olney Theatre Center, Props Artisan).

Ryan Lindner (she/her)

Production Stage Manager

is so excited to be a part of this show. She is so thankful for the directors for letting her little vampire-self be on the stage-management team. Credits: Macbeth at Two River Theater, Twelfth Night at Two River Theater, Much Ado About Nothing at Two River Theater, Twelfth Night with MDSP

Alex Bryan-Taff (he/him)

Assistant Stage Manager

Alex is very grateful for the opportunity to have worked on this wonderful show, with this amazing cast and crew. He deeply regrets not being able to engage in that opportunity, having been replaced by a reptoid clone 5 months prior. He would also like to request that someone mount a rescue operation, please, for the love of God, come save me, please.

Betsy Barrett (any)

Props/Makeup/Costume Designer

is in their senior year as an Animal Science major, and is happy to be a part of their third and final UMD Shakespeare show. She’d like to thank her friends and family for supporting her throughout this experience, especially Zoë for inspiring her to join the club in the first place. She’d also like to thank the Twilight series and Kristen Stewart for impassioning her with a lifelong love for vampires and werewolves.

Max Abramovitz (he/him)

Lighting Designer

Max Abramovitz is a Senior Theatre major. This is his first (and unfortunately final) show with MDSP. This entire show has been a blast for him and he wants to thank the Production Team for making the whole process so fun. He hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Claire Nelson (she/her)

Makeup & Props Designer

is a Senior Early Childhood Special Education major. This is her sixth show with MDSP but her first time working on the production team. Past MDSP credits include Viola (Twelfth Night) and Regan (King Lear). She would like to thank Betsy for being the best makeup and props partner ever; she would have totally freaked out without them.

Lucas Armyn (he/him)

Sound Board Operator

Lucas Armyn is a little creature that was found out back and abducted to run sound. He has years of experience sitting in dark rooms and hitting buttons, with one past role of doing the exact same thing in Twelfth Night. He would like to thank the rest of the amazing crew and cast for allowing him to creepily watch them make their magic through a shaded window.

Victor Ley (he/him)

Camera Crew

is a Senior Mechanical Engineering major. This is his first production with the Maryland Shakespeare Players, but he also played Rosencrantz and egg Macduff in the Spring 2023 Revue. He'd like to thank Liam O’Donoghue for the John Short politics in 371 and letting him know about MDSP.

Chiso Obichere (she/her)

Camera Crew

is a Freshman Neuroscience major. This is her first show with MDSP and she's extremely excited to join the team! Before coming to the UMD, she performed in multiple shows including She Kills Monsters, and loves working behind the scenes. Hope you enjoy the show!

Maria Nikolaitchik (she/her)

Light Board Operator

Is a third year atmospheric sciences and statistics major. She enjoys numbers, clouds, and numbers related to clouds. Sometimes, she breaches containment to do theater. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Thomas Prestwich (he/him)

Stagehand

Is a GVPT and HIST double major. This is his first time as a crew member and is a sophomore.

Matthew Simmons (he/him)

Stagehand

Is a senior majoring in math and computer science. Forgot about his passion for theater after being denied from the middle school play, here to make it up.

Photos

Special Thanks:

Beth Ribar

Jen Osborne

Sam Crawford

Andrew Cissna

Dr. Karen Nelson

Myers Brinn Institute

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Staff

Extra special thanks to Matt Reader for constructing our most crucial set piece, the coffin, despite his son graduating last semester. We are so grateful for your kindness and contribution to this production. And an additional thank you to Betsy Barrett, who dedicated more than several hours of their life to bring the coffin to life - or should we say death - through painting and upholstering.

Another special thanks to Alana Isaac for putting together this program and playing an instrumental role in our tech process!