For stony limits cannot hold love out.
Romeo + Juliet
Dates: March 1-31, 2019
Run Time: 3 hours with one intermission
Location: The Allen Theatre
John Langs directs this deconstructed rendition of Shakespeare’s most notable tragedy. The tale of the two young lovers torn apart by feuding families remains, but the innovation of this production gives audiences an opportunity to experience Shakespeare like never before.
Langs has brought his critically acclaimed direction to fifteen Shakespeare plays in the course of his career. His inspiration for this production comes from the current political and social climate and by the rise of youth-led activism in direct response to events of violence and unrest. “Romeo + Juliet is a play about how old systems fail young people. How an older generation fails a younger one. It is the most passionate love story of all time, and now is the right time for ACT to tell,” Langs asserts. Performed in the round, The Allen Theatre will be completely transformed to surround the audience with the world of the play for a unique and powerful immersive experience.
Featuring Deaf actors Joshua Castille and Howie Seago, this production is American Sign Language (ASL) integrated. Sign Coach Ellie Savidge, local ASL interpreters, Director John Langs, and members of the cast have been working through the text and determining the translation of Shakespeare’s language that will express this beautiful, powerful story to all audiences. From the deconstruction of the text to the transformation of the theatre space to the integration of ASL, ACT Theatre’s Romeo + Juliet will leave an impact well beyond the final performance.
If you wish to sit in the designated ASL seating for this performance, use the code ASL before purchasing.
CAST
CREATIVE TEAM
John Langs Director
Skip Mercier Scenic Designer
Pete Rush Costume Designer
Robert Aguilar Lighting Designer
Robertson Witmer Sound Designer
Geoff Alm Fight Coach
Ellie Savidge Sign Coach
Ruth Eitemiller Stage Manager
Kelly McGee Production Assistant
March 5 | 6:00 pm
Behind the Scenes with Classical King FM
Get closer to the artists with Classical KING FM’s Sean MacLean as he interviews the creative minds behind the shows.
March 7 | 6:00 pm
Red Carpet Opening Night
Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne and be a part of the excitement on Opening Night!
March 10 (evening) | after the show
Dialogue
March 14 (evening) | 6:00 pm
Deep Dive
A series of performances, lectures, or panel discussions that allow you to dig deeper into the themes of the play before the performance.
Maggie Rogers is a Seattle based director, dramaturg, sound designer, writer, and fat activist who proudly hails from Louisville, KY. She attended Columbia College Chicago graduating as class Valedictorian in 2014 with degrees in Directing and American Sign Language. Favorite Seattle credits include Everything You Touch (Washington Ensemble Theatre, director), Brandi Alexander (Love City Love, director), Teh Internet is Serious Business (Washington Ensemble Theatre, dramaturg), Kissing Like Babies (On the Boards, dramaturg). Her article All Sizes Fit All: The Case for Normalizing Fatness on Stage was published in the March 2018 issue of American Theatre magazine. This fall she will be making her international directorial debut with Brandi Alexander by Tatiana Pavela at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. www.rogersmaggie.com
March 19 | after the show
Dialogue Featuring guest responder Patty Liang of Deaf Spotlight!
As the executive director of Deaf Spotlight, Patty is a visionary leader of artistic programming that celebrates Deaf culture and American Sign Language in Seattle and beyond. She will share her thoughts about the show and the ways it integrates Deaf culture into Shakespeare’s most famous play. Be sure to stick around after the performance!
March 12, 17 (evening), and 23 (matinee) | after the show
Cast Chats*
Conversations with cast members following the performance.
(*Subject to change)
All above special events for Romeo + Juliet will be ASL interpreted.
March 10 | 2:00 PM
March 12 | 7:30 PM
March 14 | 7:30 PM
March 23 | 8:00 PM
March 27 | 7:30 PM
At designated interpreted performances, ASL seating is reserved solely for our Deaf and Hard of Hearing patrons who require ASL interpretation and their guests.
The Blind Cafe Experience mission is to transform the quality of how people relate to themselves and others. Attendees at Blind Cafe Experiences are challenged to socially engage as they break bread, participate in a discussion with legally Blind Ambassadors, and experience an intimate music in the dark showcase. Learn more & Get tickets at theblindcafe.com/seattle
Age & Content Considerations: Romeo + Juliet contains staged violence, blood, suicide, gun violence, gun shots, and adult themes.
ACT believes that our patrons can determine what is offensive for themselves, and what is appropriate for their children. We don’t create age restrictions but do our best to offer content advisories for each show. For detailed information about show content and possible triggers, please contact communications@acttheatre.org.
ACT's Near Perfect ROMEO + JULIET is the One We've Been Waiting For
Gabriella O’Fallon and Joshua M. Castille in Romeo + Juliet (Chris Bennion)
Here’s Romeo and Juliet like you’ve never seen it...
From left, ASL interpreter Brad Gallaway and director John Langs rehearse “Romeo + Juliet” with actors Gabriella O’Fallon (playing Juliet) and Joshua Castille (Romeo). The fences are part of the set, as the famous balcony and also symbolizing the separation of Romeo and Juliet. (Cati Thelen)
Broadway’s Joshua Castille Will Lead Seattle Production of Romeo + Juliet
Joshua Castille (Mark Kitoaka)
“As I watched the outpouring of passion that came from the young survivors of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida – as a person living in the world, as a father, and as a citizen -I was struck by how fierce, mission driven, articulate, and fearless these young people are. Romeo & Juliet is a play about how old systems fail young people. How an older generation fails a younger one. It is the most passionate love story of all time, and now is the right time for ACT to tell it.”
—John Langs
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