Behind the scenes of Romeo and Juliet: How MC’s Theatre department is bringing Shakespeare to life

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a production known by audiences around the world; however, each production is an opportunity to bring fresh perspectives to the timeless tragedy. Maryville College’s production of Romeo and Juliet is no exception. Behind the scenes, the cast and crew have faced unique challenges and collaborated in ways that make this production special. 

Clara Webster (‘26), a cast member in the ensemble, said it has been a labor-intensive process, partially due to time constraints.

“Putting on the show in basically a month is a challenge in itself; it takes a lot of work,” Webster said. 

Normally, the production team has seven weeks to build the set and rehearse, but due to how early it is in the semester, this time they have just four. Many students that are part of the crew are still learning the ropes and Kevin Grigsby, technical director for the Division of Fine Arts, said there’s a balance between teaching and executing the design. 

“It’s very challenging to do anything with 45 kids that only kind of know what they are doing. We should be teaching them, but we have to get the set done,” Grigsby said.

The team has opted for a minimalist set design, which will not only reduce the workload but also enhance the focus on the actors and the emotional aspects of the production. 

“It’s been a lot of trial and error,” Grigsby said, “but we’re making it work.”

In addition to the set, lighting plays a key role in creating atmosphere and conveying the characters’ inner turmoil. Crew member Anthony Fraser (‘26) said that the lighting can help enhance the storytelling by furthering emotions, tension, and coloring. 

Fraser further explained that it can help the audience interpret what the characters are feeling, as lighting changes can deepen the audience’s connection to the characters. 

One of the standout elements of this production is the fight choreography. Andy Vaught, the director of the production, emphasizes that the violence in this Romeo and Juliet will be anything but subtle. 

“We’ve worked to find the unobvious choice for this play,” he said. “This play is all about what lengths people will go to for love. And the lengths are extreme. We are uninterested in presenting something cute.”

The actors have been rigorously training with practice swords and shields. The carpentry crew and the actors collaborate to ensure that costumes and set pieces do not interfere with the fight scene. For Grigsby, it’s about creating a seamless blend of realism and magic. 

“I prefer people to think it’s like magic,” he said. “It helps make the story special when [the audience doesn’t] know exactly why or how. It brings a lot of wow!”

Molly Bailey (‘26), costume designer for Romeo and Juliet, said that she felt no hesitation when it came to designing the costumes for the production. 

“I’ve spent such a long time with the ideas in the back of my mind that it was really easy to pull them out and use [them].” 

For this particular production of Romeo and Juliet, Bailey was inspired by all the different ways this production is performed, leading her to mix the historical with the modern. 

She said this inspired her to use “the silhouettes of the 14th-16th century,” and “mixing them with the trends of the 2020s.” She describes this as “colors like red and patterns like cheetah print but putting them on a dress in the renaissance style.”

Bailey said her favorite costume design so far is for the nurse because, “she is in a full cheetah print dress and I think that is absolutely iconic.”

Of course, without the talented cast prepared to bring life to Shakespeare’s iconic characters, the production wouldn’t be complete. The actors have brought their own interpretations to the beloved characters, giving them a new depth and complexity. 

“The great thing about Shakespeare is that everything you need to know is written for you,” said Vaught. “He gives you galaxies of emotion inside of one person.”

Sasha Hoenie (‘26), who was cast as Romeo, embraces the character’s extreme and intense emotions. “I love playing to the extremes,” they said, “whether that be love at first sight, fits of violent rage, or pathetic tantrums on the floor.” Hoenie hopes the audience will feel the same intensity in their portrayal of Romeo, as that would be the most rewarding. 

Hoenie relates to Romeo on a passionate level, as they are both romantics. Hoenie said, “I am fueled by my passion, and I see a lot of my passion mirrored in Romeo.” 

Meredith Wynn (‘26), who plays Juliet, shared her deep connection with the iconic character. 

“What makes Juliet timeless is that she is just a girl experiencing her first love,” Wynn said. She also pointed out that Juliet feels real emotions. 

“I feel like many people can relate to the beauty and pain of first love and all its tribulations.”

Like Hoenie, Wynn is drawn and connected to the raw devotion of her character. “I would go to the ends of the earth for the people I love,” she said, “I love this part of Juliet’s character because it is such a raw emotion to care for and worry for the well-being of another constantly.”

This production of Romeo and Juliet also offers a new experience for the audience: a unique setting in the round. This experience means the audience will feel even closer to the story and the characters on stage.

 Cast member Reid Goad (‘28) explained the effect of this layout. 

“[The play] is happening right in front of you, around you, and it includes you,” Goad said.

Hoenie said, “There is nowhere for the actors to escape to; they are almost always in sight. Keep an eye out for cast members lurking in the audience, because there might be a character closer than you realize!”

Vaught noted that the production will feel alive. 

“There are crafty servants, emo squires, and deeply cynical musicians,” he said. “I’m stoked to see how some of these ‘forgotten’ scenes play out.”

As the cast and crew continue to rehearse and prepare, they are excited to share their work and passion with the audience. There are plenty of aspects to appreciate in this production, from the intense fight scenes to the emotional depths of the characters. This production of the timeless play Romeo and Juliet provides a fresh and new perspective. 

Productions will be held in the Flex Theatre of the Clayton Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13; Friday, Feb. 14; and Saturday, Feb. 15; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16.