Michigan Shakespeare Festival Performs Romeo and Juliet at BHS
Michigan Shakespeare Festival Performs Romeo and Juliet at BHS
On June 6, 2023, Berkley High School students had the opportunity to see a production of Romeo and Juliet performed by the Michigan Shakespeare Festival (MSF). This performance marked the seventh time the troupe has come to BHS and the first since the pandemic interrupted their work.
Prior to the performance, 9th grade students read Romeo and Juliet in English class while listening to a BBC production of the play. They also watched portions of Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptations. The Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s production allowed students to experience yet another rendering of this classic work. Admission to see the play was opened to 10th and 11th graders since they missed seeing it performed live due to the pandemic.
After the play, the actors stuck around for a “talk-back session,” answering students’ questions about what the actors bring to their roles and the parts of the play they most enjoy performing.
BHS English Teacher Paul Cierpial shared, “The MSF’s production is expertly tailored to their audience. Romeo and Juliet reads like a comedy for the first two acts, and the actors incorporate over-the-top physical gestures that ensure high school students appreciate the bawdy humor. The cast also handles the fight scenes effectively—the swordplay is well choreographed. And, importantly, the dramatic moments are registered with the seriousness they demand.”
