Romeo and Juliet

Columbia Children’s Theatre brings Romeo and Juliet to Tapp’s Arts Center.

To say Romeo and Juliet were at-risk teenagers would be an understatement. The defiance of parental and societal authority, and the recklessness of first love contained in Shakespeare’s late-16th century tragedy have resonated through the centuries. Contemporary stage and screen retellings — the 1996 film with Leonardo DiCaprio, the 1957 musical West Side Story —  often draw parallels with modern issues of gang violence and teen suicide. 

Now Columbia Children’s Theatre is partnering with the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy to present a free performance of the popular tale, designed specifically for children and teens in middle and high school and their parents. 

“We’re targeting families with teens who will hopefully see the show, and talk about how choices can affect their future,” says Jerry Stevenson, co-founder and artistic director of the theater. Following this week’s performance, he notes that there will be a facilitated talkback session, designed to foster “discussions about positive life choices in the teen years.”  

He explains that an Arts in Education Projects grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission in 2015 enabled the development of a version of Romeo and Juliet that was “contemporary and accessible to middle and high school students [and might] also provide arts-infused lesson plans for teachers in non-arts areas, who would use the play as a springboard to engage students in other disciplines.” 

Now in its 13th season, CCT is a year-round, full-time professional theater company, employing professional actors who teach classes and provide acting opportunities for kids, performing kid-friendly shows for young audiences. 

E. A. “Beth” De Santis, CEO of the SC Campaign, notes that the theater’s prior experience with this week’s teen-targeted production made for an obvious partnership.

“[We’re] constantly looking for creative ways to engage young people and families around the issue of healthy relationships and healthy life choices,” she says. “This production of Romeo and Juliet is a great way to facilitate a discussion between young people and their parents or guardians around love and relationships by using a timeless play.” 

Devised, adapted and directed by Cathy Brookshire — a University of South Carolina professor and a former Globe Theatre intern — this version of the play runs about 60 minutes, and features modern updates such as cell phones and pop songs from the 1960s, with a cast of six actors playing all the roles. Since its inception, Stevenson notes that the show has employed more than 20 actors, toured to 11 different venues, and had three in-house productions, allowing it to be seen by more than 2,000 students, teachers and parents.

But broadening its audience base is only one of CCT’s many goals. Development Director Larry Hembree, who previously held leadership positions at the Nickelodeon Theatre and Trustus Theatre, reveals that the company is relocating from the second floor in Richland Mall — where it’s been based since 2009 — to the first, between Barnes & Noble and Belk, in the former Eckerd location, vacant since 1999. 

“It’s a much larger space, and the relocation will increase our visibility,” Hembree says, noting that the new digs will include entrances from both inside and outside the mall. “This is a great move for us and will most likely be temporary for a season or two as we continue the search for a more permanent location.”  

The premiere of Stevenson’s original work, Commedia Sleeping Beauty, will be the first performance in the new space when the production premieres on June 10, but the theater plans to be in full operation in the new space by June 5 when its summer camps open.

Settling into his new position since December, Hembree hopes to take CCT to a new level of community support. 

“Currently, our revenue consists of about 75 percent earned income and 25 percent contributed, but we would like this to shift to a 50/50 contributed ratio within three years,” he says. “We also are aggressively working to expand our touring opportunities in the Midlands, and increase this revenue stream, too. So touring shows like Romeo and Juliet help us on the financial front, help the community become more aware of our work outside our own theatre space, and help us educate the public that a large part of our programming is producing work for youth and families by adult professional actors.”  


 

What: Romeo and Juliet

Where: Tapp’s Arts Center, 1644 Main St.

When: Thursday, May 18, 7 p.m.

Price: Free

More: tappsartscenter.com

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