Work Begins on Teen “Romeo and Juliet” at New Britain Youth Theater

Preparation for a production of William Shakespeare’s teen tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, begins at New Britain Youth Theater in November. Set in 1967 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the “Summer of Love,” the play will be performed outdoors at the New Britain Museum of American Art in June 2017.

For teens planning to audition (or even thinking about auditioning) for the production, NBYT is holding a three-week workshop to read and discuss the play. Attention will be given to understanding the characters and plot, and to discussing the language and poetry of the text. Actors will also have an opportunity to perform some scenes from the play, all in preparation for February auditions. Audition workshops will be held in January, along with a stage combat workshop. During rehearsals, in addition to preparing the play, actors will discuss events, styles, and social history of 1967, and will visit the pop-art collections from the 1960s at the art museum.

The November workshops—for ages 12 through 19—will be held on Thursdays, November 3, 10 and 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the New Britain-Berlin YMCA at 50 High Street. The cost is $10 for all three weeks or $5 per week individually.

Participation is encouraged, but not required, for anyone planning to audition in February. To register or get more information, email [email protected] or call 860-515-8115.