CFPA to stage re-imagining of 'Romeo & Juliet' Oct. 14-16 in the Performing Arts Center

Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” plays on the Performing Arts Center Mainstage from Oct. 14-16 in a newly imagined production directed by Professor of Theatre and Dance Mark Kuntz, with Romeo and Juliet being played by Western students Gabe Zuniga, Zachary Lewis, Catie Hinson and Jersey Patterson.

Live projections will be “VJ’ed” by Assistant Professor of Art & Art History Sasha Petrenko; movement is choreographed by Senior Instructor Pam Kuntz with stage lighting by Associate Professor Darren McCroom and original music by Assistant Professor of Music Charles Halka. The production features a minimal set suggested by an innovative stage and a giant piece of fabric that will be used as a projection screen while being manipulated by actors. The live-mixed projections are done using special software to manipulate the video much like a DJ would spin music.

“Each performance will be unique,” said Petrenko.

Mark Kuntz said his approach to exploring this story was born over 20 years ago on the Mainstage during a production of Henrik Ibsen’s “Peer Gynt.”

“We collaborated with a large group of students to create an epic story using just one (large) piece of fabric,” said Kuntz of the earlier production. “I have been chomping at the bit to give the idea another go. This time we added more fabric and added the use of projected imagery to create the world of the play.”

Thanks to student activity fees, all WWU students can take advantage of free seating in the balcony. No tickets are required for the free student seating. WWU students show their Western Card to the house manager at the door to the theatre, and then the students can go up to the balcony for seating. Reserved tickets on the main floor are also available to students at a discounted rate.

“Romeo and Juliet” plays at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 14-16, and with additional 2 p.m. matinees on Oct. 15 and 16. Tickets are available at https://tickets.wwu.edu/ or by calling the box office at (360) 650-6146. The box office is also open an hour before each performance. Parking and visitor information is available at https://cfpa.wwu.edu/getting-here.