This past August NACL held a weeklong workshop for Teens aged 12-18. The Students worked from 10am until 5pm everyday in a professional setting to create an experimental version of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo & Juliet.
What did we end up with?
Well, a 45-minute carnival ride filled with multiple Juliets, Romeos, and Priestesses. Some wonderful group singing of songs from all over the world—not to mention an original song composed during the workshop, accompanied by cello. Vibrant colours, images and disguises swirled amongst Shakespeare’s distilled penmanship, showcasing the vitality and exuberance of the students, as well as their wonderful engagement with the Elizabethan love story.
What do the Participants say?
“I really liked the workshop and would love to do it again next summer, given the choice. I made a lot of friends and miss not hanging out with them every day.”
-Gavin DuBois
“It was so much fun to be with other teenagers, like myself, who are interested in acting. Also, since I just turned thirteen, it was great to work up to the level of some of the seventeen-year-olds. Each time I do theater at NACL I feel recognized and appreciated for my creativity in acting, improvising and writing.”
-Lucy Jan-Turan
“It was a fun experience, just being with other actors. It was like being in a school-away drama club, kids just as silly and cool as the ones I've known to love over the years. I hope there is another workshop so we can all meet at again, since it was so much fun! (and I miss the spicy vegetable soup!)”
-Lizzy Heck
“I had an eye-opening experience doing Romeo and Juliet! I had never done anything like that in my life and it was great. I loved it and had a blast doing it. Tannis and Glenn were amazing and I made new friends while doing an awesome show!"
-Erika Vorstadt
“I loved taking part in the Romeo and Juliet camp. It was a blast. I loved how the campers wrote the play themselves and how we were given the chance to pick the parts that we wanted. I can't wait until next summer to sign up for another NACL camp!”
-Yael Acker-Krzywicki
