Deidree Friesen | Arts + Life Editor

Buena Vista University (BVU) Theatre presents Shakespeare’s “The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet” starting this Wednesday, April 27 through Saturday, April 30th at 7:30 in Anderson Auditorium. This classic romantic tragedy will be told in a very unique way. Dr. Bethany Larson, Associate Professor of Theatre, shares a behind the scenes look at this production as she tirelessly sews together costumes with help from her high school intern, Monica.

There are 5 men and 7 women that are cast in the production. Each cast member plays Romeo or Juliet at different times during the play.

“They play Romeo and Juliet at different times, partly out of my analysis that, you know, the characters change as they learn, as they fall in love,” Larson shared. “And, It’s college! You’re here to learn, right? Why wouldn’t you want to play Romeo or Juliet? I mean seriously, why only have one person for each of those roles when you could have everyone having a part of it?”

One of the challenges Larson and the actors face is making sure the audience follows and understands what’s happening when the Romeo and Juliet characters change actors.

“That’s the real challenge, how are we going to make sure the audience knows who’s who and when they are who they are,” Larson said.

In high school, 15-year-old Larson played Lady Capulet in a very traditional rendition of the production. As a graduate student at age 27, Larson again played Lady Capulet. This time, Larson watched as her fellow cast mates switched around, playing secondary characters and rotating the roles of Romeo and Juliet. This inspired Larson to try it with BVU students this year.

When Larson first announced her goal to BVU cast members after their auditions, the students seemed a little shocked and skeptical of the idea, but agreed to commit to the challenge.

Larson went into detail about the creation of the costumes and how simple they had to be in order to execute quick changes. For example, 3 of the ladies that play Juliet also play Mercutio, Tybalt, and Benvolio. They have to quickly change from skirts to tights in between scenes.

The detail and thought in which Larson has spent on these costumes is incredible. She makes sure that members of the same families are easily recognizable by style and color of clothing, and that the simplicity of the Romeo and Juliet costumes reflect their roles as the least affected by their society.

Romeo and Juliet is a story most everyone has heard. Larson challenges the students and community to come experience this incredible story once more in a fresh way.

“There’s so many versions of this story. The two lovers that can never be together, it’s just a pervasive thing. I want the audience to watch it maybe with new eyes,” Larson shared.

Larson is very grateful for the support the theatre department has received from staff, faculty, and administration at BVU.

“For example, we have this work space. We didn’t used to have a workspace. Two years ago we were building costumes in the back hallway of Anderson Auditorium and now we have this [room in Swope], which is great,” Larson said.

Larson also wants to encourage BVU students to attend the production.

“Theatre is hard. It requires so much effort and so much commitment and it really matters that people support each other,” Larson said.

Photos by Deidree Friesen