Players By The Sea Presents a Powerful All Female Cast in Romeo & Juliet

February 17, 2020
4 mins read
A Behind the Scenes look at Romeo & Juliet, Players By The Sea Presents a Powerful All Female Cast in Romeo & Juliet
A behind-the-scenes of Romeo & Juliet

Players By The Sea Presents a Powerful All Female Cast in Romeo & Juliet

When the now-defunct Self Produced Theatre announced it was closing its doors with an unrealized production of an all-female production of Romeo & Juliet in the works, it took the spirit of collaboration to help bring the story to life

Players by the Sea partnered with Tyler Lewis, artistic director of Self Produced Theatre, Romeo & Juliet Director Amy Canning Love and Assistant Director Ashley Jones to create a space for this groundbreaking production. Romeo & Juliet will be staged Feb. 20-23 at Players by the Sea in Jacksonville Beach (www.playersbythesea.org).

A behind-the-scenes of Romeo & Juliet

“I knew the directors and the leads were passionate about the project, so I never had doubts that they were going to do everything possible to make it happen,” says Erin Barnes, who plays Lady Capulet. “Also, I like to think that our theatre and arts community here in Jacksonville is full of talented, hardworking, inspired people who, when it comes down to it, truly support and lift up one another. I was thrilled when Players by the Sea offered us a home, but not surprised. I’m so proud to be a part of a community that values its artists and takes care of them.”

In this all-female retelling of the classic tragedy Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare, young noble Romeo is heartbroken over a lost love. This sorrow is quickly forgotten upon meeting and falling for Juliet at a rival family’s party. The only problem arises when it is discovered that she is a member of that same rival court. The two teenagers defy their families and all odds in order to find love with one another through any means necessary.

“We keep the narrative as is, but change all pronouns, titles, and references to other people to the female pronouns and names. Therefore, we have a Prioress instead of a friar, Countess Paris, and the Princess who eventually banishes Romeo and chastises the feuding families,” says Barnes. “I was personally hoping for a male role – would love to play Mercutio! However, my part is Lady Capulet, Juliet’s mother.”

A Behind the Scenes look at Romeo & Juliet, Players By The Sea Presents a Powerful All Female Cast in Romeo & Juliet
Erica Villanueva, in a behind-the-scenes of Romeo & Juliet

For Barnes, it’s special because she’s performing for the first time alongside her 10-year-old daughter, Clara. “My kids have taken classes, camps, and been to school with me since they were born, so we’re using to creating art and theatre together,” she says. “In this case, it’s so wonderful for me to have this experience with Clara in particular, because it feels empowering and important to do an all-female take on a classic theatrical masterwork. I love her coming to rehearsals with me, and I love watching her work and learn and create something that I get to be a part of, but not in charge of, for a change. Mostly, when I’ve worked with my own kids, I’ve been a director, a musician, or a teacher.”

The entire Barnes family is involved in community theatre – dad Matt starred as Mr. Mushnik in Players’ production of Little Shop of Horrors, Erin was recently seen in Bridges of Madison County and son Cason appeared with his mom in 5 & Dimes’ Falsettos last year. She’s also expecting a new baby with husband Matt, who is also a member of the local theatre community.

“Mostly with the kids I’ve done camp shows and school shows. When they were little, they would tag along with us to the theatre for our shows. My oldest did Cinderella and Oliver! with me in Orange Park, and then the first show we did together as a family was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Northeast Florida Conservatory in 2016,” says Barnes, “This is my first one on one with Clara and we’re loving it! My favorite part of this show is just that we are castmates. We run lines, we talk about our props and costumes, we gossip on the way to and from rehearsals. It’s a treat.”

A Behind the Scenes look at Romeo & Juliet, Players By The Sea Presents a Powerful All Female Cast in Romeo & Juliet
A behind-the-scenes of Romeo & Juliet

Clara, who plays Balthasar, is excited to be working with her mom and a cast that includes so many talented women. “I thought it would be cool to do an all-girl play. I’m playing Balthasar, who was a boy in the original script. He’s Romeo’s servant and friend. I didn’t really care if I was a boy or girl. I am just trying to memorize the lines,” she says. 

“My mom has kind of a big part, so I like to watch her work really hard and we practice lines together. Since we have to do so much work, we get to spend lots of time together. She’s taught me to memorize my lines,” she says. “It’s kinda cool. I’ve worked with her for many years, so it’s not, like, surprising anymore, but it’s fun to be with her and all the other girls too.”

While she was familiar with the story’s basic plot points, mastering the Shakespearean language has been an exciting challenge for Clara. “I never read the book or anything, but I knew that Romeo and Juliet both die, and that it was because of poison or something. My favorite scene is the last one, after they die, when everyone is standing around sad and it’s kind of my character’s fault,” she says. “The language is really hard – trying to memorize my lines I actually have to figure out what I’m saying first!”

But ones of the best parts of playing Balthasar? Clara is learning to wield her character’s mighty sword.  “I was not nervous! I’m really happy that get to use them. They’re pretty cool. One of the girls in the cast does sword stuff professionally, so she’s teaching us all about them,” she says. “I have a belt and like a big dagger that I get to carry. The swords are as tall as me and kinda fancy so I can’t really carry them in my belt.”

Barnes is hopeful that audiences will experience a “fresh perspective feeling that they’ve seen a completely different and worthwhile twist on a well-known and beloved story. I hope we surprise a few people!” Says Clara, “I hope they take away that all genders can do any kind of play they want to.”

Current Issue

SUBMIT EVENTS

Submit Events

Advertisements

An Evening with Jason Isbell
The Amp
Collision Homecoming
JWJ Park Events
omaha-steaks-banners

Date

Title

Current Month

Follow FOLIO!

Scotty Briggs Art
Previous Story

What’s Next for Scotty Briggs’ Art? Show Up, Create, & Savor the Whole Human Experience

Next Story

Solite, So Low

Latest from Community

THE ILLUSIONISTS will add magic to your season

This Tuesday, for one night only, the record-breaking THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS will be onstage at the Performing Arts Center in Jacksonville.  Having originated on Broadway, the show features rotating performers who have wowed audiences around the world since 2012. Multi-award-winning Chris Cox – The Mentalist  – has performed

Rumor Has It

Is First Baptist Church controlling Downtown development?  Words by Ambar Ramirez It’s one of the oldest and largest Baptist congregations in Jacksonville. And probably one of the most influential. Whether you were born and raised in Jacksonville or moved to this bold city in recent years, chances are you know

Party in the Front and the Back: Inside Jacksonville PorchFest

Words by Carmen Macri Jacksonville’s one-of-a-kind festival returns for its 10th anniversary, bringing live music, art and local vendors to the historic porches of Springfield Nov. 9.  For some backstory; Elizabeth Augustus, a San Marco resident, attended her first porch festival while visiting upstate New York, the origin

Humans of Jacksonville: Gunnel Humphreys

Words & photos by Ambar Ramirez If you’ve heard of Edge City, you’ve likely heard of Gunnel Humphreys. For 50 years, Humphreys’ daily routine was familiar and consistent. Her mornings began at 6 a.m., and after breakfast and a quick outfit change, she and her partner Tom would hop

Downtown we will rock you with THE ULTIMATE QUEEN CELEBRATION

This Friday (10/18), Jacksonville rock fans are going to get a special treat.  THE ULTIMATE QUEEN CELEBRATION is coming to our city for one performance only.  This is not a typical tribute or impersonation show, nor is it a story about Freddy Mercury and the original group.  This is a
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

Jacksonville Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Words by Teresa Spencer This fun spooky pub crawl tour

Meet Motes Militia

“In the water, we’re all equal.” Words & photos by