Cunha students prepare to perform “Romeo and Juliet” Friday night

It’s one of those rare sunny Saturdays in Half Moon Bay, but the students of Mr. Ward’s drama class at Cunha Middle School are still in school. About twenty 7th and 8th graders are scattered around the multi-purpose room putting the finishing touches on costumes and set designs for their performance of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. 

"By the end of next week, over 1,500 people will have seen our performance" says Mr. Ward, the play’s director and teacher of the drama group at Cunha. All this week these students will travel to local schools (Hatch, Farallone View) giving multiple performances of bring Shakespeare to younger kids.

This particular version, "Romeo and Juliet for young people" was specifically written to be understood and enjoyed by younger audiences.  While the play stays true to the original words of Shakespeare, additional staging and descriptions help further bring the story to life. Two announcers are added to introduce scenes and explain difficult passages, making it easier for audiences to keep up with the dialog.

Much to the excitement of the young Capulets and Montagues-in-training, a professional fight choreographer was brought in to help stage the intricate sword play required in the first scene.  Dexter Fidler, whose 20 years of experience spans from the San Francisco Ballet’s staging of Romeo and Juliet to artistic director for the Peninsula Youth Theater, spent about two hours this weekend, walking the kids through the parries and thrusts that make for realistic sword play.  "This is a truly challenging play, especially for this age group, and I’m very impressed with the energy the Cunha drama team is putting into this play", said Dexter.

Many of the students are already tenured actors, having preformed in local and state theatre groups.  Assistant director, 8th grader Ben Romsdahl, has spent 2 years with the Young Actors’ Workshop and has performed in 2 plays before "Romeo and Juliet". "I really like being able to help the other kids with staging and their parts.  Besides, it’s just fun to be able to hang out with my friends while working on the play."  Seventh grader Morgana Bowman, another seasoned performer, is also a member of the Young Actors’ Workshop, and started her career at the tender age of 4 in a production of "Snow White". Morgana said, "Being in this play has been a great experience.  I love acting and I also get to spend more time with my friends!" 

Among the veterans there are many first-time actors in this years production. Victoria Ortiz, a 7th grader in the role of "Princess of Verona" has showcased her singing talents in the Farallone View talent show, but his is her first acting gig.  "I’m really glad to finally be able to expand my experience to acting from just singing in local shows.  In some ways, singing is more difficult because you’re alone and everyone is focused just on you.  With acting you get to work with a whole group. If anyone makes a mistake, the others can just keep the play moving along.  It teaches you to really depend on your friends."

Click on any of the pictures to the right for our album showing all the Cunha students getting ready for this exciting adventure.  There will be a final performance of the play for the community this Friday, April 22nd at 7pm in the Cunha Multi Use room.  Tickets are $5.00 for Adults and $4.00 for children/students.