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Touring Production of ROMEO & JULIET Asolo Repertory Theatre Presents an FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training

Posted: September 4 / 2019

 

Asolo Rep proudly presents an FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training touring production of one of the greatest love stories of all time: William Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET. This fresh and fast 45-minute adaptation will be adapted and directed by Tyler Dobrowsky, who streamlined past touring production of The Tempest and Julius Caesar. The 10th annual educational touring production will travel to schools and community venues throughout the state of Florida from September 24 through November 24. There will also be a special performance for educators and press on Friday, September 27 at 6pm in the Cook Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. 

A poetic testament to the power of young love, ROMEO & JULIET's themes of family loyalty and social divide remain deeply poignant today. Set in a contemporary classroom, this production of ROMEO & JULIET will inspire students to see how the actions of Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt, and Mercutio fit into their world. With sentiments that push the boundaries of words, ROMEO & JULIET invites students and educators to come together to laugh, cry, fight, learn, and choose a side in a society where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. 

“Now, more than ever, it is essential for the next generation of artists, policy makers, educators – global citizens – to understand the power and magic of live theatre,” said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “The brilliant Tyler Dobrowsky has the unique ability to make Shakespeare feel urgent, relevant and accessible for everyone. We are thrilled for thousands of students and community members to experience this universal tale of love, loss and revenge in a brand new way.” 

Tyler Dobrowsky is the Associate Artistic Director at Trinity Rep, where he has been a member of the education, literary, community engagement and artistic teams since 2003. He oversees Trinity Rep’s new play development initiatives, where he has commissioned writers including George Brant, Charise Castro-Smith, Jackie Sibblies Drury and Lauren Yee, as well as The New York Times best-seller, The Prince of Providence by Mike Stanton. He founded Trinity Rep’s summer program for children, the Young Actors Summer Institute (YASI), and, in partnership with Rhode Island Latino Arts, created Teatro en el Verano, the theater’s free, mobile, bilingual summer series. In addition to his productions at Trinity Rep, his work has also been seen at Elemental Theatre, Gamm Theatre, PlayMakers/UNC, The Public Theater and more. 

“I’m setting the play in a modern-day classroom not just to provide an easily accessible entry point for students but also to capture the thrill and importance of being introduced to Shakespeare — and theatre in general — as a young person," said Adapter/Director

Tyler Dobrowsky. "When I was a kid, theatre felt like magic, like fun, and I’m so grateful for the teachers who taught me that. I hope in some way this production can show students how transporting theatre can be.” 

Third-year FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training students make up the acting company for the touring production. The FSU/Asolo Conservatory is a three-year Master of Fine Arts graduate degree program that has consistently been named one of the top 10 actor training programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report. During the third year of their training, following the completion of the tour, Conservatory students join Asolo Rep's professional company of actors and perform in Asolo Rep's mainstage season. 

Last season's touring production of The Tempest was experienced by more than 13,000 students and community members. Performances of ROMEO & JULIET will include a post-show discussion with the cast, and school performances will be supplemented with study guides, suggested activities, and other behind-the-scenes material to engage students before and after the performance. 

CAST 

(In Alphabetical Order) 

  • Jillian Cicalese....................................Juliet 
  • Carla Corvo+..........................Lady Capulet 
  • Joe Ferrarelli....................Tybalt/Balthasar 
  • Jonathan Grunert........................Mercutio 
  • Michael Judah..............................Romeo 
  • Alex Pelletier.........................Nurse/Prince 
  • +Appears courtesy of Actors' Equity Association 

CREATIVE TEAM 

  • Adapter/Director...........................Tyler Dobrowsky 
  • Fight Choreographer.........................Mark A. Rose
  • Set/Prop Designer...............................Frank J Paul 
  • Costume Designer............................. Olivera Gajic 

ABOUT TYLER DOBROWSKY 

TYLER DOBROWSKY (Adapter/Director) is thrilled to make his directorial debut at Asolo Rep. He has previously adapted the past touring productions of The Tempest and Julius Caesar for Asolo Rep and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. He is the Associate Artistic Director at Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, RI, where he has directed Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Breeches! (world premiere), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Julius Caesar among others. He has worked at a number of other theaters around the country, including ART, Play Makers/UNC, and the Public Theater in New York. Mr. Dobrowsky has taught at NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts, Rhode Island College and the Brown/Trinity MFA program. 

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PERFORMANCES 

October 17 at 8pm 
The Glenridge Performing Arts Center 
7333 Scotland Way Sarasota, FL 34238 


Tickets

 

November 8, 7pm Weekend College @ State College of Florida at Lakewood Ranch 7131 Professional Parkway East, Lakewood Ranch 941.363.7000

 

Tickets

 

November 13 at 8pm Florida Theatre Conference at Santa Fe College 3000 NW 83 Street, Gainesville 727.544.8915

 

Tickets

 

November 17 3pm entry; 3:30pm performance Shakespeare in Nature at Bay Preserve 400 Palmetto Avenue, Osprey Reservations required: 941.918.2100 

 

Tickets

 

Please contact each venue for reservations and more information. Current as of 9/4/19; for current listings 

Visit

 

SPONSORS 

The 2019 Tour is made possible by Youth and Families Lead Sponsor Community Foundation of Sarasota County; Publix Super Markets Charities; Charles Henry Leach II Fund; Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation; Linnie E. Dalbeck Memorial Foundation Trust; Cordelia Lee Beattie Foundation; Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild; Andrew R. Ferrell Foundation; The Huisking Foundation; Plantation Community Foundation, and the State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. 

ABOUT ASOLO REP 

Now in its 61st season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep’s highly skilled acting company and extensive craftsmanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. Asolo Rep presents up to 10 productions each season including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings and ground-breaking education and community programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations. www.asolorep.org