'Romeo & Juliet'

'Romeo & Juliet'

Ohio Wesleyan to Present Reimagined Version of Classic Shakespeare Play March 26-28

DELAWARE, Ohio- Ohio Wesleyan University's Department of Performing Arts will put a spectral spin on William Shakespeare's classic "Romeo & Juliet" in three performances beginning March 26.

"The story of Romeo and Juliet has been told for centuries, but this production explores its aftermath, where the dead try to overcome fate, and where memory is the only way of fighting a never-ending cycle of hate," said OWU student Pedro Figueiredo, who is directing the play.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 26-28 in the Studio Theatre of Ohio Wesleyan's Chappelear Drama Center, 45 Rowland Ave., Delaware. The show is a senior capstone production for Figueiredo and Kaya Ferrell.

"We are really leaning into the timelessness of it all," Figueiredo continued, "so audiences shouldn't expect traditional Shakespearean costumes or aesthetics. This is a memory play that unfolds through old photographs and videos. Here, all characters exist as ghosts, and we navigate through their memories."

The play contains adult themes and is not recommended for young children. Tickets are free for everyone at Romeo&JulietOWU. For more information, visit the website or call the box office at (740) 368-3855.

For more information about OWU's 2025-2026 performance schedule or about studying Theatre and Dance at Ohio Wesleyan, visit owu.edu/PerformingArts.

Cast (In Order of Appearance)

• Gillian Murray, a senior from Fairfield, Ohio, as Mercutio
• Tatyana Poland, a first-year student from Long Island, New York, as Pietro/Apothecary
• Abby Colbow, a junior from Mentor, Ohio, as Abramo/Servant
• El Healey, a junior from Westlake, Ohio, as Benvolio
• Chloe McGee, a first-year student from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as Tybalt
• Max Baker, a senior from Santa Monica, California, as Romeo
• Murali Mohanty, a senior from Holland, Ohio, as Lady Capulet
• Lux Proctor, a first-year student from Mayfield Heights, Ohio, as Nurse
• Kaya Ferrell, a senior from Delaware, Ohio, as Juliet
• Lucy Whetzel, a junior from Warren, Ohio, as Friar Laurence

Crew (By Group)

• Pedro Figueiredo, a senior from Salvador, Brazil - director, set designer, and film head
• Kaya Ferrell, a senior from Delaware, Ohio - fight choreographer
• Beau Salter, a first-year student from Lyndhurst, Ohio - stage manager, sound designer
• Gio Gooden, a first-year student from Columbus, Ohio - assistant stage manager
• Caleb Gunn - a junior from Galion, Ohio - assistant stage manager, light crew, and film crew
• Carrie Hurst, OWU faculty member - technical director
• Lusie Cuskey, OWU faculty member - intimacy choreographer
• Bradford Sadler, OWU faculty member - project advisor
• Nicholas Laurence, a senior from Medina, Ohio - lighting designer
• Icarus Rodriguez, a first-year student from Columbus, Ohio - light crew
• Sam Ehrlich, a first-year student from West Chester, Pennsylvania - light crew
• Michael Flonnoy, a first-year student from Solon, Ohio - light crew
• Madz Klinger, a junior from Wickliffe, Ohio - make-up crew head
• Parker Olukalns, a sophomore from Lexington, Kentucky - props crew head
• Gunnar Blubaugh, a junior from Columbus, Ohio - props crew
• Gabe Torres, a sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio - props crew
• Rio Obenauf, a sophomore from Columbus, Ohio - costume designer
• Silas Grey-Miller, a first-year student from Columbus, Ohio - costume crew
• Katie Davis, a senior from Bryan, Ohio - costume crew
• Clara Thompson, a junior from Delaware, Ohio - sound board operator
• Araceli Allo, a junior from Mburucuya, Paraguay - DJ/remixer
• Bailey Davis, a sophomore from Fairport Harbor, Ohio - film crew and publicity crew
• Emma Mohns, a first-year student from Stratham, New Hampshire - film crew
• Samara Clarke, a junior from Columbus, Ohio - publicity crew

Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.