Romeo and Juliet Comes to the Commons

On February 24, 280 Xavier freshmen began the day with a fantastic primer for their upcoming study of Shakespeare—a professional production of Romeo and Juliet in the Commons, using mostly uncut text.

Shakespeare in the Square, a group of young New York University Tisch School of the Arts graduates who perform the works of the Bard without elaborate sets or lighting, hosted the educational workshop for freshmen. While it was the first time the group has visited 16th Street, the actors used the Commons space masterfully, English teacher Mary Grace Gannon said.

"The actors were very good at engaging students in the performance,” said Ms. Gannon, who coordinated the event. “They were vibrant and energetic. They had the students on their feet.”

Freshmen will read Romeo and Juliet (the first play in their annual Shakespeare studies) later this year, but Ms. Gannon said they already understand a great deal about the Bard thanks to the Shakespeare in the Square workshop—and now some students want to learn even more.

"I thought the production was put together very well," said Max Rohrbacher '18. "It sparked me to read Macbeth next."

Ms. Gannon offered her thanks to administrators, staff, members of the maintenance team, and students in the stage crew for helping to coordinate a wonderful event. The actors who visited 16th Street were equally grateful for the opportunity to share their passion with students.

“It's extremely important to expose youth to art, because art is how we express ourselves,” said Chris Dooly, who played Paris. “Working with educational institutions can have a major impact on the individual growth of our youth.”