Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to offer three famous Romeo and Juliet monologues
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training (the Conservatory) “will bring William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet into your home on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube,” the two organizations have announced.
The world-renowned play was set to premiere at Selby Gardens this April, a news release notes. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, “the highly anticipated outdoor theatre event, Shakespeare in the Gardens, was canceled,” the release adds. Nonetheless, “In a collaborative effort with the Conservatory to Bring Selby Gardens to You,” three monologues from the play will be shared, the release points out.
“We are happy that we can still showcase the amazing work of the students in the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training program, as well as share a taste of this unforgettable play with everyone,” said Jennifer Rominiecki, Selby Gardens’ president and CEO, in the release.
“The story of Romeo and Juliet centers around two star-crossed lovers, who are more in love than they knew was possible,” the release explains. “Their love is ultimately undone by the unyielding feud of their families,” it adds.
Conservatory students will appear in three well known Romeo and Juliet monologues, including, Romeo’s He jests at scars that never felt a wound, Juliet’s Oh, Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?, and Mercutio’s Oh, then I see Queen Mab hath been with you. The excerpts were directed by Jonathan Epstein at Selby Gardens, within the Native Florida section, the release notes.
“Canceling Romeo and Juliet was a big loss for our students, but having them present just a tiny sampling of their work this way is a wonderful celebration of the collaboration between Selby Gardens and the Conservatory,” noted Gregory Leaming, director of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, in the release.
“Shakespeare’s works are a mandatory part of the Conservatory students’ education, and Shakespeare in the Gardens provides them the chance to work in an outdoor theatre and in the round,” the release explains. This season’s show marks the fourth year of collaboration between the Gardens and the Conservatory.