After a successful audition and nearly five months of practice, the Fluvanna County Drama Department is cast and set to perform their version of Romeo and Juliet on April 17-19 in the Fluvanna County High School auditorium.  In rehearsal, the cast rolls through their lines fluidly, with professional, theatrical vigor.  But the polished execution that Fluvanna’s most talented thespians present on the main stage on the night of the premier won’t come without countless hours of verbal and mental preparation.

At auditions held in late November, potential cast members were given three monologues—one for Romeo, one for Juliet, and one for “chorus.”  After three days of nerve-racking performances, the cast was chosen.

Next up, the actors and actresses began weeks of four-days-a-week rehearsals leading up to the night of the premier.  “Mr. [Craig] Edgerton expects us to show up to rehearsal with our lines completely memorized,” said senior Darien Tinsley, who plays Capulet, Juliet’s aggressive father.  The cast has spent most of their time together practicing large group scenes that require direct interaction between the characters.  “Practice is long, but we use our time very wisely,” said Tinsley.

Spending a lot of time together has made the Drama team a very close bunch.  Of course, high-stress and an impending deadline can make things strained.  “We’re all pretty close knit, but things can get pretty gritty close to production,” said junior Zach Dobrin, who plays Romeo.  However, as a general rule, the air on stage and in the theater room is friendly and forgiving.  “We all love each other like family,” said Tinsley, who is in his first year of Drama.  “Everyone has been very welcoming.”

Even when the actors and actresses are not attending scheduled rehearsals, they make the most of their down time, getting to know their roles and practicing their lines—a practice that is made all the more important when performing a Shakespearean play rich with antiquated language.  “I watch a lot of movies and study other actors and what they do to play the part,” said Dobrin.  Senior Jamie Hall, Dobrin’s co-star who plays Juliet, agrees.  “I spend a lot of time reading through my lines, and being able to watch a character in a movie helps a lot,” she said. 

The goal of rehearsal and solo practicing is to adopt the personality of the character being played.  “The hardest part about acting comes at that moment when it’s your line, it’s your turn that’s about to come up.  It’s your first impression, and you have to make it count,” said Tinsley.  Student actors continue to note the difficulty of getting their Elizabethan lines right, but by the night of the premier, the relationships among cast members will serve as a great foundation of support.

Fluvanna County’s Drama Department has proven their merit among local audiences and as an award-winning program throughout the state.  But witnessing their hard work and dedication is bound to wow viewers even more.  Find out for yourself by attending the play April 17-19. Performances will be held at the Fluvanna County High School Auditorium at 7:00 pm on April 17 and 18, and at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm on April 19.  Tickets at the door cost $10 for adults and $7 for students.  Advance tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for students, and can be purchased at the Lake Pharmacy, Lauterbach Chiropractic, Cuppa Joe, and Mailbox Express.