Warren High stages ambitious outdoor Romeo and Juliet
Photo courtesy Kyle Deichman
DOWNEY — The Warren High School Drama Department is an ambitious one.
Two weeks after presenting its successful production of the Tony Award-winning Cole Porter musical *Anything Goes*, the department staged William Shakespeare's classic tragedy *Romeo and Juliet* outdoors on the grass. The production was performed on a beautiful 19-by-22-foot stage strategically placed between two perfectly positioned trees that bookended the performance space.
That is a very short turnaround.
This isn't something that is easy to pull off, but they do it.
All Downey Unified students read *Romeo and Juliet* in the ninth grade, so many students were already familiar with the story. Even so, there were audible gasps from the audience as the tragedy unfolded.
Drama teacher Kyle Diechman was responsible for directing and production design. Diechman continues to create opportunities for his actors by utilizing a double-cast system.
Written between 1591 and 1595, *Romeo and Juliet* tells the story of two star-crossed young lovers from feuding Italian families who meet and fall secretly in love in Verona. Their forbidden romance leads them to marry in secret with the help of Friar Laurence, who hopes their union will bring peace between their families. Instead, family hatred, violent duels and tragic misunderstandings threaten to destroy their bond. It has become the archetypal story of young love and remains one of Shakespeare's most frequently performed plays.
After gatecrashing a Capulet ball, Romeo meets Juliet, and they instantly fall in love, unaware of their families' rivalry. With the help of Friar Laurence, they marry in secret the next day. Tensions escalate when Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, kills Romeo's friend Mercutio. In a rage, Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished from Verona. To avoid marrying Count Paris, Juliet fakes her death with a sleeping potion. However, Romeo never receives the message explaining the plan. Believing Juliet is truly dead, he takes his own life at her tomb. Juliet awakens, finds Romeo dead, and takes her own life. Their grieving families finally agree to peace.
I have watched many of these young actors over the last four years. They are not professional actors, but I have seen growth in all of them.
Italy Pinedo was perfectly cast as Juliet. These young lovers are only 14 years old, and Pinedo captured both the beauty of Shakespeare's language and the emotional depth of the character, particularly in her monologues. She was radiant in the role, creating a Juliet we genuinely cared about.
Ryan Chalhoub, as Romeo, continues to demonstrate tremendous potential as an actor.
Justin Edwards' Friar Laurence was a favorite. He skillfully guided the audience through the story and the fateful plan that ultimately leads to tragedy.
Analisse Campos was outstanding as the Nurse. She was vibrant, humorous and brought tremendous energy to the production.
Logan Figueroa excelled as the high-spirited Mercutio and was perfectly paired with Isabelle Williams as Benvolio. Their occasional antics, including playful slaps upside the head, effectively demonstrated the friendship and camaraderie between the characters.
Tybalt is a pivotal role, and Brianna Belinda Salomon-Fernandez delivered a strong performance.
Yareth Alanis was regal as the Prince, opening the story and bringing it to its tragic conclusion.
Theater is collaboration, and Diechman recruited a remarkable team to support the production.
Warren CTE Construction Technology teacher Jairo Salazar and his students dismantled the set from *Anything Goes* and repurposed the materials to create a professional outdoor stage and backdrop.
Warren art teacher William Russell and his students painted the stage, creating the appearance of planked flooring.
Warren CTE Film and Video teacher Jared Nelson and his students constructed a professional truss lighting system that supported the production's lighting equipment. They also designed the audio system used for the actors' wireless microphones.
Emi Ibarra operated the lighting during the performance. As the sun set, the lights added a beautiful warmth to the atmosphere.
Keanna Wills served as sound board operator.
Jada Zepeda and Aneschka Bolanos were the stage managers.
Downey Unified VAPA Coordinator Russ Heinke provided the generator that supplied electricity for the outdoor production.
Audience members were seated in approximately 150 chairs provided by the school, while many others brought lawn chairs and blankets. The result was a festive and successful evening of Shakespeare under the stars.
It was also great to see the ever-supportive Downey Unified board member Nancy Swenson and former board member and historian Donald LaPlante in attendance.
Give yourself a treat and stream Franco Zeffirelli's definitive 1968 film version of *Romeo and Juliet*. It remains a beautiful, lavish production, and the language is remarkably clear.