Acting Out! presents updated 'Romeo and Juliet'

After a delay of two years, the Jackson theater group Acting Out! is finally bringing its first production to the stage.

Joseph Graefe as Montague, bottom left, and Arthur Wilhite as Apothecary protest as secret service members Sampson, portrayed by Tyler Myers top right, and Gregory portrayed by Kurt McDowell watch during the Acting Out! rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet, Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at the Jackson City Park bandshell. (Laura Simon)

"It's taken two years to do everything associated with putting on a play," said Kasey Cox, artistic director and founder of Acting Out! "A production involves money, and the group has sold T-shirts, cookie dough and ad space in the programs to raise funds for lighting, props and other things. But we're ready to give a great performance of 'Romeo and Juliet.'"

The performance, an updated version of William Shakespeare's classic, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the bandshell in Jackson City Park. The production involves 25 actors who range from high-school students to students in the theater department at Southeast Missouri State University. The final dress rehearsal was Wednesday evening. Cox said the costumes and fight scene with swords during rehearsals had been "excellent."

"I think a lot of people will leave talking about the sword scene," she said.

According to Cox, the updated version of "Romeo and Juliet" will present the Capulets as a political family and the Montagues as a "protester" family.

Juliet, portrayed by Abby Ritter, stands on her balcony as Romeo, portrayed by Adam Wilson, sits below during the Acting Out! rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet, Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at the Jackson City Park bandshell. (Laura Simon)

"Romeo isn't particularly interested in protesting anything," she said. "Juliet is the perfect daughter of the political family who is interested in gaining her parents' favor. But the love story and ultimate tragedy is a constant in any version of the play, and it will be presented."

The actors who portray the central characters of Romeo and Juliet are both in high school. Abby Ritter, who plays Juliet, is a senior at Notre Dame Regional High School.

"A lot of people think of Juliet as an airhead," Ritter said. "As I've worked on the part, I've tried to make her more realistic and aware of things going on around her. I want her to be a person that someone can relate with."

Adam Wilson, who will be portraying Romeo, is a junior at Jackson High School.

"I think the audience will notice that Romeo is a bit like a typical teenager at the beginning," Wilson said. "He's mainly concerned with himself. But as the play goes on, he matures and branches out."

According to Wilson, he was the only student at Jackson High School who auditioned for the role of Romeo.

Nick Henderson, assistant director and fight coordinator, middle, demonstrates a move to Nic Tayborn, left, and Matthew Pirtle before a rehearsal of the the Acting Out! production of Romeo and Juliet Wednesday, June 19, at the Jackson City Park Band Dome. Henderson portrays Mercutio in the production while Pirtle plays Tybalt. (Adam Vogler)

"I don't think anyone else noticed the flyers at school," he said. "But I'm enjoying and loving this. There's good chemistry between Abby and myself."

The character of Mercutio, a friend of Romeo and the Montague family, will be portrayed by Nic Tayborn, a junior theater major at Southeast.

"I'm neither a Montague or a Capulet, but my best friends are Montagues so I side with them," Tayborn said. "I'm kind of the jokester in the group, but I have a sword fight with Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, that I didn't start but I darn sure try to finish."

Acting Out!'s production of "Romeo and Juliet" is free of charge and the audience is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic meals to the performance. No glass bottles are allowed in the park. For more information, contact Kasey Cox at 382-0630 or email kaseyacox@gmail.com.

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Nic Tayborn, left, and Matthew Pirtle before a rehearsal of the the Acting Out! production of Romeo and Juliet Wednesday, June 19, at the Jackson City Park Band Dome. Henderson portrays Mercutio in the production while Pirtle plays Tybalt. (Adam Vogler)

Matthew Pirtle, left, and Nic Tayborn go over a fight scene before a rehearsal of the the Acting Out! production of Romeo and Juliet Wednesday, June 19, at the Jackson City Park Band Dome. Henderson portrays Mercutio in the production while Pirtle plays Tybalt. (Adam Vogler)

Jackson City Park, Jackson, Mo.