Charlotte Tilley ‘26

STAFF WRITER

English teacher James Foster has recently taken over as the director for the Unionville High School Fall Play. This year, the play is a contemporary take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, picking lines from the original text but including modern music and costumes. The cast and crew are thrilled to be a part of this innovative show. Sophomore Vivian Skidd says she “can’t wait to get to work,” and the other castmates seem to agree. Senior Lilah Brennan, cast as Juliet, is “so excited to be starting something new.” Many new faces have brought fresh talent and new life to the group, and the play is coming along well, with costumes, scenes and acting gradually developing. While still in the early phases, this cast shows great promise for a fantastic show in November.

To Foster, though, this opportunity is more than just a show. He is looking to create a true community among cast and crew and to build an environment that allows every member of the theater to thrive. He says he wants to create “a company that is a company. Every student should feel proud of being involved in this.” Actors are excited to see what the change to a more unified, tightly-knit company of cast and crew will look like. Foster says that, additionally, he would like to help each actor grow individually, as both people and performers. Those who have been to rehearsals so far can attest to the energy he brings to practice; every day is exciting, new, and more welcoming than ever before. Everyone should make sure to support the play in November and watch the creative take on Romeo and Juliet come to life.