r+j (essentialized)

by William Shakespeare, Catharine Slusar, and the students of Bryn Mawr College
directed by Catharine Slusar
produced by Bryn Mawr College

Scenic and Lighting by Thom Weaver
Sound by Jordan McCree

I have a real love for devising in general, but particularly with students. This design was truly built in collaboration with the students at Bryn Mawr College, where I developed entirely new processes as we told the story of r+j — beginning with the discovery of juliet(s) in the tomb, and ending with the full ensemble falling in love at the capulet’s party, aka a deconstructed high school prom. I hosted a workshop where students designed their own face masks for the party scene, using materials that followed the same basic guidelines/parameters as the rest of the design choices, with my full permission to explore and craft accordingly. It was deeply moving to watch them remove their masks and kiss onstage as the lights came down — as these students did not themselves experience their own high school proms due to COVID. What a joy to help facilitate their work in this way.