Joint production: Mansfield Shakespeare Co. joins forces for show at OSU-Mansfield

MANSFIELD — So you think you know Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet?”

Not so fast. The version coming up this weekend at the Ohio State University-Mansfield campus is not exactly what you read in high school.

“This is not your English teacher’s Shakespeare,” said Victoria O’Brien, who is directing the show staged as a joint project of the campus theater program and the Mansfield Shakespeare Company.

“You will laugh out loud and you might be surprised at how relatable these characters are,” she said.

“Who among us doesn’t remember the intensity and impulsivity of their first love? It’s not just a love story — it’s a story about the strength of friendship, the strain of family ties, and the mistakes we make along the way of trying to do what we think is right,” O’Brien said.

The show, part of the final production for the 2024-2025 OSU-Mansfield series, consists of actors from the student body, faculty and local actors.

O’Brien credited Joe Fahey, the show’s producer and OSU-Mansfield professor of theater, for giving her the opportunity to direct the show.

“The actors and the crew have been working diligently to bring their own energy and interpretations to this classic text,” she said.

“We have a diverse level of experience in this cast. Some are newbies to the stage and others are veterans. I think the actors have been able to learn from one another and sharpen each other’s skills,” she said.

(Below are submitted photos from rehearsals of “Romeo and Juliet” at The Ohio State University-Mansfield campus. The story continues below the photos.)

Alayna Rickly, a sophomore fashion retail studies major from Ontario, portrays Juliet in her fourth play at OSU-Mansfield.

She said this production is a new take on the classic written in the late 16th century.

“I love Juliet. She has a lot of layers and dynamics to her character. She has a lot of big emotions and I love getting to explore that,” Rickly said, admitting harder emotions are tougher to portray.

“Bringing big feelings to the stage can be a lot as an actor, but I enjoy the challenge,” she said.

Freshman aviation major Javier Villalon Lopez is Romeo, working in his second play at the campus.

“I like the goofy relationship Romeo has with Benvolio and Mercutio. It’s fun to play on stage,” the Willard resident said. “I’m really excited for the show and for people to see it.”

Lopez said juggling work and school with a stage play can be difficult.

“Stepping into the role has been a challenge, but a fun one,” he said.

Social work major Jeff Hutchison, in his sixth show at OSU-Mansfield, said playing the character of Tybalt has given him a chance “to be the bad guy for once.”

“I have enjoyed learning the nuances of the character and things I had to switch to change from myself to him,” he said.

Hutchison said he broke his foot and had to re-learn all of his fight scenes in a week.

“It has been a challenge for sure,” he said. “The cast and crew has been very supportive through all these changes.”

Fahey said “Romeo and Juliet” has become a natural part of contemporary culture.

“This play also has a great story, and we have a great 21-member cast who will be ready on opening night,” he said.

Some of the challenges with this play include fight scenes, Renaissance-era language and scenes of intimacy and death.

“All plays present their own challenges and this one is no different, but we have a talented group of artists who are exploring this beautiful language, challenging themselves and bringing their own rich insights to the rehearsal process,” Fahey said.

All performances will be inside Founders Auditorium at OSU-Mansfield, located on the first floor of Ovalwood Hall, 1680 University Drive.