The Shakespeare Project was established in 2017 to enhance the understanding of performing arts and literature by presenting free, professional productions of classic works, including Shakespeare.
Thanks to community support and grant funding from the Alabama Humanities Alliance and The Ayers Foundation, this project has now grown to include teacher training, camps, resource guides for our educators and students, workshops for classrooms, apprenticeships for high school and college students interested in technical theatre and performing arts, and FREE performances with professional actors.
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Twelfth Night (2025) | Program
Emily Duncan
This performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night was adapted and directed by Emily Duncan, with Carmine DiBiase as Dramaturg. The cast features:
- Viola/Cesario: Eleanor Boozer
- Orsino: Christian Watts
- Sir Toby: Forrest Hinton
- Maria: Jennie Wall
- Feste: Jason Wright
- Malvolio: Trevor McMullen
- Olivia: Tea Wilson
- Sir Andrew: Ian Johnson
- Sebastian: Dylan Hurst
- Antonio: Laurellei Veasey
- Valentine: Semaje Newton
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2022 Lesson Plan | The Play Is the Thing
Christian Watts, Samantha Drake, Bridgett Rayburn, Allison Carroll, Megan Brightwell, and Ellie Boozer
The most important part of studying Shakespeare is infusing meaning into the text. These activities will help you get Shakespeare on its feet and remove Shakes"fear" from your students.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | A Plague
Emily Duncan
Mercutio (Darryl Jones) declares a plague on the Capulets and Montagues (Nardge Francois & Christian Watts).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Apothecary
Emily Duncan
Romeo (Nardge Francois) pleas with the Apothocary (Cheyenne Oliver) for a remedy.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Benvolio & Mercutio
Emily Duncan
Mercutio (Darryl Jones) and Benvolio (Christian Watts) discuss Romeo's behavior.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Benvolio's Courage
Emily Duncan
Benvolio (Christian Watts) attempts to stop the fight between Mercutio (Darryl Jones) and Tybalt (Cheslee Duke), as Paris (Cheyenne Oliver) watches.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Capulets
Emily Duncan
The nurse (Bridgett Rayburn) defends Juliet (Kenli Doss) from Lady Capulet (Cheslee Duke).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Cheek Upon Her Hand
Emily Duncan
Romeo (Nardge Francois) observes Juliet (Kenli Doss) through the window.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Ending
Emily Duncan
Lady Capulet (Cheslee Duke), Paris (Cheyenne Oliver) and Benvolio (Christian Watts) discover the fate of the star-crossed lovers (Kenli Doss & Nardge Francois) as the Prince (Bridgett Rayburn and Friar (Darryl Jones) witness.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Fight
Emily Duncan
Mercutio (Darryl Jones) and Tybalt (Cheslee Duke) brawl, as Paris (Cheyenne Oliver), Romeo (Nardge Francois) and Benvolio (Christian Watts) look on.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Fight (Image 2)
Emily Duncan
A fight breaks out between the Capulets (Cheslee Duke & Cheyenne Oliver) and the Montagues (Darryl Jones & Christian Watts).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Friar's Cell
Emily Duncan
Friar Laurence (Darryl Jones) advises Romeo (Nardge Francois).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Juliet
Emily Duncan
The Nurse (Bridgett Rayburn) tells Juliet (Kenli Doss) of the day's events.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Juliet and Her Nurse
Emily Duncan
The Nurse (Bridgett Rayburn) reminisces with Juliet (Kenli Doss).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Juliet's Chamber
Emily Duncan
Romeo (Nardge Francois) describes his love for Juliet (Kenli Doss).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Lady Capulet
Emily Duncan
Lady Capulet (Cheslee Duke) speaks sternly to Juliet (Kenli Doss) as the Nurse (Bridgett Rayburn) watches.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Love at First Sight
Emily Duncan
Romeo (Nardge Francois) asks Benvolio (Christian Watts) about Juliet (Kenli Doss) at the Capulet Party, as Juliet dances with the Nurse (Bridgett Rayburn) and Paris (Cheyenne Oliver) talks to Tybalt (Cheslee Duke).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Montague & Capulet
Emily Duncan
Mercutio (Darryl Jones) and Tybalt (Cheslee Duke) fight, as Benvolio (Christian Watts) watches and the Prince (Bridgett Rayburn) approaches.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Nurse
Emily Duncan
The Nurse (Bridgett Rayburn) warns Romeo (Nardge Francois).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Nurse's Story
Emily Duncan
Lady Capulet (Cheslee Duke) and Juliet (Kenli Doss) hear a story from the nurse (Bridgett Rayburn).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Paris
Emily Duncan
Juliet (Kenli Doss) refuses Paris' (Cheyenne Oliver) advances.
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Performance Video
Karl Hawkins
This performance of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet was adapted and directed by Karl Hawkins, with Carmine DiBiase as Dramaturg. The cast features:
- Juliet: Kenli Doss
- Romeo: Nardge Francois
- Benvolio: Christian Watts
- Tybalt/Lady Capulet: Cheslee Duke
- Paris: Cheyenne Oliver
- Mercutio/Friar Laurence: Darryl Jones
- Prince/Nurse: Bridgett Rayburn
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Romeo, Benvolio & Mercutio
Emily Duncan
Mercutio (Darryl Jones) describes Romeo's (Nardge Francois) love to Benvolio (Christian Watts).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Romeo & Juliet (Image 1)
Emily Duncan
Romeo (Nardge Francois) swears his love for Juliet (Kenli Doss).
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Romeo & Juliet (2022) | Romeo & Juliet (Image 2)
Emily Duncan
Romeo (Nardge Francois) celebrates his new found love, Juliet (Kenli Doss).