Inspired to work with her students on a classic tale, Friday Harbor High School theater teacher Lindsey Saarie is directing William Shakespeare’s well-known tragedy, ”Romeo and Juliet.” The high school theater group will be performing at the San Juan Community Theatre from Jan. 16-19.

“I wanted to give them the opportunity to do some Shakespeare – ‘Romeo and Juliet’ specifically because it’s about a feuding family. We are in a very divisive, split world right now, especially with the election,” Saarie said. “Being able to have those conversations without just telling someone they are wrong and that’s it, but being able to have conversations, dialogues and listen when you don’t agree rather than just writing people off because they think differently than you.”

While many expressed early experiences with Shakespeare as a struggle to understand his language, the students told the Journal they have enjoyed taking a stroll in fair Verona and delving into Shakespeare.

“A lot of themes in Shakespeare are timeless. I find the characters so human, so complex,” Kira Clark, who plays Juliet, said. Clark also noted the age of her character; Juliet is only 13 when she falls in love with Romeo.

“She is very outward with her emotions,” Clark explained, adding that that is a different quality than her own. “When I’m playing her, I have to let loose a little bit, allow myself to be more childlike, and recall things from when I was 12 or 13. A lot of people can relate to when they were that age and how she is.”

Jax Heath plays Romeo, another emotional character. “I think he is very loud and dramatic about everything but straightforward. He sees the first thing at hand and he knows what he likes,” Heath said. “I feel like a lot of other productions really show how heartfelt he is during the dramatic scenes. I hope that I can somehow put the right emotions into it without being over the top.”

Heath and Clark both agree the emotional aspects of their characters fuel the fire that leads to the tragedy, but the role of the parents can not be overlooked.

“They probably get it from their parents,” Heath pointed out. Clark added that the fuel of the parent’s hatred is truly what is behind the disaster.

Malia Fearn plays Lord Capulet. “I wouldn’t say I’m like a large old man with a big voice and anger issues,” Fearn said as her castmates laughed. “It’s interesting to see how different people show who they are, how they portray themselves, and it’s fun to get to do some things you wouldn’t normally get to do.”

To get into the mindset of someone so opposite to herself, Fearn said she uses a variety of techniques. During scenes where Lord Capulet is angry, she focuses on things that make her angry. She also takes time to consider his side of the story.

“Even if I think he isn’t always right, I can think about what he is angry about if I think he isn’t always right. I can think about what he is angry about, how it makes him feel and then see that [emotion] in myself,” Fearn explained.

Opposite Fearn, Katelin Rezabek plays Lady Capulet.

“This is my first time acting,” Rezabek confessed, though she has been behind the scenes in other productions, on the tech crew. She finds Lady Capulet a strange character, saying, “She is kind of a neglectful mother figure. She is also very different from myself, a bit arrogant and very elegant.”

To capture Lady Capulet, Rezabek tries to strike a regal tone and elegant posture. She has also been quietly observing how various mothers are portrayed.

Ohia Nielsen plays Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin. “I probably knew the least knowledge about ‘Romeo and Juliet’ of anyone here,” Nielsen said. Nielsen has taken to the role, and cast members agreed the hard work has been paying off. “I’ve gained an understanding of Benvolio as a character. I feel like I’m very similar.” Nielsen added that Benvolio seems to be the voice of reason throughout the play, however, which is the opposite. “I’m excessively chaotic in every fashion.”

When asked if Nielsen was interested in participating in other plays, the response was a resounding ‘yes,’ to which the students cheered.

Romeo’s best friend Mercutio is played by Findlay Smith. “He is very chaotic,” Smith laughed. “It’s really fun to play him because he is all over the place.”

Like Nielsen, Smith is new to both Shakespeare and the theater. Through this production, Smith has gained a better understanding, and looking forward to participating in more theater.

For comedic relief, Allison Power plays Juliet’s nurse.

“She doesn’t usually make up her mind. She tells Juliet she should marry Romeo, then she tells her she should marry Paris, and she’s just all over the place,” Power said. “But, as we blocked and rehearsed, deeply explored the text, her depth has uncovered itself for me. She has lots of little funny moments but she often sprinkles it with personal facts. She talks about how her child died at an early age, her husband’s dead, and she’s watching Juliet grow up.”

That history gives insight is heartbreaking to think about considering that Juliet also dies at a young age.

These thespians will be performing “Romeo and Juliet” on Jan. 11 at a regional convention in Renton. With luck they will continue on to perform at state and national levels. Power and Clark are co-presidents, and Power is also the Washington State Representative for the Education Theatre Association.

“This is a chance to really meet other theater kids. I think that is the biggest thing I learned in my freshman year. Growing up on an island where there are only 30 theater kids,” Power, who is now a senior, explained. Going to conferences and competitions, Power continued, she realized how many other students out there were just like her.

The troupe has held fundraisers in the past, to support these trips, including a recent bake sale.

“We raised $3,000 which was amazing because these trips cost so much money. They increase as you go on because they get longer, and are further away,” Clark said.

For those wanting to contribute, they usually hold a bake sale around Valentine’s Day. People may also donate to the San Juan Community Theatre, but be sure to specify “Theatre troupe.”