A squirt gun would never be mistaken for a real gun, right? Dive into the thought-provoking world of Water. Gun. Argument and challenge what we choose to believe. A thought provoking and powerful piece in a docu-theatre style.
Production Tips for
Drop Dead, Juliet!
by Allison Williams
Juliet has had enough! Enough with the poison, enough with the stabbing, and especially enough with the dying. She wants a new story and she wants it now. More parts for girls! More romance! Less death!
Romeo and Juliet will never be the same - or will it? Not everyone's so keen on the changes. And why is Romeo sneaking off with Rosaline?
Average Producer Rating:
Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools
Tips from the Author
Juliet is a strong character who speaks her mind and isn’t above threatening Shakespeare with an axe. It would be easy to make Juliet a “battleaxe” of a character. In this version of the story Romeo doesn’t find her attractive at all! But never forget, she wants more love and less death. She is a romantic at heart. And even if she muddles and doesn’t make the right choices, she is thinking about the good of the play. Give Juliet both a strong will and a heart.
Here’s a tip straight from the author herself, Allison Williams: “Have fun with the dance section--especially if you're not under a time limit, this can be a great chance for kids who can really move to have a shining moment. It can be great fun to use older songs with dances associated with them (a la The Electric Slide), or whatever song the kids love now.”
Using music to introduce scenes can help set the tone - try using Renaissance music (harpsichord, recorders) for some scenes and current pop music for others.
And why not start off your rehearsals listening to Allison talk about her love for Shakespeare? Click here for our podcast Interview Why Shakespeare today!
Tips from past Producers
