Updates for R + Jules Post: July
A backyard. Cement Slab. A rarity in New York.
Something I am incredibly grateful for.
A group of creative friends and I sat around a charcuterie board on a metal rolling cart after the ‘Studio Art’ event I hosted.
We were sitting on the spiral stairs to the small Juliet balcony. ‘You should do Romeo and Juliet’
‘Say Less’
Step 1: Team
I’ve been in New York just under two years. I’m grateful to be a curious and extroverted person, as these traits have created many opportunities to connect with others, learn their interests, and explore collaborations.
I attribute meeting majority of people to an event called ‘Makers MeetUp’
There I met one of my closest friends in New York who does generative art with touch designer. Through him I met another close friend and incredibly dedicated artist and producer. I also met a grounded and explorative multi-hyphenate artist
I also met a beautifully explorative and grounded artist of all sorts.
And through Studio Art I met a fantastic actress.
And through a ‘Readings and Rose’ event I met Beth.
These three started the connections to make this dedicated and passionate group of people connected.
Haley Morgan Miller- Dancer and Multi-Hyphenate. (Lighting Designer, Producer, Projection Designer, Visual & Performance Artist, Etc) Fabled Narcissism- Incredibly Analytical and Practical and a thoughtful human to join the team
Beth- Playwright
Lafayette- Multi-hyphenate
Step 2: Script
I found the script for Romeo and Juliet on the Folgers website.
I spent a few days of the summer adapting the script from the Baz Luhrman version of Romeo + Juliet.
Step 2: Adaptation
Later, I met Beth at a friends ‘Readings & Rosè’ party. Rochen and I were talking and I mentioned wanting to do a show in my backyard. She connected Beth and I and we agreed to get coffee. Beth and I did and she is a beautifully intentional individual. She had an analytical mind that cut down to the core of the story, which ultimately helped to shape the story.
Beth was a playwright pre-pandemic and is looking to get back into playwrighting.
She and I got coffee and she brought up ‘Its a tale of rivalry at the core and the two opposing sides’
We had a convo about how do we cut this down further. Bringing it to the 40 minute mark. She found a beautiful way to show Juliet’s gripe with
Also worked on turning multiple characters into one character.
Step 4: Concept
It was the summer of 2024
Brat.
The only thing on anyone’s mind. Wake up? Party girl. Go to sleep? Party girl dreams.
Making it relevant. What is rational? What is irrational and emotional?