Verona crumbles as the hatred of two families ignites its streets. Once more swords clash, and the Prince decrees: if Montague or Capulet again disrupts the peace, lives will answer to the law. That night Lord Capulet hosts a great banquet—among his guests the Count Paris, who seeks the hand of Capulet's daughter Juliet. Hearing of the Capulet feast, the young Montagues decide to attend, uninvited and in disguise, accompanied by Lord Montague's son, Romeo. There, Romeo encounters Juliet and, innocent of one another's name and kin, the two fall in love.

The following morning, Friar Laurence consents to secretly perform the rites of marriage. Their vows just spoken, Romeo is confronted in the street by Capulet's nephew Tybalt, enraged by the Montagues' bold intrusion of the night before. But it is Mercutio who takes up Tybalt's challenge and, as Romeo attempts to break the two apart, Mercutio is slain. In blind fury, Romeo turns upon his bride's cousin, murdering him. The Capulets demand the Montague's death; the Prince instead sentences Romeo to banishment. After a wedding night cloaked in secrecy, Romeo parts from Juliet at daybreak. Moments later Lady Capulet seeks out her daughter with news of Juliet's impending wedding day, all arranged between her father and Count Paris. The Nurse advises her charge to forget her husband and to marry Paris. In torment, Juliet turns to the Friar, whose desperate plan he prays will end in Juliet reunited with her Romeo and the families reconciled. But time—and history—are unrelenting, and as Montague and Capulet vow at last to end the killing, it is a peace purchased with their treasures.

Dramatists Personae

Thoughts from Director Rachel Rockwell
Rockwell shares her ideas on relationships, love, and vision for the play.

What is all the fighting about?
Shakespeare doesn’t leave us any clues as to what caused the feud in the first place between the Capulets and the Montagues. But we can imagine…

Matt Hawkins interview
Fight Choreographer Matt Hawkins talks about his craft.

Do You Believe in Love at First Sight?
Check out the answers given by cast members of Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet.

Hear from the Cast Post-show discussions are held after Wednesday and student matinees. Recordings are updated throughout the run of the production.

The Cast
See who's who among the actors.

The Creative Team
See who’s who on the creative team—the director, designers and other artists who contribute to the creation of the world of the play.

Check back for updates.