Romeo & Juliet

Welcome to our event page for R&J's public performances.

To inquire about our educational performance on November 13th, please call (864)770-1372.

 

Think y'all know R&J? Think again, partner!

Despite their feuding families, Romeo and Juliet find a spark of hope in forbidden love. Can peace exist in a violently polarized world? Directed by classically trained actor and educator John Michael Cox, this Western take on Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers is bold, funny and wildly unexpected.

[Audience Advisory // This production contains sudden loud noises; flashing lights; fog/haze; stage blood; prop guns/weapons; simulated violence, including gun violence; and depictions of suicide. Recommended for 12+]

FAQs about the Show

Q: Is this still the original story?
A: This production is a faithful cutting of Shakespeare's full, original text. We have not changed the story or modified the language to "fit" a Western aesthetic.

Q: Are you making it a comedy?
A: Structurally, the first half of the play is a comedy—in both a humorous and classical sense. It's Romeo's climactic act of violence that alters the course and sends the plot down its tragic road. Our production revels in the fun and reveres the devastation in equal measure.

Q: Why a Western?
A: Setting Shakespeare's plays in different contexts enables us to highlight specific elements of the story. His plays are so beautifully complex and structurally robust that no one production can showcase every thread or nuance. With a Wild West backdrop where frontier justice reigns, we're honing in on how violence shapes the story and prevents a polarized society from finding peace.

Cast & Crew

David Bean (Lord Capulet)

David is delighted to return to the Rodeheaver stage after a brief eleven year absence, having finished his M.A. in Dramatic Productions from BJU in 2012. In the meanwhile, he’s performed at various theatres in the Upstate, including as Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men and Sherlock Holmes in Hound of the Baskervilles. He is searching for his next book to read, so if you have any good literary recommendations, please send them his way.  

Emma Galloway Stephens (Lady Capulet)

Emma Galloway Stephens is excited for her first major role in a BJU Classic Players production. She has been a member of the Greenville Shakespeare Company for its last four seasons. She is an assistant professor of English and creative writing at BJU. Glory to God, and thanks to Mom, Dad, and Samuel, her spouse.  

Steven White (Tybalt)

Steven White is thrilled to be playing Tybalt in Romo & Juliet as part of his senior capstone work! He has also enjoyed performing in A Midsummer Night's Dream as Demetrius and in Richard III as Catesby. He will graduate with a bachelor's degree in Theater this May. He would like to give a special thanks to his Mom, Dad, brother, and fiancé.

Kristin Post (Nurse)

Kristin Post has had the opportunity to perform several roles through the years in both educational and community theatre. Her favorite roles include Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, Kate Keller in All My Sons, and Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank. Other productions include The Outside, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Comedy of Errors, Love’s Labor’s Lost, The Burial at Thebes, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Anouilh’s Antigone. When not performing, she dabbles in writing scripts, and has seen some of her works come to life on stage. Kristin holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Theatre, and is excited to take the stage again with another Shakespearean role.

Sam Stephens (Peter Potpan/Apothecary)

Sam is excited to join the Classic Players again for this new production of Romeo & Juliet! Past roles include Friar Francis in Much Ado About Nothing, Odysseus in Philoctetes, and King Ferdinand in Love’s Labor’s Lost.

Gabby Boyd (Juliet)

Gabrielle is excited for her fourth Shakespeare production at BJU. She has had the honor of performing with the Classic Players before in A Midsummer Night's Dream and is playing Juliet as her Theatre capstone project. Hi Mom, Dad, Caleb, and Luke!

Isaac Stephens (Lord Montague)

Isaac is excited to be back on stage once again with the Classic Players. Isaac has worked as a graphic designer in both the freelance and professional world for over 6 years and his love for art and storytelling spills over into his work in theatre. Notable roles include Antipholus of Syracuse (Comedy of Errors) Major Metcalf (The Mousetrap) and Mr. Kirby (You Can’t Take it With You). In his free time, you can find Isaac playing the guitar, catching the latest movie or scoping out new dining options around the upstate.

Annette Pait (Lady Montague)

A Greenville native, Annette was introduced to acting in middle school. After completing a master’s degree in Interpretative Performance, she taught Communication for 15 years at BJU’s School of Applied Studies. During that time, she periodically served in front of the camera recording vignettes for educational and ministry purposes.  She also enjoyed roles in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, A Winter’s Tale, King Lear and others.  Her most memorable role was Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew. Annette currently uses her interpretative skills in a new way: she reads the entire biblical prophecy of Revelation to church audiences.   

William Klapperich (Benvolio)

William is an enthusiastic new member of the Bob Jones University Classic Players. He recently performed in multiple shows along the East Coast of the United States. William is a current student at Bob Jones University pursuing a BA in Theatre.

Jon Klukow (Romeo)

Jon is very excited to be a part of this production of Romeo & Juliet. He recently played Flute/Thisbe in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ratcliff in Richard III: The Terrible Reign, Mak in The Second Shepard’s Play, and Malvolio in Twelfth Night. Jon graduated with a BA in Theatre from BJU as part of the class of 2023, and is currently pursuing his MA in Theatre.

Dan Olinger (Prince Escalus)

Dan is a Professor of Bible at BJU. Even though he’s too old for this, he enjoys acting as an amateur in minor roles with both BJU Classic Players and graduate student projects in Performance Hall, BJU’s black-box theater. His most recent role was as Malachi Stack in Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker.

Eric Lane (Paris)

Eric is thrilled to be performing in BJU’s production of Romeo & Juliet. Favorite roles include Ariel in The Tempest and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Eric recently received his BA in Theatre from Bob Jones University.

Hannah Allen (Mercutio)

Hannah is completing her senior capstone project in the role of Mercutio. Her previous roles on the Rodeheaver stage are Lady Anne in Richard III and Helena in A Midsummer Nights Dream. 

Josh León (Friar Lawrence)

Josh has looked forward to working on Romeo & Juliet for a long time. His previous work has included playing Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Murderer 1 in Richard III, and The Narrator/Mysterious Man in Into The Woods. Josh is currently working towards a BA in Visual Studies and eventually a Masters in Theatre.

Melodie Campos (Ensemble)

Mélodie Campos is excited to be a part of the ensemble in Romeo & Juliet! She's always had a love for stories that engage and teach moral lessons, and her international heritage gives her a passion for language and other cultures. During her time at university, she has acted in The Mousetrap and worked stage crew for Alas and other Remedies, Matchmaker, and Twelfth Night. She also enjoys voice acting on the side. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in theatre.

Kelsey Campbell (Ensemble)

Kelsey is very excited to be a part of Romeo & Juliet. She performed in multiple plays at Calvary Christian School in Myrtle Beach and is currently studying Theatre at Bob Jones University.

Michael Evener (Ensemble)

Michael Evener is a freshman at BJU. Previous credits include Peter Pan and Wendy, Frozen Junior, and The Wizard of Oz . In addition to acting, he is also an accomplished singer and musician playing baritone, cello, trombone, tuba, piano, and trumpet. Michael values personal time, a good run to clear his mind, and hiking in the vast beauty of nature.

Abigail Gillespie (Ensemble)

Abby Lynn has been in theatre for 10 years, including roles as Lucy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and ensemble in BJU's Beauty and the Beast. An up-and-coming voice-over artist, she has experience in podcasting, documentary narration, and audio drama. Outside of the stage and recording booth, Abby Lynn is a chronic book addict and a self-proclaimed chef.

Arianna Jenks (Ensemble)

Arianna is excited to be a part of Romeo & Juliet with the Classic Players at Bob Jones University. She recently performed in The Matchmaker on campus as Ermengarde. Arianna is majoring in Theater at Bob Jones University.

Nick Wright (Ensemble)

Nick Wright is an undergraduate student majoring in Theatre and minoring in Music. Having been in the performing arts for almost 16 years, Nick loves exploring the world through the stage!