In Fair Verona, Where We Lay Our Scene

Never was there a tale of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Five graduates of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts high school drama program have joined together with local actors to produce William Shakespeare's classic tragedy. They call themselves Moore 213 Productions (named after their dorm room) and are getting support from Ocracoke Theatre Company, which is a partnership between Ocracoke School and the non-profit organization Ocracoke Alive. 

One of the graduates is Ocracoke resident Emmet Temple, who left Ocracoke School last fall to spend his senior year in Winston-Salem at UNCSA. Although he acted in Ocracoke Theatre Company's productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, We Must Kill Toni, and Macbeth, this is his first time in the director's seat. In those other shows, Emmet was directed by his cousin and English teacher, Charles Temple. This time around, Charles is playing a small role. Emmet is also directing himself as Juliet's nurse.

Most of the major roles are being played by UNCSA grads, with the exception of Juliet, who will be played by Emmet's sister and Ocracoke School student, Caroline Temple.

"It's a modern, youthful take on the classic tragedy, emphasizing the sense of loss throughout," said Wade, who will be playing Benvolio. 

"This is why Wade is our PR guy," said Warren (Mercutio) approvingly. 

"Come out to see the breathtaking fight choreography by Warren Weber," Wade announced.

We can only hope it will not actually take anyone's breath – they are using real swords and daggers, and promise to be safe. 

"Emmet has done a wonderful job as a first-time director," said Matt (Romeo). 

"Yes, he's really stuck with the show," said Wade. 

With a short amount of time to get 'er done (Romeo and Tibalt just arrived on Ocracoke on June 2nd), the rehearsals have been a bit intense.

Molly Lovejoy is home from her freshman year at Emerson College in Boston, where she is studying Studio Television Production. She was the driving force behind the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2010, and was also stage manager for Macbeth last year. In Boston, she worked as a stage manager for the college's production of Twelfth Night.

For Romeo and Juliet, Molly is the producer, stage manager, costume designer, set designer, props manager, and whatever else is needed, and will be assisted in all those endeavors by Deana Seitz. 

"I've never been more proud of a cast than this," she said. "They're really come a long way in the two weeks we've been rehearsing. And I'm happy to be working with Emmet again."

"There is no more to be said than this, friends: for good or ill, this Saturday it ends," said Emmet, who often speaks in iambic pentameter.