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J & R
By The Drama Experience
Written by Mia Keren Black and Avalon Anilaers
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Show Description
Romeo and Juliet presented for the HERE and NOW by the youth of today. This show brings out the raw and honest themes which have resonated for centuries. How are breaking the cycle and acceptance intertwined?
Genre and Content
Content Warnings
The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 12-15 and up
Learn How To Fringe
Seat Reservations and Show Tickets
| Add to Schedule | Date | Time | Ticket Options | Quantity | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 08/02 | 7:00 PM | ||||
| Sun 08/03 | 4:00 PM | ||||
| Wed 08/06 BFF | 5:30 PM | ||||
| Thu 08/07 | 8:30 PM | ||||
| Fri 08/08 | 10:00 PM |
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Video Trailer
Cast and Crew
Seral Powers
Producer/Artistic Director for Youth Cast/Walburga in Alumni Cast/AuthorPronouns: they/them
TDE Student: 2008 - 2011
Alumni Volunteer: 2017 - Current
Community is where we build ourselves, because when family doesn't end in blood... all things are possible.
When I was first a student in The Drama Experience, I knew it was something special. Despite being one of the foundational places that built my love for acting and theatre arts, it was also a sense of community I have always strived for in my life. One where, when you give your best and do what you can, we'll love you exactly as you are. Years later, after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, I would return to Minnesota. Within a month I was back with Drama. To share my knowledge and bridge that gap inside me that craved true community. To learn from all my students what I couldn't learn as a student myself. And... to just be happy. I have been The Drama Experience's Artistic Director for 8 years and we have been through SO MUCH in that time. If you thought navigating COVID was hard... try also facing the closure of your childhood school that the program was based out of in the same year... and never even getting to perform our final show there.
In 2021 Mr. Orth and I rebuilt the program from the ground up with only 2 returning students. It was through them that I saw how everything we'd worked on would always be worth it. I see it again and again with every show we produce, no matter what the final product is. So I am unbelievably excited to share these wonderful people with you on a broader stage for the first time ever. And hopefully inspire other educators out there by showing how incredibly rewarding it is to do a full theatre program with middle grade students.
-Represented by Meredith Model and Talent Agency-
Steven Orth
Artistic Director for Alumni Cast/ProducerPronouns: he/him
*Founding Leader of The Drama Experience*
"All Things Are Possible." So many impactful people, including my wife Stephanie and daughters Dannalyn & Darissa, have instilled and perpetuated this in me: my hope is that this comes through in all that I--and we--do.
I have been leading the Drama Experience since the spring of 1999. Thomas B. Mraz, legendary director at Burnsville High School, became a second father for me years ago. What he spoke, modeled, exemplified is that the extraordinary begins with the belief that there is more to life than the ordinary. Not because of our actions alone, but it is our reasons that propel us to a deeper purpose. The Drama Experience is more than a show: each production has the potential to permanently change the way those involved see themselves and their connection to others.
Kaylea Lindvall
Student Director for Youth Cast/Rosalie in Alumni CastPronouns: she/her
TDE Student: 2022 - 2025
Theatre has always been interesting to me, one of my favorite hobbies. I love putting on a mask and entertaining others as well as myself. This show shines a light on mental health awareness and I feel it is important for people to not just know that it exists, but recognize and acknowledge it.
*Played Paetyn in Original J&R Cast*
Ben Kussatz
Student Director for Alumni Cast/Fighter in BOTH CastsPronouns: he/him TDE Student: 2022 - 2025 Previous Drama Experience Shows: Okoye - Not Quite a Fortnight, Jack - Reunion (After the End of the World), Prime - True Drama: The Tragicomic Story of Middle School Non-Musical, Kiley - How 2 Save Your Friends (While Finding a Treasure) In 5 (Easy) Nonsensical Steps, and Michelle 3 - From The Mouths Of Monsters.
Sam Stephens
Jaime in Youth Cast/Costume TeamPronouns: she/they TDE Student: 2023 - Current Hey! I'm Sam, I play Jamie and I have been in The Drama Experience for almost three years now! I have been in Finding Nemo Jr The Musical, True Drama: The Tragicomic Story of a Middle School Non-Musical, Reunion (After the End of the World), J&R, and Not Quite a Fortnight. The Drama Experience has definitely changed my life for the better, everyone in The Drama Experience has a wonderful bond and it's just amazing. I hope everyone enjoys this play. *Reprising Role from Original J&R*
Quinn Blix
Rosebella in Youth Cast/Costume LeadPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2022 - 2024 Alumni Volunteer: 2024 Quinn has been apart of The Drama Experience for three going on four years. After being a student in the program, she helped the cast feel memorized and ready. She is very excited to reprise her role and tell this beautiful story of loss and anger from her role as Rosebella. Acting and story telling is a personal passion of hers. *Reprising Role from Original J&R*
Ky Selle
Lance in Youth CastPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2023 - 2024 I have never been so excited about an opportunity before. What started as a few kindergarten plays has blossomed into performing on a professional stage as one of my favorite roles ever. Even though getting the chance to do what I love in front of so many people is amazing, my biggest takeaway is the people I get to work with. Every rehearsal seems more fun than the last and everyone in the cast and crew feels like family to me. Working on this production feels like home to me. *Reprising Role from Original J&R*
Al Blix
Salem in Youth Cast/Construction LeadPronouns: she/they TDE Student: 2022 - 2024 Alumni Volunteer: 2024-2025 Currently, I'm doing theater at the high school and I still always try to help with set building for The Drama Experience and the high school. I hope this show can help people as much as it helped me through my 8th grade year! *Reprising Role from Original J&R*
Lillyanna Bolton
Percy in Youth Cast/PropsmasterPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2022 - 2024 Thank you, Drama Experience, for teaching me All Things Are Possible. Previous roles in The Drama Experience The Mouths of Monsters by Idris Goodwin, playing Poet as a RD One Act - The Mouths of Monsters by Idris Goodwin, playing Poet as a RD How 2 Save Your Friends (While Finding A Treasure) In 5 Nonsensical Steps by Steve Orth, playing Mrs. Schlieman/Construction Lead J&R by Mia Keren Black and Avalon Anilares, Running Crew One Act - J&R by Mia Keren Black and Avalon Anilares, playing Percy True Drama: The Tragicomic Real Story Of Middle School Non-Musical by Steve Orth, playing Costume Lead *Reprising Role from J&R One-Act*
Kendal Shelton
Willa in Youth CastPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2021-2024 I have been in six The Drama Experience shows, three of those were one acts. This is my first time being in a big one act show so that’s exciting. I did Drama for three years, that’s a long time if you really think about it. I was in My Best Worst Day, Crossover Chaos, From the Mouths of Monsters, How 2 Save Your Friends (While Finding a Treasure) in 5 (Easy) Nonsensical Steps, J&R, and True Drama: The Tragicomic Story of Middle School Non-Musical. The only one I completely understood the plot for was J&R ...very lucky am I right? I do many other things in life that keep me active everyday so basically I am never bored. *Reprising Role from Original J&R*
Connor Matthews
Orion in Youth CastPronouns: he/him TDE Student: 2022 - 2024 Hey, I'm Connor and I am so excited to be back and to perform in my original role of Orion! I've was in The Drama experience for two years and was in From the Mouths of Monsters, Newsies JR, J&R, and True Drama: The Tragicomic Story of Middle School Non-Musical! I would like to thank my family and friends for the endless support and my parents for always willing to be driving me to rehearsals! I really hope you enjoy this fantastic story! Enjoy! *Reprising Role from Original J&R*
Kylie Johnson
Nora in Youth Cast/Paint CaptainPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2024 - 2025 This was my first and only year of The Drama Experience, and I learned so much! I learned how to build sets, paint them, and move them during shows. In Reunion (After the End of the World), I learned to do a spit take, and I learned how to rock out in Not Quite A Fortnight! I’ve also made many friends along the way and many memories I won’t forget. Now I am in J&R, and have learned stage combat! Doing The Drama Experience has taught me a lot of acting skills and I will be forever grateful! I am excited to continue acting at the high school!
Melody Chavez
Blythe in Youth Cast/Business LeadPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2023 - current Hii! I'm Melody, my favorite color is yellow, I like a bunch of stuff, and I like meeting people! I have been in The Drama Experience for 2 years, going to be 3 next year and it's one of the best things ever. There is nothing like it! I have met so many people that I never thought I would know and its always so fun because everyone is so kind!! I hope you enjoy every show you see, especially J&R. Thank you!! *Played a Townie in Original J&R Cast*
Eleanor Schnobrich
Elodie in Youth Cast/Video LeadPronouns: she/they TDE Student: 2023 - Current I am excited to be playing the role of Elodie in the Youth Cast of J & R. I have been in The Drama Experience for two years. I have done acting along with multiple crew roles, such as Sound Lead, Paint Captain, Video Lead and Running Crew! I’m grateful that I get the opportunity to do this show and I’m even more grateful for the people. The people, from cast to crew to directors, are so amazing to be around and I’m so glad that I get to work with all of them in this production.
Heaven Dereje
Florencia in Youth Cast/Business TeamPronouns: she/they TDE Student: 2025 This will be my first role on stage and I hope the audience takes the theme of the play into there own lives. I'm excited to play this role and make this show worth seeing!
Phinley Thares
Mara in Youth Cast/Props MentorPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2021-2024 TDE Alumni Volunteer: 2024-2025 I have been acting and helping with The Drama Experience since 2021. I have done 8 shows with them and I am very exited to be adding a 9th. I play Mara in J&R and I find her as a very empowering character in the show. I have done two shows as an alum and helped out with acting. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Overall this program is a big family and a wonderful community to be around. I am happy to be back. *Reprising Role from Original J&R Cast*
Angie Dothe Olmedo
Jade in Alumni Cast/Make-up TeamPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2021 - 2023 Hello! My name is Angie and I am a 16-year-old female Hispanic. This is my third year in the Drama Experience. I’m thrilled to have been given the chance to work with such amazing directors and actors on this production! Previous roles I have played with The Drama Experience were ‘Daughter 2/Sunni/Friend 3’ in “My Best Worst Day”, ‘Edmund Sullen’ in “Crossover Chaos!”, ‘Dr. Franklin’ in “From The Mouth Of Monsters”, and ‘BeBe’ in “How 2 Save Your Friend (While Finding a Treasure) In 5 Nonsensical Steps”. Whether it was assisting with set construction or blocking out scenes, the Drama Experience awakened my love for theater. While watching J&R, I hope you experience the same spark.
Val Corts
Liam in Alumni Cast/Costume MentorPronouns: TDE Student: 2022 - 2024 Alumni Volunteer: 2025 *Played Ezra in Original J&R Cast*
Peggy Yurk
Soran in Alumni Cast/Video LeadPronouns: they/them TDE Student: 2020 - 2022 INITIATING BURNMYDREAD PROGRAM … Hello! My name is Peggy, I was part of the Drama Experience for 2 years. I am now a senior in high school, a captain of the Burnsville Debate Team, where I compete in competitive speech and I also participate in YIG. I am very excited to be in this production and hope YOU have an excellent experience!
Maliya/Mitchell Kanu
Parviz in Alumni Cast/Business TeamPronouns: he/she TDE Student: 2023 - current Hello! I contribute by doing most of the writing for social media posts! I love acting, and I actually wanna do voice acting in the future! (Mainly for object shows) If you like greeting the actors, so do I! I love greeting guests that come to our shows! I’ll try to say hi to as much people as I can. Have fun at Fringe !! :3 *Played Nyree in Original J&R Cast*
Ian Fee
Onyx in Alumni CastPronouns: they/he TDE Student: 2008 - 2011 Ian Fee is an actor based in Minneapolis, MN. Recent roles include Jack Worthing from The Importance of Being Earnest, and Francis Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Ian is excited to return to The Drama Experience!
Naseem Rafiei
Nadine in Alumni Cast/Make-up MentorPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2000 - 2003 Alumni Volunteer: 2006 - 2008 Once an awkward middle school drama queen, now just a full-time one, Naseem Rafiei is delighted to return to her theatrical roots at MN Fringe in this queer, modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. As an alum of the very program that once taught her how to project to the back row, she now brings decades of dramatic over-commitment to the stage. Offstage, she’s a restaurant industry MVP, sommelier, self trained nail tech, and voracious perfume collector. This performance is a love letter to her younger self and a reminder that it’s never too late to reconnect with what was once lost.
Vivien Olson
Briar in Alumni Cast/Make-up TeamPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2024 - Current I'm very excited to be in this production of J&R and be in a new cast to bring new actors to the show. Some recent roles I have had are: Leif from Not Quite a Fortnight- a play with The Drama experience based on 'Twelfth Night' Gavin from Reunion (After the End of the World)- A play put on by the Drama Experience by Will Quam. I'm very happy that I got the opportunity to be in this show, especially because I was not in the original J&R in 2023. I hope that I can inspire new interpretations of the show with the new cast. I really want the audience to see the message in J&R and bring that to who ever needs to hear it or even go do something about it as well. I hope you enjoy our showings of J&R at the Fringe!
Kira Lyn Welle
Elloween in Alumni Cast/Business TeamPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2002 - 2004 A Metcalf alum, Kira joined The Drama Experience in 2002 as part of the chorus for Music Man Jr and quickly found community amongst fellow weirdos with a flair for the dramatic. She had supporting roles in The Siege of Room 304 and Annie Get Your Gun, lead roles in Dear Edwina and Walkin' Home, and student-directed Radio Daze as her final role in 2004. Lately, Kira was missing a creative outlet and is so grateful for the opportunity to play with this amazing crew of humans and for the joy it brings. The themes of J&R are heavy -- as is life -- DO NOT FORGET TO SEEK JOY AND PLAY!
Blaine Borchardt
Magnus in Alumni Cast/Construction MentorPronouns: he/him TDE Student: 2013 - 2014 Alumni Volunteer: 2018, 2019, 2021 - 2025 Lifelong theatre nerd that has been involved in one way or another (but mainly acting and set work) in many productions over the course of 20+ years. He's excited to be acting again with the group that fostered his love for the theatre.
Madeline Noble
Fighter/Townie in BOTH Castspronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2023 - 2024 Alumni Volunteer: 2024 I am so excited to perform this story a second time! It has so many meanings other than forbidden love and I believe everyone can connect to something. Enjoy! *Reprising Role from Original J&R Cast*
Landon Bolton
Fighter in BOTH Casts/Construction TeamPronouns: he/him TDE Student: 2023 - current I played Captain Lukas in Not Quite a Fortnight. I also played Griffin in Reunion (After the End of the World). I want the audience to understand the love and hate behind ever character and how big the world is and how understanding it makes it so much more fun *Reprising Role from J&R One-Act*
Jess Nguyen
Fighter/Townie in BOTH Casts/Paint MentorPronouns: they/them TDE Student: 2015 - 2016 I participated in the Drama Experience and enjoyed everything about it so much that I came back almost a decade later for the Fringe Festival. The Drama Experience has made such a lasting impact on me. Every construction and paint skill I have, I learned while building sets for shows. Friendships I made in Metcalf Drama Experience have lasted to this day. I’m so excited that The Drama Experience is still going strong as the welcoming, supportive, and goofy space it has always been.
Robyn Gaylord
Business MentorPronouns: she/her TDE Student: 2000 - 2003 Volunteer Alumni: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2020 As the oldest alumnus to be participating in this production, I am thrilled for this momentous event for The Drama Experience.
More Information
Find our Program HERE*coming soon*
The Drama Experience strongly believes that every student contributes to multiple aspects of the program, and since we have no regular stage or storage, we build everything from the ground up. Over the years many amazing adult alumni have helped come back to contribute, but it is always the students who get to not only learn, but take ownership for everything they do for this program. To them, the reward of a well executed show to audience applause... is nothing compared to the relationships built and memories made. Sure we love theatre, but what we love most is people.
I think too often young people are disenfranchised, their voices not heard, their emotions ridiculed. I know I experienced it, and the harsh realties of untreated or under recognized mental health that came with it. This is partially where J&R was born. I have always loved Shakespeare (or Shakesqueer as I lovingly call him), but I have loved none so much as Romeo and Juliet with it's woefully misunderstood teenagers and timeless story. In 2021 I had the honor to see it performed at The Globe in London while I sobbed my eyes out from a balcony. From there an idea was born, how accessible can you make Shakespeare? What does it become if you give it back the age bracket it was written for instead of aging it up for modern audiences? What does it mean to unravel gender and find a bit more humanity in the characters originally presented? What does it mean to let the youth shine the mirror on our current society, and actually listen to what they have to say?
The version we're presenting at the Fringe is only one hour of the two hour script, and (to the great sadness of the original cast) many scenes had to be cut. My hope with this show is that after the Fringe, I can finally release it out into the universe for more youth theatres to tackle in their communities. As a trans, queer, and neurodivergent individual; every message in this story means a lot to me, but it also means a lot to these students. Especially the original cast and crew, who influenced so much of this show, and were so excited to bring it back to life one more time.
This wouldn't have ever happened without their enthusiasm for this story, or this program. So thank you all, you amazing, wonderful, brilliant humans. I love you.
-Powers (Producer, Artistic Director, Author, and Actor)
