BRATTLEBORO — Vermont Theatre Company's production of Romeo and Juliet during the last weekend in June was our 26th Annual Shakespeare-in-the-Park performance and marked the end of our 31st season.
For three shows, nearly 500 people came out to the Rotary Stage in Living Memorial Park to enjoy perfect Vermont summer evenings, picnics with families and friends, and 19 amazing actors performing one of Shakespeare's most popular and most-loved plays. (Unfortunately, we had to cancel Sunday's performance because of the rain. The swordfighting scenes would not have been safe for the actors on the smaller stage at Brattleboro Union High School.)
Because VTC is a community theater, we know that none of our productions would be possible without the help of many members of the greater Brattleboro community.
We express our deepest appreciation to all who helped, starting with the 19 extremely hard-working, totally committed, and very talented actors: Rhys Glennon as Romeo, Clare Margand as Juliet, and Marion Major, Julia Waldron, Adrienne Major, Dylan Gallagher, Carrie Lane, Elijah Taylor, Jameson Garvey, Derrick Harnish, Jason Guerinos, Sam Stevens, John Kersey, Brenda Galenus, Mike Jerald, Ian Bigelow, Mia Moravis, Alec Dandelions, and Meredith Lewis. They all were volunteers and received no remuneration for their work.
Thanks also to Michelle Page, the creative, dedicated director and set designer; Brenda Seitz the spot-on, tireless stage manager; and Colin Grube and Mike Jerald, the other two members of the production team.
In addition, we thank Jodi Clark for creating the fight choreography and Ian Bigelow for being the fight captain.
Others whose contributions are greatly appreciated are Jim Bombicino, Jon Ogorzalek, and Ian Bigelow for set building and helping with the strike, and our patient and creative costumer, Rebecka Marchese. Heather Sommerlad provided us with wonderful live music, and Nicholas Bombicino created the dance choreography.
Many other people and businesses in the community helped in many different ways and to them we express our sincere gratitude: the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks staff, the Brattleboro Reformer, The Commons, Newton Business, Ira Wilner, Bob Simeon and the Windham Regional Career Center construction class, Robert Kramsky and the BUHS Theater Department, inspire School for Autism, David Mazor Photography, David Eddy, Kevin O'Donnell, and our donors.
And, last but not least, we are most appreciative for the support of Ben and Jerry's Community Action Team.
VTC is a non-profit community theater company based in Brattleboro, Vermont, dedicated to providing area audiences with high-quality live performances and actively encouraging new people to join our efforts by always holding open auditions for all productions.
For more information about the play and the Vermont Theatre Company, visit vermonttheatrecompany.org, or find us on Facebook (facebook.com/VermontTheatreCompany), and Twitter (@realvermonttheatrecompany).