(Secaucus, NJ––March 15, 2021) Three High Tech students––juniors Kimani Culbreath and Maya Ramdayal, along with freshman Saorla Rafferty––were selected to participate in the 2021 production of Tiny Shakes: Romeo & Juliet at the Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.
Kimani Culbreath and Maya Ramdayal were selected as members of the Acting Company for this year’s production, while Saorla was selected as Assistant Stage Manager. Rather than a traditional audition, due to coronavirus restrictions, each student submitted a recording of a monologue related to a theme in the play and then sat for Zoom interviews with the casting crew at Two River Theater in order to earn their parts.
Deb Arters, High Tech Drama Instructor to Kimani and Maya, praised her students: “Kimani and Maya are dream drama students. From their auditions into our program until now, they continue to exhibit talent, artistic curiosity, dedication and passion. Whatever they can do to support their peers, their craft and the drama program, they both are always willing and excited to do so.” As a freshman in the Arts Academy at HTHS, Saorla is yet to choose a focus for her arts studies, and this role builds on her existing theater experiences.
The 2021 version of Tiny Shakes: Romeo & Juliet is a creative take on the previous Little Shakespeare production at Two Rivers Theater. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions on the theater experience, rather than a typical casting audition, this innovative program puts theater students in creative control, designing and retelling each scene in their own unique way. The resulting performance will take viewers through a “theatrical collage,” according to the Two River website.
You can view the finalized production of the 2021 Tiny Shakes: Romeo & Juliet on May 3rd. Learn more at https://tworivertheater.org/tiny-shakes/
Pictured: (left) Maya Ramdayal; (right) Kimani Culbreath
Maya Ramdayal
Kimani Culbreath
