Surrey Upon Avon invites local youth to try Shakespeare

A new youth-led theatre troupe is bringing Shakespeare to the stage and welcoming anyone interested in giving the Bard a try. Surrey Upon Avon, a student-run company focused on Shakespeare, is holding auditions for its first production, a modern take on Romeo and Juliet.

The troupe was founded by Shannon Zhu and Hamin Kim, students at Grandview Heights Secondary in South Surrey, and Jessa Morrison, a recent graduate of the school. The three wanted to create an opportunity for young people to participate in theatre outside school. Zhu said all of the troupe’s shows will be Shakespeare, with a goal of making the plays more accessible and affordable for people in the area and offering free performances to everyone.

Surrey Upon Avon is independent and is not affiliated with Grandview Heights Secondary. Its productions are open to young people across the Lower Mainland. Zhu said Shakespeare is commonly taught in schools, but can still feel distant to students who do not see it as something they can take part in. She sees a similar barrier in theatre, where productions outside school can be expensive to attend or participate in. Zhu said the founders came together to address both issues by making auditions and performances free. The group wants people to feel they can simply walk in and take part.

The troupe also hopes to make its productions as accessible as possible by performing outdoors. Its current plan is to stage Romeo and Juliet at a local park in May; the date and location have not yet been set. The troupe’s website describes its first production as a modern spin on Shakespeare’s best-known tragedy. The story is set in the 1970s while keeping the familiar tale of Romeo and Juliet, their families, and the forces working against their relationship.

Morrison said the group considered a list of popular Shakespeare plays audiences would likely know and might want to see for its first production. The founders wanted a story people would already have some familiarity with, while leaving plenty of room for interpretation. She said Romeo and Juliet offered that balance. Zhu described the troupe’s theme as taking tradition and making it modern and accessible.

All roles are open to performers of all ages and genders, and the troupe encourages actors to bring their own interpretations and creativity to the characters. Morrison said performing at a community level and involving local teens can help people see theatre as something they can do and enjoy. She also connected accessibility to Shakespeare’s original purpose: he wrote his plays for the public, in English rather than Latin.

Morrison said the growth of social media has coincided with a lack of “third spaces” where teenagers can find community. The group hopes the production will give teens a place to meet people outside their usual school circles. Zhu said students involved in the production will also be able to earn volunteer hours and gain experience working with other actors, crew members and directors.

The troupe is planning fundraising events, with proceeds going toward set construction, props and costumes. Much of the wardrobe is expected to be thrifted, Zhu said. The production is still in its early stages, and the founders want the group to remain flexible about where and how it performs. Zhu said the particular park does not matter as much as keeping the production versatile.

The group is currently seeking students in Grades 8 to 12. Auditions and performances are free. Information about audition dates and registration is available on Surrey Upon Avon’s website at https://www.surreyuponavon.com/.