Day Two: Stratford and the Shakespeare Festival

The crew getting weird at our hotel.

Day two included two plays--the centerpiece of the festival, Romeo and Juliet, and the non-Shakespearean musical Fiddler on the Roof. The students loved the change of pace that the musical offered--the energy of the choreography and intensity of the music was a great beginning to our weekend showings. Ariel Harris shares her reflections from the musical and contrasts the Romeo and Juliet version we saw today with the one we saw on Navy Pier last March.

On the second day in Canada, we had the pleasure of going to the Festival Theater to watch two plays: "Fiddler On The Roof" and "Romeo and Juliet.

Elijah and Terrance posing with Bill Shakespeare (notice Nikole's excellent photobomb)

" I greatly enjoyed "Fiddler On The Roof" because it was similar to Shakespeare's plays. They shared themes such as challenging society's norms and how a community can shape a person's character. The play had various components to it: comedy, drama, and even music. 

It was definitely a wonderful learning experience because we got to see how different "Romeo and juliet" was at Navy Pier compared to the one in Stratford. This showed how there are many interpretations of the play, and how even the costumes and the ways the characters were portrayed wasn't the same. I personally preferred the one at Navy Pier because it was more intimate than the one at the Festival Theater. I feel that it was more organic. Although at some points the play in Stratford interacted with the audience, Navy Pier's had a session after the play to meet the actors which made you feel more connected to the entire experience. 

Following the plays, we took time to discuss some of the most salient themes that connected the various plays we are watching this weekend (as well as throughout the year). These include the influence of family and community traditions and values, and are particularly important to the students as they consider the choices they will make about college and their lives as young adults. Will they follow their own ambitions? How will they maintain connections to their families and friends, and what duty do they have to do so? All of these questions sparked personal discussions, which Francisco (not the one from yesterday) elaborates on below:

On our second day at the scenic town of Stratford, Ontario we went to see “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Romeo & Juliet.” The plays were stupendous!!! The actors were so outstanding that they literally made the audience want to get up and be apart of the production. By the end of production we found our selves singing to the catchy song sung throughout the play, “Tradition”. After the Fiddler on the Roof, we, the Shakespeare society, took a scenic rout to a gazebo where we discussed topics like our role in our community after we graduate from college and how we feel this trip will impact our lives. For example, some students felt that Chicago has not done much for them or influenced the people they are, therefore, they feel little responsibility to help the community when they graduate from their future alma maters. On the other hand, other students said that they do feel a responsibility to their communities to further develop the society that helped raise them.

Another full day (including some late night capture the flag and Catchphrase). Having seen two plays, we're looking forward to exploring the city of Stratford tomorrow and pulling the thematic threads we've already discussed through to our last play, Measure for Measure. Thanks to everyone who has kept up-to-date with our adventures. Here's to day three!

Annie and David