For Immediate Release

Miami, Florida

It may seem like an unlikely marriage-- Shakespeare & Hip Hop, Tango, Spoken Word and Grafitti Arts, but the cast of the danced drama R&J, [romeo and juliet] are taking to the stage with these divergent art forms to re-tell in modern day, a timeless classic. Grace Arts Center's R&J, is not your grandmother's version of the Shakespearean classic. Billed as a highly interactive, Avant Garde Theatre experience, R&J's artists will engage young audiences with performances in Tri-County South Florida (Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach), beginning on March 6th, 2015 at the Broward Public Library Theatre.

Romeo and Juliet is a timeless story about two young people caught up in a rush of emotions who leave behind their neighborhood of quarrels, trading a future of sorrows for training their beautiful minds! Set in Miami at the turn of 20th Century, the protagonist couple's choices change their lives, the course of their families - and their city forever! Featuring tango and hip hop choreography, spoken word, graffiti arts, original sound tracks and romantic musical scores - this production will enthrall and inspire young and older audiences to think anew!

Clare Vickery, Director of Grace Arts Center, has teamed up with Janet Erlick of the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theater to co-produce R&J. Describing their inspiration behind the project, Erlick says, “It’s always wonderful to introduce Shakespeare to young audiences, as the themes and characters still resonate strongly today… this R&J project adapts the story and adds modern influences, music and multiple art forms to make a truly unique theatrical experience. This past summer, FLCT alumni and students began to explore how to combine hip hop, stage combat, tango and street art to highlight the worlds of the Capulets and Montagues, and the upcoming performances will take that foundational work and expand upon it.”

Gelan Lambert, a Miami native and a Consulting Creative Director for R&J, brings years of experience to the production as and award-winning Julliard Graduate performer and choreographer of The Royal Shakespeare Company of England, The Public Theater, GabeStage, and Ohio University’s Antony & Cleopatra. The cast includes alumni of the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theater including Skylar Voelker, Patrick Hart, and Chad Coolidge, playing lead roles of Juliet, Mercutio, and Ben Volio respectively.  The Choreographers are Diego Santana (Tango) and Robert Fantum Bell (Hip Hop) with original DJ Soundrack by Above Ground Music. Live Grafitti Art by GPK Studios.

Vickery explains that guests can expect, “the blending of two dance styles, classic Shakespeare and spoken word, graffiti arts, and current with retro melodies in a DJ produced soundtrack, with a little bit of South Florida history that punctuates the adaptation of this classic love story. The surprise ending is meant to encourage dialog with the audience about the art forms used and pushing boundaries in the arts while mastering the foundations.” 

Grace Arts Center is the charitable arts programming venture featuring cultural and social events, local filmmaker screenings, poetry readings, musical performances & drama productions for free or at very low cost. Founder of the winter art & antique festival, our facility features local & international multi-disciplinary artists and supports arts and cultural indoor/outdoor fairs. For more information, visit www.gracecafeandgalleries.com.

R&J [romeo and juliet] is sponsored by the Broward County Cultural Division and Culture Builds Florida, and will be performed at the following dates and locations:

March 6, 2015 -Broward Public Library Theater, 6pm 100 S. Andrews Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

March 27, 2015 Light Project at the Goldman Warehouse, 7pm

404 Northwest 26th Street, Miami, FL 33127

Tickets for the events are available at: romeoandjuliet2015.eventbrite.com, and retail for $15, or $25 for a VIP ticket including a reception, Meet & Greet with the cast following the performance.

Student Group Rates available. Workshops surrounding the performances will be announced on www.gracecafeandgalleries.com.

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For more information, to schedule an interview or request a press credential for the performance, contact

Tandi Wilder at She Got Game Media sggmedia305@gmail.com, (914)  572-3671

or

Sara Shake at 954.336.3275 or sara@xpsdpr.com.