Front Row Of ROMEO AND JULIET Is 'Safe' Says Fight Choreographer, Runs 4/23-25

Front Row Of ROMEO AND JULIET Is 'Safe' Says Fight Choreographer, Runs 4/23-25

"I know that as an audience member, I enjoy feeling close to the dramatic action but that doesn't mean I want a dagger in my lap."

So says Tonya Lynn, fight director for the Prime Stage production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

"I have taken care in this production to ensure that the characters' fighting styles are reflective of their personalities, so careful observers will enjoy seeing how Mercutio is inventive and unconventional in his techniques, while Tybalt is a meticulously precise swordsman, and Romeo is an impulsive fighter."

When asked how she approaches fight choreography, Lynn says it's a collaborative effort. She does a complete analysis of the script and then discusses it with the director and the actors. Next, she combines that with the information provided about the context and the actions of each fight. With some shows-like Romeo and Juliet-there is research into period weaponry as well as period fighting manuals.

"The fights are an integral part of the plot and exist to help further telling the story."

Space is always an issue for the fight director. Lynn said, "You don't realize how small a stage can be until you unleash a large-scale mass battle on it." She continued, "The New Hazlett stage is wonderful in that it allows the audience to feel very close to the actors, but it can be a challenge for staging when that performance space becomes full of swinging blades."

"Probably the largest challenge for me was creating a dynamic scene that keeps the audience out of sword range!"

Lynn has high praise for her young performers.

"The actors in this show have a fantastic work ethic and have really committed to learning and executing these fights to a high standard-and it shows in the performance." She added, "You'd never know that some of these actors have never fought on stage with a sword before!"

Lynn brings extensive training to her work in Romeo and Juliet. She began in studying in college, then trained with the Society of American Fight Directors, who has recognized her as an Advanced Actor-Combatant.

In closing, she said, "I am proudest of the way the cast has stepped up to the many choreographic challenges I've set for them; the fights for Romeo and Juliet are rigorous and contain some advanced techniques and complex sequences."

And no daggers end up in the lap of an audience member!

Prime Stage Theatre presents Romeo and Juliet at the New Hazlett Theatre from April 17-25, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $10-20 and are available through ProArts at 412-394-3353.

WHAT: Roeno and Juliet
WHO: Prime Stage Theater
WHEN: Friday, April 23 at 8pm; Saturday, April 24 at 8pm; Sunday April 25 at 2:30pm
WHERE: New Hazlett Theatre on the historic North Side
HOW: Tickets $10-20 through ProArts at 412-394-3353

For more information, visit www.newhazletttheater.org.

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