Welcome to Shakespeare Youth Festival LA 2026
This season, we took on an exciting challenge. Our company of sixteen actors became a mini-repertory ensemble, tackling two plays – Romeo & Juliet and Cymbeline. Each actor appears in both productions, taking a more substantial role in one and a supporting role in the other. By doing so, we not only gave all of our actors the challenge they crave, but also enhanced the stories we’re telling through their shared experiences across the Dramatis Personae.
The common themes between these two plays are numerous! In both, young lovers are torn apart by disapproving parents and mismatched social status or family feuds. In both, their separation is deepened by false reports (what we now might call “fake news.”) In both, our heroine faces the prospect of being married off to someone she doesn’t love. And, improbably enough, in both, she takes a potion that makes her appear dead for a time! Was that really a thing back in the Renaissance?!?
If you haven’t already, we hope you’ll consider seeing both shows! If this were an English class, we might assign a compare-and-contrast essay—but we’ll let you off the hook.
Our players are taking on the challenge of bringing these stories to life. What can you do to support them? One of the things we love most about Cymbeline is its blend of comedy and tragedy, so please feel free to laugh if you’re moved to do so! And, of course, while you’re in the performance space, please silence your phones and give our young artists your full attention.
Enjoy the show!
Dramatis Personae (in order of appearance)
The Gossips Veronica Sefrioui
Hannah Gumpert
The Queen Ondine Taylor
Posthumus, Alexander Gumpert
Imogen, daughter to the King Talula Worth
Cymbeline, the King Dash Kirkley
Pisania Pia inchaurregui
Cloten Atlas Taylor
His Lords Hannah Gumpert
Katya Pontell
Iachimo Kairo Pontell
Helen, a lady-in-waiting Arrow Hudson
Philario David Landaverde-Chavez
Frenchman Veronica Sefrioui
Cornelius, a doctor Hirshl Hickman
Lucius, envoy from Rome Patrick Magaña
Belarius Magnolia Hart Wallace
Guiderius Veronica Sefrioui
Arviragus Katya Pontell
The Gaolers Kairo Pontell
Hirshl Hickman
Synopsis
King Cymbeline of Britain rules under Rome’s protection. When he learns that his daughter, Imogen, has secretly married his low-born ward, Posthumus Leonatus, he banishes him in fury. Before parting, the couple exchange a bracelet and ring as pledges of love.
In Italy, Posthumus boasts of Imogen’s faithfulness. Scheming Iachimo wagers he can seduce her to prove otherwise. Visiting Britain, he gains Imogen’s trust, persuades her to guard his chest overnight, and hides inside. Emerging while she sleeps, he steals her bracelet and notes intimate details to convince Posthumus of her betrayal. Enraged, Posthumus orders his servant Pisania to kill Imogen.
Pisania, loyal to her mistress, helps Imogen flee disguised as a boy named Fidele. Meanwhile, her foolish stepbrother Cloten, rejected by Imogen, pursues her to Wales wearing Posthumus’s clothes. There, two young hunters—Polydore and Cadwal—live with their father, Morgan. They befriend Fidele, but when Cloten arrogantly challenges them, they kill and behead him. Imogen, having taken what she believes is medicine (a sleeping draught prepared by the Queen’s wary doctor), collapses. The hunters, mourning Fidele, place Cloten’s body beside her.
Awakening beside the headless corpse, Imogen believes Posthumus is dead. Roman general Caius Lucius arrives, and disguised Imogen serves him as his page. War erupts after Cymbeline refuses Rome’s tribute. Posthumus, remorseful, fights bravely for Britain, then disguises himself again to be captured with the defeated Romans.
In prison, Posthumus longs for death, while back at court, the Queen dies confessing her plots. When Cymbeline sentences the Romans, “Fidele” pleads for mercy. Iachimo’s confession about Imogen’s ring triggers a cascade of revelations: Posthumus and Imogen recognize each other, and the hunters are revealed as Cymbeline’s lost sons, stolen years before by Morgan—actually Belarius, a banished noble. Reunited with his children & reconciled with Rome, Cymbeline forgives his enemies and restores peace.
Would you like me to make the shortened version sound more formal and academic, or keep it in this clear narrative tone?
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Our Production Team
Director … Julia Walker Wyson
Assistant Directors
Alessandra Mañon
Kila Packett
Anja Racić
Esdras Touissaint
Fight Choreography … Kila Packett & Esdras Toussaint
Dramaturg … Margot Waldman
Artistic Associate … Julia Eschenasy
Technical Director … Pastiche Queen
Special Thanks to
Our incredible parents for all of their support during this odyssey – driving, donating meals and snacks, running lines, and so much more.
Julie Gumpert for coordinating cast meals during our busy Tech schedule.
Zeke and the staff of the Hudson Theatres – we feel so welcome in this space, and we deeply appreciate all your generous support!
Our seniors, Talula Worth, Hirshl Hickman, and Magnolia Hart Wallace! Talula and Hirshl, we thank you for sharing your gifts with us over the years, and Magnolia, we are delighted that you joined our troupe this year! We wish you all the very best in your next act!