Welcome to “As You Like It”

As You Like It is one of Shakespeare’s most produced plays. Written circa 1599, it was one of the first plays performed at the original Globe Theater in London. As the introspective Jacques quotes, “All the world’s a stage,” Elizabethan audiences would have imagined the floor boards as a playground with the power to transport actors to any land or time. Our production has a bit of old world eloquence and contemporary nuance. Shakespeare was well versed in gender-bending characters, and this is one of the main plot devices.  As the head strong heroine, Rosalind, captures our attention with intelligent speeches (the most lines of any female role in Shakepeare’s canon), courageous wit, and sarcastic humor, it becomes clear that she invites us into a world where shape shifting is key to survival. She may not seem like someone who falls in love at first sight, but we are delighted to accompany her journey in order to get what she wants and on her own terms.  With a cast of motley players, As You Like It remains a favorite of Shakepeare’s pastoral comedies. Equipped with clever disguises, budding romances, and dramatic twists, there is no doubt current day sitcoms have been influenced by this entertaining literary gem. 

Thank you for supporting live theater and our young players. 

Kila Packett and Esdras Toussaint

Our Players are taking on the challenge of telling this story. What can you do to support them? While you are in the performance space, please keep your phone off and give them your full attention. But before you turn your phone off, we encourage you click here to read a synopsis of the story.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE (in order of appearance)

Orlando … Celeste Berzer, 12
Adam, his old servant … Cassia Dillard, 10
Oliver, Orlando’s brother … Teddy Lukas, 13
Charles the Wrestler … Anchor Dillard, 8
Celia … Maribelle Martin, 11
Rosalind, her cousin … LydiaJane Dillard, 12
Touchstone, the court clown … Cassia Dillard, 10
Le Beau, the court gossip … Ela Horvitz, 10 
Duke Frederick, Celia’s father … Harrison Washburn, 11
Duke Senior, banished … Ace Rosenthal
Corin, a shepherd … Teddy Lukas, 13
Silvius, his son … Anchor Dillard, 8
Amiens, a musician … Arrow Hudson, 13
Jaques, a melancholy lord … Harrison Washburn, 11
Audrey, a goatherd … Ela Horvitz, 10
Phebe, a shepherdess … Arrow Hudson, 13
William, in love with Audrey … Teddy Lukas, 13

As You Like It Production Team

Kila Pickett … Director

Esdras Toussaint … Director

Sasha Santa Cruz … Stage Manager/Technical Director

Zoë O’Brien … Artistic Associate

Julia Walker Wyson … Artistic Director

Special Thanks to

Our parents, for their invaluable support to our Players

Marisa Miller, Valerie Washburn & Christina Dillard for keeping our cast fed during Tech rehearsals

Zeke and the staff of the Hudson Theatres – we feel so welcome in this space, and we deeply appreciate all your generous support!

Shakespeare Youth Festival

Julia Walker Wyson, Artistic Director
J. Bailey Burcham, Executive Director

Summer with SYF 2025

Summer with SYF 2025

Registration is now open for Summer with SYF 2025 – a fantastic way to introduce kids to Shakespeare!

Each session meets Monday through Friday, and culminates with a recital, sharing the work with parents, friends and the community.

We believe that every child who is drawn to this work should be able to participate, so once again this Summer, tuition will be Pay-What-You-Can. If you are able to pay something, your contribution will help us reach more children!

Register here

#SHAKESPEARE

#SHAKESPEARE

Our Summer Players will be immersed in the world of Shakespeare, where universal themes of love, ambition, and power continue to resonate deeply in our contemporary lives. We will be bridging the gap between the Bard’s timeless works and the modern experiences of our young Players. Together, we’ll discover how his characters and stories reflect their own struggles and triumphs. We’ll connect the past with the present, inspiring our Players to see themselves in the mirror of Shakespeare’s masterpieces. Join us to unlock the power of Shakespeare in shaping the next generation of thinkers, artists, and leaders.

ACTING EXPLORATIONS
Our explorations may include:

  • Romeo & Juliet
  • Much Ado about Nothing
  • Troilus & Cressida
  • Two Gentlemen of Verona
  • Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • and more!!

GRADES 2 through 8 (Fall 2025)

DATES
July 7 – 11
Monday through Friday – 10 am to 3 pm

COST
Pay what you can.
We believe that every child who is drawn to this work should be able to participate. If you are able to pay something, your contribution will help us reach more children!

Dragons and Serpents and Spells, Oh My!

Dragons and Serpents and Spells, Oh My!

Immerse Yourself in the Magic of Shakespeare and Fantasy This Summer!

Join us as we explore how the Bard’s timeless tales of magic, adventure, and romance have inspired generations of fantasy writers to create the magic of Percy Jackson, The Chronicles of Narnia and more. Our campers will delve into the rich connections between Shakespeare’s plays and the fantasy genre, fostering a deeper appreciation for both. Whether you’re a budding actor, writer, or simply a lover of fantasy and Shakespeare, this summer camp promises to be an adventure you’ll never forget!

ACTING EXPLORATIONS
Our plays may include:

  • Cymbeline
  • Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • Macbeth
  • The Tempest
  • The Winter’s Tale
  • Comedy of Errors
  • and many more!!

GRADES 2 through 8 (Fall 2025)

DATES
July 14 – 18
Monday through Friday – 10 am to 3 pm

COST
Pay what you can.
We believe that every child who is drawn to this work should be able to participate. If you are able to pay something, your contribution will help us reach more children!

Welcome to “Troilus and Cressida”

What is it about this play that cries out for a dystopian interpretation? Stick a group of humans in an untenable situation and watch as they desperately try to apply some sort of social order. The never-ending conflict between Trojan and Greek evokes countless literary and pop culture references—from Lord of the Flies to The Last of Us to Yellowjackets, and the list goes on. And who better to explore this than a group of teens – we love our dystopian fiction! 

Troilus and Cressida features a troubled world, with conflicting groups trapped in a stalemate, and classic mythological heroes who are altogether too human and flawed. The play doesn’t end with a perfect climax – we don’t get that satisfying catharsis where the good guys win and bad guys get what they deserve. We’re not even sure who the good guys and the bad guys are!

Sounds like a drag … but this rehearsal process has been anything but! The passion and creativity of our cast has transformed a seemingly bleak narrative into a shared experience of discovery and camaraderie. We’ve dug into the humor and relatability in the characters’ struggles, and bonded over the challenges of portraying flawed characters, empathizing with their motivations while also critiquing their actions. We hope that our production will make you feel, make you laugh, and make you think!

Our Players are taking on the challenge of telling this story. What can you do to support them? While you are in the performance space, please keep your phone off and give them your full attention. But before you turn your phone off, we encourage you to use the QR code to read a synopsis of the story.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Dramatis Personae

THE GREEK CAMP
Agamemnon, a general … Pia Inchaurregui, 14
Ulysses, a commander … Hannah Gumpert, 15
Nestor, a commander … Atlas Taylor, 14
Diomedes, a commander … Ondine Taylor, 14
Menelaus, a commander … Kairo Pontell, 14
Achilles, a warrior … Dash Kirkley, 13
Patrocles, his best friend … Rowan Kemmerer, 13
Ajax, a warrior … Pierra Rozen-Nowac, 15
Thersites, his servant … Simon Manfredi, 12
Calchas, A Trojan defector … Hannah Love Jones, 14

THE TROJAN CAMP
Hector, Prince of Troy … David E. Landaverde-Chavez, 14
Troilus, Prince of Troy … Alexander Gumpert, 13
Paris, Prince of Troy … Hannah Love Jones, 14
Priam, King of Troy … Ondine Taylor, 14
Cassandra, their sister … Pierra Rozen-Nowac, 15
Cressida, daughter of Calchas … Veronica Sefrioui, 14
Alexandra, her friend … Rowan Kemmerer, 13
Pandarus, her uncle … Kairo Pontell, 14
Aeneas, a commander … Katya Pontell, 16
Andromache, wife to Hector … Hannah Love Jones, 14
Helen, the reason … Katya Pontell, 16
Antenor, a commander … Rowan Kemmerer, 13

Troilus and Cressida Production Team

Julia Wyson … Director
Anja Racić … Assistant Director
Alessandra Mañon … Assistant Director
Sasha Santa Cruz … Stage Manager/Technical Director
Ace Rosenthal … Assistant Stage Manager
Jesse Waldman … Dramaturg
Julia Eschenasy … Artistic Associate
Katya Pontell … Costume Design & Construction
Kairo Pontell … Costume Design & Construction
Zissy Rozen-Nowac … Cassandra Dress

Special Thanks to

Julie Gumpert, Jennie Kemmerer, Ashley Pontell, and Francesca Runza for keeping our Players fed during Techs
Zeke and the staff of the Hudson Theatres – we feel so welcome in this space, and we deeply appreciate all your generous support!

Shakespeare Youth Festival

Julia Walker Wyson, Artistic Director
J. Bailey Burcham, Executive Director

Shakespeare Youth Festival LA 2025

Shakespeare Youth Festival LA 2025

We are excited to announce our new season – three plays, to be presented in March of 2025, at the beautiful Hudson Theatre Backstage (6539 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038). The Box Office is now open – reserve your tickets today!

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

Meet Proteus and Valentine in the OG “bro-mantic comedy.”

Saturday, March 8 at 2 pm
Sunday, March 9 at 2 pm

Saturday, March 15 at 2 pm
Sunday, March 16 at 2 pm

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA

Set against the backdrop of post-apocalyptic LA, it’s the anti-Romeo & Juliet

Saturday, March 22 at 5 pm
Sunday, March 23 at 5 pm

Saturday, March 29 at 5 pm
Sunday, March 30 at 5 pm

AS YOU LIKE IT

Cross-dressing women, a professional “fool,” and mass weddings galore.

Saturday, March 22 at 1 pm
Sunday, March 23 at 1 pm

Saturday, March 29 at 1 pm
Sunday, March 30 at 1 pm


As You Like It – Synopsis

Orlando, the youngest son of the recently-deceased Sir Roland de Boys, is treated harshly by his eldest brother, Oliver. Bitter and angry, Orlando challenges the court wrestler, Charles, to a fight. When Oliver learns of the fight, Oliver tells Charles to injure Orlando if possible.

Duke Frederick has recently deposed his brother, Duke Senior, as head of the court. But he allowed Senior’s daughter, Rosalind, to remain, and she and Celia, the new Duke’s daughter, watch the wrestling competition. During the match, Rosalind falls in love with Orlando, who beats Charles. Rosalind gives Orlando a chain to wear; in turn, he is overcome with love.  

Shortly after, Orlando is warned of his brother’s plot against him and seeks refuge in the Forest of Arden. At the same time, and seemingly without cause, Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind. She decides to seek shelter in the Forest of Arden with Celia. They both disguise themselves: Rosalind as the young man Ganymede and Celia as his shepherdess sister Aliena. Touchstone, the court fool, also goes with them. 

In the Forest of Arden, the weary cousins happen upon Silvius, a lovesick shepherd. Silvius was in the act of declaring his feelings for Phoebe, a scornful shepherdess. Ganymede buys the lease to the property of an old shepherd who needs someone to manage his estate. Ganymede and Aliena set up home in the forest. Not far away, and unaware of the newcomers, Duke Senior is living a simple outdoor life with his fellow exiled courtiers and huntsmen. Their merriment is interrupted by the arrival of Orlando, who seeks nourishment for himself and his servant. The two men are welcomed by the outlaw courtiers.

Ganymede and Aliena find verses addressed to Rosalind hung on the forest branches by Orlando. Ganymede finds Orlando and proposes to cure Orlando of his love. To do this, Orlando will woo Ganymede as if he were Rosalind (even though “he” really is . . . Rosalind). Orlando consents and visits Ganymede/Rosalind every day for his lessons. In the meantime, the shepherdess Phoebe has fallen for Ganymede while the shepherd Silvius still pursues her.  Furthermore, Touchstone, the court fool, has dazzled a country girl, Audrey, with his courtly manners. Audrey deserts her young suitor, William, for him.

When Duke Frederick hears Orlando disappeared at the same time as Rosalind and Celia, he orders Oliver to the forest to seek his brother. In the forest, Orlando saves Oliver’s life, injuring his arm in the process. Oliver runs into Ganymede and Aliena in the forest and relates this news. Rosalind (disguised as Ganymede) is overcome with her feelings for Orlando. Celia (disguised as Aliena) and Oliver quickly fall in love with one another. Rosalind decides that it is time to end her game with Orlando and devises a plan in which everyone will get married. 

As Ganymede, Rosalind promises Phoebe that they will marry, Celia will marry Oliver, Touchstone will marry Audrey, and Orlando will marry Rosalind. She makes Phoebe promise that if they, for some reason, don’t get married, Phoebe will marry Silvius instead. 

On the day of the wedding, and with the help of the god Hymen, Rosalind reappears in her female clothes. Duke Senior gives her away to Orlando, while Phoebe accepts Silvius. Orlando’s other older brother returns from college with the news that Celia’s father, Duke Frederick, has left court to become a hermit. Thus, everyone is happy (except maybe Phoebe, who marries someone she doesn’t love and Silvius, who marries someone who doesn’t love him). The play ends with a joyful dance to celebrate the four marriages.

Troilus & Cressida – Synopsis

As our play opens, we meet Cassandra, a Trojan princess, daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, cursed by Apollo to have the power of prophecy but never be believed, who sets the scene, describing the years of war caused by her brother Paris stealing Helen from the Greek commander, Menelaus. Troilus, also brother to Cassandra, is madly in love with Cressida, who remained in Troy when her father Calchus defected to the Greeks, but he can’t seem to connect, so he asks her uncle, Pandarus, to play matchmaker. Pandarus sings Troilus’s praises to Cressida, as they watch the Trojan and Greek soldiers parade, but she hides her feelings, not wanting to risk getting hurt, or seeming too forward. 

Meanwhile, at the Greek camp, general Agamemnon and his commanders Ulysses, Nestor, Menelaus and Diomedes are grousing about the never-ending war. Their great soldier, Achilles, is refusing to fight. Instead, Achilles spends his time hanging around his tent complaining about his Greek commanders with his pal Patroclus, and Thersites, a scurrilous Greek servant. Ulysses and Nestor hatch a plot to make Achilles jealous by proclaiming that there will be a lottery to determine who will fight the Trojan prince, Hector (brother to Troilus and Paris). When Ajax and Achilles learn of this, havoc ensues. The Greeks do their best to foster this havoc, praising and pandering to Ajax, and ignoring Achilles. 

Back in Troy, King Priam argues with his sons, Hector and Paris. Paris had stolen Menelaus’s wife Helen seven years previously, starting the Trojan War. The arguments concern whether they should return Helen and end the conflict. But they decide to continue fighting. The princes’ sister, Cassandra, prophesises destruction for all. Their younger brother, Troilus, is increasingly distracted from the conflict by his love for Cressida.

Cressida’s uncle, Pandarus finally manages to get Troilus and Cressida to connect. They proclaim their love and all seems to be going well, but that same day, Cressida’s father arranges to exchange his daughter for a Trojan prisoner. Despite her protests, Cressida is sent away to join her father. Cressida and Troilus swear eternal loyalty to one another. 

The day of the “Hector vs. Greatest Greek Warrior” dawns, and Cressida arrives at the Greek Camp, accompanied by Diomedes, who seems to have appointed himself her protector, and who rescues her when the Greeks get a little too snarky. The Trojans enter the camp to learn that the commanders have set Ajax to fight rather than Achilles. But no sooner than they begin the duel than Hector withdraws from the fight because Ajax is related to his family. Achilles invites the Trojans to his tent to party. Meanwhile, the Greek slave Thersites rails against all mankind and the stupidity of war and conflict.

As the post-fight festivities wind down, Troilus has secretly crept away to find Cressida. Cressida does not know that he is near, and Troilus and Ulysses overhear as she talks to and flirts with Diomedes. Heartbroken, Troilus realises that Cressida has broken her vows of faithfulness. He returns to the city to fight against the Greeks.

In the final battle, Hector kills Patroclus, motivating Achilles to finally join the fighting. While originally overcome by Hector, Achilles succeeds in trapping him. Hector, unarmed, is slaughtered by Achilles. Troilus swears revenge for his brother’s death and also (inwardly) for the loss of Cressida and his youthful innocence. Pandarus, Cressida’s uncle, cynically ends the play. He sees no hope for a world where politics overrule the desires and needs of the individual.

Two Gentlemen of Verona – Synopsis

Young friends Valentine and Proteus say farewell to one another as Valentine heads off for college, while Proteus is happy to stay home, as he is madly in love with his girlfriend, Julia. He has asked his pal, Speed, to deliver a letter, and find out whether Julia likes him (how Middle School of them!!), but Speed is not the greatest go-between. Meanwhile, Julia’s friend, Lucetta, gives her the letter from Proteus. Despite Julia’s outward nonchalance, she is delighted to have proof of his love for her.

Unfortunately, thanks to the gossipy Panthino, Proteus’ father Antonio decides that his son needs to stop being idle and sends him to follow Valentine, joined by Lance, his pal, and Lance’s dog Crabb.

Meanwhile, Valentine has fallen in love with Silvia, daughter of the Duke (AKA the President of the college). Speed, Valentine’s quick-witted page, helps Valentine realise that his love is reciprocated. Proteus, who had earnestly exchanged rings and vows of faithfulness with Julia before leaving home, arrives, sees Silvia and immediately decides that she is the woman of his dreams.

The Duke has decided to marry off his daughter to the rich and ridiculous Thurio, so Valentine decides to elope with her. However, the jealous Proteus tips off the Duke, and he discovers Valentine with a letter and a rope latterr. Valentine is banished for his scheming and leaves the court with Speed as his companion. In his absence, Proteus pretends to support Thurio, but is, in reality, wooing Silvia. They concoct a plan where Proteus will perform a love poem to help Thurio win her. The fact that Thurio thinks this is a great idea is … well, there’s a reason Silvia isn’t interested!! By the way, Silvia is not interested in Proteus either, and urges him to remember Julia.

In contrast with all this love nonsense, Lance consults with Speed about a potential marriage of practicality and convenience.

Back at home, Lucetta has helped Julia to disguise herself as Sebastian to find Proteus. They meet at the coffeehouse, after Proteus performs the love poem for Silvia, but he doesn’t recognize her … I mean, she is wearing a hat!!! He immediately enlists her to help him in his pursuit, sending her to collect a photo promised by Silvia. Silvia, meanwhile, is pining for Valentine, and persuades Eglamour to accompany her in a search for him.

The banished Valentine is captured by a band of renegade outlaws who make him their captain. Silvia is also captured by the outlaws while Sir Eglamour escapes. The Duke and Thurio take Proteus (followed by Julia/Sebastian) in pursuit of Silvia. When they find her with the outlaws, Proteus rescues her. Despite Silvia’s protests, Proteus attempts to force himself on her, but Valentine stops him.

Julia overhears the young men’s argument and their eventual reconciliation. When she hears Valentine say that he is going to give Silvia to Proteus, Julia faints (or pretends to faint) in front of them. Proteus recognises the ring she carries as the one he gave to Julia. She takes off her hat, revealing her identity, and Proteus claims that he is again in love with her. The outlaws arrive with their captives, the Duke and Thurio. Thurio denies Silvia in response to threats from Valentine, and the Duke decides that Valentine is the better man, pardons the outlaws at his request, and grants him his daughter in marriage. The boys head off to celebrate their good fortune and the upcoming weddings … but what will Julia and Silvia do?

Welcome to “Two Gentlemen of Verona”

DRAMATIS PERSONAE (in order of appearance)

Proteus … Zoe O’Brien
Speed … Talula Worth
Valentine … Ace Rosenthal
Julia … Apollo Manfredi
Lucetta … Cyrus Rose
Panthino … Jaya Rogers
Antonio … Cyrus Rose
Silvia … Dylan Macer
Launce … Arrow Hudson
Crab, the dog … Rufus Fluffy Arrow
Thurio … Cyrus Rose
The Duke … Hirshl Hickman
The Outlaws … Cyrus Rose, Hirshl Hickman, Jaya Rogers
The Host … Jaya Rogers
Glamour … Jaya Rogers

Upon our first reading of “Two Gentlemen of Verona” as a cast, two things became evident: 1) none of these people have a particularly mature, selfless, or generous view of love, and 2) Wow, does this ever feel like it could be written today!! As they say, Shakespeare wrote into the future. The relationship between Proteus and Valentine is right out of a modern day bro-mance, and Shakespeare even manages to work in his own take on the viral Man vs. Bear debate (though he substitutes a lion).

So our cast started exploring the story as a contemporary tale, set in the pre-social media days (as cellphones ruin many of Shakespeare’s plots), and worked on embracing their characters, warts and all. It’s interesting to note that, once the Duke enters and ties up all the loose ends, neither Julia nor Silvia speak again. We take that as Shakespeare giving us license to decide for ourselves how they respond to the behavior they just witnessed – do they make the right decision?

Our Players are taking on the challenge of telling this story. What can you do to support them? While you are in the performance space, please keep your phone off and give them your full attention.

But before you turn your phone off, we encourage you to click here to read a synopsis of the story.

Please note: a real live dog appears in three scenes. If you are severely allergic, we recommend that you select a seat away from the stage.

Two Gents Production Team

Julia Walker Wyson … Director
Anja Racić … Assistant Director
Jesse Waldman … Dramaturg
Sasha Santa Cruz … Stage Manager/Technical Director
Nadya Rozen-Nowac … Costumer
J. Bailey Burcham … Technical Consultant

Special Thanks to 

Our seniors, Dylan Macer, Apollo Manfredi, Cyrus Rose, and Ace Rosenthal – it has been a joy to work with you for these many years, and we wish you all the very best in your next act!

Zeke and the staff of the Hudson Theatres – we feel so welcome in this space, and we deeply appreciate all your generous support!

This production is supported in part by grants from

Shakespeare Youth Festival

Julia Walker Wyson, Artistic Director
J. Bailey Burcham, Executive Director