For those who are in the mood for Shakespeare but short on time, Grayson County College Theatre Department has just the ticket. A special one-hour version of Romeo and Juliet runs Feb. 16-18 in the Cruce Stark Auditorium, located in the Arts & Communication Center on the college’s Main Campus in Denison. Cost is $2.

Robin Robinson, GCC’s theatre director and professor of theatre and speech, adapted an annotated script by David Hundsness of California to bring the romantic tragedy to life, death and moral-of-the-story in 60 minutes. She kept the prose and beauty of the play’s original Shakespearean language, but gave it a contemporary twist by setting it in modern-day New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

“The classic boy-meets-girl and feuding-families storyline has timeless appeal,” Robinson said. “Setting that story in modern times is way to attract new audiences to the theatre. Once there, they find the compelling acting, poetic fluidity of the language, and spectacular scenic devices combine effortlessly to involve them in the story.”

Robinson said the modern twist also brings fun challenges to the cast and crew. Albanie Knight, Denison sophomore, designed costumes and hairstyles that enhance the GCC version’s contemporary focus. Tenna Matthews, professor of theatre, designed lighting to compliment the sets created by GCC alumnus Jared Roberts of Bells.

Roberts built a forced-perspective wall to capture the feel of New Orleans. His challenge was to incorporate the many scene changes without losing the location identity. The visually stunning sets are huge, making full use of the renovated theatre’s space, sound, lighting and other amenities.

GCC alumnus and guest set designer Jared Roberts works to finish one of the many scenes he created for the GCC Theatre Department’s one-hour version of Romeo and Juliet. Shows will be Feb. 16, 17 and 18 in Cruce Stark Auditorium at GCC’s Main Campus.

Before graduating from GCC with his associate’s degree in drama in 2008, Roberts designed multiple shows as a student. His class was the last to perform in the auditorium before its renovations began. His return to GCC as a guest designer is a matter of perfect timing. He had a break between graduating with a bachelor’s degree in technical theatre from West Texas A&M University in Canyon in December and starting graduate studies in the fall.

At first, Roberts had so many ideas that he hit what he described as “designer’s block.” He called Robinson multiple times to discuss the concept and how he wanted it to look and feel, asking questions that he hoped would push him past the block.

“Finally, it came to me and I started sketching,” Roberts said. “It’s been fun to design a show in the new space.”

Robinson said Roberts’ talent and work ethic gave her no qualms about bringing him back as the guest scenic designer. She recognized him as a gifted student and, by keeping up with him, knew that he had continued to grow and perfect his craft during his collegiate career at West Texas.

“There is joy in seeing the cycle; it’s why we teach,” she said. “We give them a foundation and teach them to go on, grow up, get jobs and become artists. It is wonderful to see Jared grow into his own and to welcome him back as a peer.”

Roberts is effusive in his praise of GCC theatre as well.  He asserts that Robinson, Matthews and Thea Albert, also a GCC theatre professor, all pushed him to do a better job no matter what he was doing.

“I couldn’t be more proud to call GCC the place that started it all for me,” he said. “That drive stuck with me at GCC, during my first theatre jobs and at WTAMU. I can’t thank them enough for how much they taught me.”

Another bonus for Roberts is more personal in nature. Working as the guest scenic designer has brought him face to face in a theatrical setting with his brother Justin Roberts, a Bells sophomore, who pulls double duty by playing Lord Montague and serving as props master on the crew.

“This is the first time that we’ve worked together in theatre, and it’s been a real joy,” Roberts said.

The younger Roberts is one of several sophomore cast members, including: Judson Wall of Whitewright as Romeo; Rebecca Carter and Noah Scheibmeir, both of Sherman, as Juliet and Mercutio, respectively; Jessica Huffstetler of Whitesboro as Nurse; Dillon Wooten and Elizabeth Holland, both of Trenton, as Lord Capulet and Lady Montague, respectively; Fabian Garcia of Nevada, Texas, as Paris; and Lori Stewart of Sadler & Southmayd, as Mayor. Sophomores who play multiple roles include: J.J. Battles of Tom Bean, Andrew Steele of Miller Grove and Amber Patrick of Colbert.

Freshmen cast members include: Blake Rice of Savoy as Friar Lawrence; Kasandra Poindexter of Whitewright as Lady Capulet; Wes Hayes of Howe as Benvolio; and Tyler Phillips of Denison as Tybalt. Denison freshmen Jose Gomez and Rodney Hudson play multiple roles.

Joining Robinson, Matthews and both Roberts brothers on the production crew are Garcia, Holland and Steele as assistant lighting designer, makeup designer, and master electrician, respectively. Other sophomore production team members include: Skylar Fulton of Tom Bean as stage manager; Leah Maxson of Sherman as assistant stage manager; Lexi Lehberg of Frisco as light board operator; and Maggie Bergener of Denton as sound board operator. Freshmen crew members are Briana Armijo of Sherman and Rachel Schroeder of Denison, both as running crew and wardrobe.

Romeo and Juliet performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 16; at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 17; and at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 18. Cost is $2 or free with GCC ID. For more information, contact the GCC Theatre Department at 903-463-8609 or theatre@grayson.edu.