The crowd is hushed, the lights dim, the curtain pulls and the magic of Romeo and Juliet begins. Cooper Middle School‘s Advanced Theater class ventured to Langley for the first ever performance of Romeo and Juliet.

Langley’s Theater Program used this opportunity to open younger theater students’ eyes to how good high school theater can be.  Junior Kathleen Welch, who played Juliet, said, “Having the Cooper drama students to see Romeo and Juliet was a good way to showcase our abilities and draw in future theater students.”

Langley theater students also hope to catch these young theater students’ attentions through this unique experience. “It was a cool opportunity for them because it gets them excited to join Langley drama,” said sophomore Andrew Rhee.

Cooper drama students enjoyed the experience because it was a sneak peek at the next four years in Langley theater will entail for them. “It gave us a look into what we will be doing in high school,” said Cooper eighth grader Luna Walker.

In addition, the middle schoolers got a preview of freshman year English. Rhee added, “The play is a nice connection to them reading Romeo and Juliet next year.”

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Photos by Harris LaTeef