SARASOTA – “Theater will be back, but it’s going to look a little different,” said Charlotte Foster who plays ‘Julia Brutus’ in “Julius Caesar”
When Shakespeare wrote Julius Ceasar, he probably never envisioned it being streamed virtually and shot in a socially distanced way, but the FSU/Asolo Theater had to find a way to adapt to the pandemic.
“My experience was you know, right left up down turn around, it was crazy but it was great but this was such a different experience than anything I’ve ever done before and probably anything I’ll ever do again,” said Foster.
Second year FSU/Asolo Conservatory students typically star in a handful of productions, but this year, the students have filmed two productions in their homes, conservatory studios, and outdoor locations around Sarasota.
“A lot of scenes are shot on green screens, the actor stands alone in front of the green screen and talks to somewhat who is not there, and listens to somebody else who is not there and then our engineer Seaghan McKay puts this all together,” said Jonathan Epstein, Director of “Julius Caesar”
Ptah Garvin, who will plays Calpurnius says one of the main challenges has been acting without an audience.
“With the green screen behind us, and now I’m looking over here and I’m looking at Caesar but Caesar is a lamp and just trying to make sure I just build that bond there,” said Ptah Garvin, who plays ‘Calpurnius’ in “Julius Caesar”
A total of 12 student actors will bring life to characters in the Production of Julius Caesar this year.
The show, which is typically held at Selby Gardens will be available to stream on Asolo Rep’s website from April 7 through the 26th.
You can buy tickets for Julius Ceasar at Asolo Rep’s website here.
