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Bruinbard takes a stab at understanding political violence in “Julius Caesar”

The cast and crew of Bruinbard’s upcoming rendition of “Julius Caesar” sit at a roundtable and prepare for their performance. The student-run theater company will premiere their newest production Nov. 23 and Nov. 24. (Courtesy of Elsa Rochelson)

By Kayla Williams

Oct. 14, 2024 2:43 p.m.

This post was updated Nov. 5 at 7:26 p.m.

UCLA’s Shakespeare Company – also known as Bruinbard – is stabbing at political violence and its consequences with a rendition of “Julius Caesar.”

Bruinbard’s “Julius Caesar” is set to debut with two shows Nov. 23 and 24 in the Charles E. Young Grand Salon, located in Kerckhoff Hall. The student-run theater company kicked off auditions for the classic play’s 15 roles this September. Approximately three months prior, Bruinbard called for director applications, inspiring second-year theater student James Stutts to take on the job, initiating the process of Bruinbard’s newest production. Although not considered when Stutts was first selected to direct the show, the two assassination attempts against former President Trump that followed changed the way Stutts looked at the theme of political violence in “Julius Caesar,” Stutts said.

“I submitted this piece, because particularly for me, in the political discourse right now, I think there’s an elephant in the room – which is political violence – and what role does political violence play in how our politicians and the citizens of the country interact with each other,” Stutts said.

[Related: HOOLIGAN Theatre Company explores the ‘art of making art’ through upcoming musical]

Newly set in the 1920sand adapted into three acts from the original five, Bruinbard’s “Julius Caesar” is anticipated to be more accessible and focused on the political assassination as a pivotal moment in the play, Stutts said. For Stutts, major characters such as Caesar and Mark Antony ultimately mirror the infamous American political figures from the 1920s, allowing Bruinbard to implement the important history from that decade.

Reflecting on the new changes within the Shakespearean piece, Salem Hansen, a second-year theater major with an emphasis in design and production who serves as the show’s scenic designer, is hoping to incorporate a combination of architecture from the 1920s and Ancient Rome in the set design. The combination of modern and classic architecture is symbolic and exemplifies how entities and humans constantly repeat themselves in history, Salem said. The 1920s’ influence can be detected through political posters, while the Roman style is included through materials like wicker, Salem added.

Following the competitive auditions held Sept. 29, Bruinbard finalized its 15-person cast, consisting of both theater and non-theater major students. In addition to the directorial position held by Stutts, there are crew members that aid in the production including the lighting, sound, costume and set designers. Ben Cole, a third-year theater student who is the co-producer and artistic director of “Julius Caesar,” said that the production is a beacon of change for Bruinbard this quarter.

“This production … is going to mark what we at Bruinbard are trying to do as a shift to really focusing on revitalizing these old texts and making them feel new and feel exciting, not just looking at them as, ‘these are the classics,’” Cole said. “They’re important to keep alive for historical reasons but instead as stories that can have themes and ideas that are still worth talking about and can still be entertaining and important today.”

Another crucial element of the play is audience engagement, Stutts said. During Caesar’s famous funeral scene, live interaction with the audience will occur, he said. The interactive nature of the “Julius Caesar” production forces the audience to stay engaged and makes them question their role within the atmosphere itself, Cole said. This immersive experience is implemented through various levels, such as actors walking through the audience, and is used as a tool to further engage the crowd, Cole added.

[Related: LCC theater company livestreams UCLA themed Dungeons & Dragons]

Ultimately, throughout the show, Stutts said he hopes to portray the political discourse, complexities and multifaceted aspects of Julius Caesar and his counterparts.

 

“Julius Caesar is a very complicated play, morally, because no one in it can be really considered a good person, ” Stutts said. “That’s part of why we’re doing it during this election cycle because that is also a common thread throughout history, the deceit that’s present in politics and the lying, the backstabbing, the betrayal, which is really at the heart of Julius Caesar.”

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Kayla Williams | External Outreach director
Williams is the 2024-2025 external Outreach director. She is also an Arts contributor and an Opinion columnist. Williams is a second-year political science student.
Williams is the 2024-2025 external Outreach director. She is also an Arts contributor and an Opinion columnist. Williams is a second-year political science student.
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