SURREY upon AVON
A youth-led theatre company · Surrey, BC
Theatre by teenagers, for everyone — reviving a new generation's love of the Bard through free, live, unforgettable productions.
Grades 8–12 · All roles open to any age & gender · Form closes September 11
Act I · Now Playing
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Surrey Upon Avon presents
Shakespeare's most famous tragedy has been told time and time again: two teenagers fighting against fate and family in the face of true love. Everyone knows the story — but as time has gone on, people have slowly begun to forget the importance of theatre and Shakespeare.
This radical take on the classic play, set in the vibrant 1970s, is youth-led, widely accessible, and an amazing chance for teenagers to get involved in their community. Juliet and her Romeo head the show in their quick, reckless love — while Mercutio, Friar Lawrence, and the Nurse steal the audience's hearts. This comedy-turned-tragedy pulls you in, only to send you out shaken, heartbroken, and reminded of why theatre matters in the first place.
Act II · Auditions
Open to all students in grades 8–12 — every role open to any age and gender, no experience needed.
Roles, sides, dates, requirements — everything you need to audition lives in one document. Read it, film your sides, and hit send.
Audition form closes September 11
Then send your filmed sides to
surreyuponavon@gmail.com"Start my audition email" opens your mail app with the subject line and a fill-in-the-blanks template ready to go.
Act III · Our Mission
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Surrey Upon Avon is a youth-led theatre company based in Surrey, British Columbia, dedicated to making the works of William Shakespeare accessible to fellow high school students through performance and education.
Shakespeare's plays have shaped English literature, language, and storytelling for over 400 years — but art does not survive if it is not shared. Too many young people experience Shakespeare as inaccessible or intimidating. We believe these stories deserve to be experienced as they were intended: live, engaging, and shared with a community.
Shakespeare's language can be challenging — it has often left high schoolers, one of the groups most exposed to it through daily English classes, feeling bored, confused, and stupid. No one enjoys feeling that way, and young people write Shakespeare off as a result. Through dynamic performances, we make his plays easier to understand while preserving the richness of the original text.
Cost should never be a barrier to experiencing live theatre. Affordability is another reason high schoolers are dissuaded from Shakespeare — so Surrey Upon Avon presents its productions entirely free of charge. It's one more step in opening up the Shakespeare space to more people.
Contrary to the belief that Shakespeare is reserved for the elite, his plays were performed in public theatres, watched by audiences from all walks of life — and often performed by teenage actors! Our company is unapologetically young, diverse, queer, and inclusive, creating productions where more people can see themselves reflected both on stage and in the audience.
Above all, we believe Shakespeare should be enjoyable. Whether through comedy, tragedy, history, or romance, our productions are designed to entertain, inspire, and introduce a new generation to one of history's greatest playwrights.