Colin Plant, a longtime drama teacher at Saanich's Claremont Secondary, was pleasantly surprised this summer to learn that two of his former students were starring in one of the worldB次元官网网址檚 most prestigious theatre events, the Stratford Festival, in a production of Romeo and Juliet. 

Determined to watch them perform, Plant booked a flight to see the show in person.

B次元官网网址淚 began to plan a summer holiday where we could go and see [them],B次元官网网址� said Plant. B次元官网网址淚t was so wonderful to see these boys onstage.B次元官网网址�

After the play, Plant caught up with former students, Jonathan Mason, who portrays Romeo, and Steven Hao, who plays Benvolio, Romeo's cousin.

B次元官网网址淚t was truly wonderful to reconnect with them and hear how their lives had evolved since being students at Claremont,B次元官网网址� Plant said. 

Interestingly, the program Plant taught to Mason and Hao over a decade ago became a foundational influence on their careers. Though they attended Claremont High at different times, both actors recognized the pivotal role Plant played in their development.

For Mason, who hesitated between pursuing sports and the arts, PlantB次元官网网址檚 class proved to be the defining factor in his decision to fully commit to a career in acting.

B次元官网网址淐olin created this great year-long drama program that I signed up for andB次元官网网址� I decided that this is what I wanted to do,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t was really all-encompassing and gave us a chance to experiment.B次元官网网址�

For Hao, who immigrated from XiB次元官网网址檃n, China in 2012, PlantB次元官网网址檚 program served as a bridge for a smooth integration into Canadian culture, as well as providing him community that allowed him to flourish and reach his full potential.

B次元官网网址淚 grew up wanting to be a Hollywood star but in Grade 9, I caught the bug for theatre acting and I just haven't stopped since,B次元官网网址� said Hao. 

After their time at Claremont High, both men serendipitously met years later, thousands of kilometres away, while performing at one of the worldB次元官网网址檚 most prestigious theatre festivals.

Romeo and Juliet

At the beginning of 2024, the two artists auditioned for roles in the 400-year-old Shakespearean tragedy Romeo and Juliet. After several weeks, Mason and Hao received news that they had been cast as Romeo and Benvolio, respectively.

Fortunately for Mason, who had some free time, he prepared for the role by immersing himself in extensive readings and practicing for countless hours with fellow actors. 

Romeo, often seen as a na茂ve young lover who meets a tragic end, is actually a rather complex and nuanced character, noted Mason.

B次元官网网址淔or me, Romeo represents a journey into adulthood,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥ver the course of three days, Romeo goes from being a teenager to being a fully grown man. As he pledges his life and love to [Juliet], he has to fight Tybalt for her, whether he wants to or not, and eventually makes the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life to the woman he loves.B次元官网网址�

While portraying a Shakespearean protagonist presents its challenges, Mason noted that the brilliance of the 16th-century playwright lies in bringing vivid characters to life.

B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 so special about Shakespeare, as opposed to other writers of that era, is that he had the incredible ability to capture the essence of people,B次元官网网址� said Mason. B次元官网网址淲hen you read it, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel like you're reading a writer's perspective that is imposed onto the characters. You really feel like you're reading the perspective of each character.B次元官网网址�

Even after more than four centuries, Mason believes that ShakespeareB次元官网网址檚 play remains relevant in todayB次元官网网址檚 contemporary context. Beneath the romance of two Italian youths caught in the crosshairs of their feuding noble families lies a profound poetic essence.

B次元官网网址淭he tragedyB次元官网网址� is that they felt they had no other recourse when all they wanted to do was love another person,B次元官网网址� Mason said. B次元官网网址淚t wasn't the fact that they loved each other that was wrong. What was so tragic was that they weren't allowed to love each other.B次元官网网址�

Hao, who shares the same appreciation for Shakespeare, added the playwrightB次元官网网址檚 talent for crafting relatable characters facilitated his transition into his role.

B次元官网网址淏envolio is RomeoB次元官网网址檚 cousin as well as his confidant and I think one of his closest friends,B次元官网网址� said Hao. B次元官网网址淗e's very grounded and seeks peace even though the world that we operate in, as our director would say, is a world of violence. Benvolio in Italian literally means goodwill, so I think that sums up his character perfectly.B次元官网网址� 

Throughout his adolescence, the actor noted that Shakespeare offered more than just entertainment; it served as a means to learn English and connect with his new homeland.

After years of hard work, Hao now feels fortunate to be part of a rich legacy of actors who have trod the stage of the Stratford Festival all the while breaking new barriers.

B次元官网网址淚'm overwhelmingly grateful toB次元官网网址� work as an actor, do what I love the most and share it with hundreds of people,B次元官网网址� said Hao. B次元官网网址淏eing Asian Canadian, it's a special thing toB次元官网网址� not only work but also break the mould in the Western canon.

"I feel quite tremendous and I have a lot of pride.B次元官网网址�

Equally proud, Mason noted that playing Romeo marks a significant milestone in both his personal life and career.

B次元官网网址淚t means everything to me,B次元官网网址� said Mason. B次元官网网址淣ot to get too cheesy, but it was a lifelong dream. When I was a kid, there was a Stratford Festival poster always hanging on a wall [at home] and to me, the pinnacle of doing classical theatre in North America was at the Stratford Festival."

B次元官网网址淭o be able to do a show that's a three-hour meditation on love is the greatest gift I could have been given in my acting career.B次元官网网址�

Having played twice a week since May and continuing through the end of October, while also performing understudy roles in between, the two actors noted that this summer kept them busy. 

When asked about their plan following the festival, both mentioned migrating to Toronto to pursue respective projects in theatre. However, both mentioned having an interest in making it onto television or the silver screen. 

Nonetheless, Plant is sure his former students have what it takes to succeed in their new endeavours.

B次元官网网址淎fter watching them shine this past summer I have no doubt they will continue to leave their mark in Canadian theatre in the future,B次元官网网址� said Plant.