The University of North Florida’s student organization, UNF Shakespeare, put on a production of “As You Like It” in April at the J.B. Coxwell Amphitheater on campus.
UNF Shakespeare is a student group that is organized by the UNF English Department that produces Shakespeare theater performances. This performance is the first time since 2023 that UNF Shakespeare has put on a play at the amphitheater, according to the producer, Will Pewitt.
The organization produces performances throughout the semester. The first performances of “As You Like It,” which were in audio and excerpt form, were performed at the end of February. The first full performance was on Feb. 28 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, according to the website for Pewitt’s artistic projects.
UNF Shakespeare produced Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet in 2025, according to the website.
Pewitt said that while some plays rely on a couple of characters to do most of the dialogue, this comedy requires the whole cast to be strong.
Pewitt said that he enjoyed working with this creative cast. While he was there to direct and guide the actors, he said that he gave them room to improvise and come up with comedic ideas.
“The actors are great because they put in the work, and they’re really creative,” Pewitt said, “but also, we’ve made space for those actors to try different things and get their timing and their voice cadence, and basically taking feedback from me along the way.”
While the play kept the original Renaissance theme and setting, it was shortened to a third of the original length, according to Pewitt. The runtime of the play was about an hour and contained only three scenes, according to Aaliah Salazar, who played Celia, Rosalind’s cousin.
Salazar said that she has been doing theater since high school and wanted to join UNF Shakespeare since they came to perform at her high school.
Salazar said that Celia is very supportive and loyal to Rosalind.
“Her most defining quality is her loyalty to Rosalind when Rosalind is banished to the forest of Arden,” said Salazar.
___
For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email protected].
