Theater students traveled back in time to the 15th century in celebration of the renaissance. Students prepared monologues, duets, and group scenes from the bard himself, Shakespeare, for the largest contest for renaissance scenes in Texas.

“This contest has gotten bigger each year, with at least 50 contestant entries in each category,” theater teacher Aaron Johnson said. “This marks the seventh year in a row McNeil has taken home at least one of the awards in the group scene, duet, or monologue category.”

Nineteen actors loaded up on a dawn-lit bus to travel to Todd Mission, Texas for the 41st annual Texas Renaissance Festival. Students from all over the state converge to put their acting chops to the age old test.  

“It was really interesting to go to Ren Fest,” junior Jaycie LItteral said. “It feels like you’re going back in time. Everyone who works there stays in character and is all dressed up.”

The festival itself lives within a time capsule. Once through the gates, there exists a bustling world almost untouched by modern society. People put up their phones to live in a now-extinct world. One may strike up conversations with knights and barbarians, princesses and fairies. Stores with open doors beckon festival-goers to gawk and gaze at their wares. One may purchase a sword or suit of armor and charge through the food hall to grab steaming turkey legs and a steak on a stick. Once fed, one may witness a horseback joust or duel with swords against a worthy foe.

The real magic of the festival lies in the intriguing scenes performed by students across the state. Almost every area of the fair contains a stage used to give breath back to the bard’s renowned words. From monologues to duets and group scenes, tales of tragedy and comedy were shouted out in today’s modern air.

Litteral, took home second place in monologues with her performance of Hero from Much Ado About Nothing.  

“I never go to actually compete, only to perform,” Litteral said. “After my performance, I felt like I did a relatively fine job, but it wasn’t my best, which made winning even more surprising.”