A cast comprised mostly of Dorchester and Mattapan teens is the latest company of actors to tackle the story of forbidden love set against the vendetta between the two powerful families of Verona. They also are the latest to feel their lives have been changed for the better by immersing themselves in a Shakespearean tragedy.

Next weekend, the Huntington Theatre Company’s Department of Education and Community Programs and Dot’s Codman Academy Charter Public School’s collaboration, the Huntington-Codman Summer Theatre Institute (HCSTI), will offer two public performances of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” on Thurs., July 28 and Fri., the 29th at 7 p.m. at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. Reserve your free tickets at surveymonkey.com/r/SummerInstituteRomeo.

The Summer Theatre Institute is a free program for Codman students. Through the five-week program, students explore the full theatrical process, extending lessons from the school year in literacy, teamwork, and priority-setting and are paid a modest stipend for participating. Over the past 11 years the HCSTI has become a valuable resource to Codman students.  

“At the heart of this play is true love,” says Huntington Manager of Education Operations and “Romeo and Juliet” Director Meg O’Brien. “This love is formed amidst extreme hate and prejudice. Love is what ends the feud. Love is what endures. The hate is defeated and new friendships and loyalties are created. Romeo and Juliet chose love over hate at every turn, and that inspires me. I find this play as important as ever given the nature of our world today. Hate never wins.”

 Both Zachery Taylor-Kelley (Romeo) and Emily Mora (Juliet) hail from Dorchester, and both express their appreciation for what they’ve learned in the process.

Taylor-Kelley can relate with his character. “I identify with Romeo because I know what it’s like to have a love only one person agrees with and to want something you shouldn’t. I also know what it’s like to be young and rambunctious and a little impulsive the way Romeo and his friends are.”

Mora, a rising junior and first time HCSTI participant, says, “Acting allows me to become something better than myself. Participating in theatre has become something more than an obligation. It’s an escape from reality.”

 Mattapan resident Demetrious Moore-Tolbert, who has had lead roles in past HCSTI productions, this time around has the showy part of the mercurial Mercutio. “The Huntington Theatre Company has given me an outlet for the past few years,” he says. “I like that they’ve taught me real life skills that I need to be successful in the world.”

Another Mattapan student, Rachelle Brown-Mitchell, a rising sophomore and first-time participant has had a similar experience. “I not only love being onstage, but also love becoming a different character,” she says. “I love comparing my character’s personality to my own and finding the differences. I love the opportunity to connect with my character on a deeper level.”

Other Dorchester residents in the show include Tre’Jon Carrasquillo (Apothecary), Solomon Dubose (Lord Montague), Jayrelle Fairweather (Prince), Shannon Guppy (Sampson), David Helas (Paris), Ariel Mullings-Bent (Balthasar), Jalanae St. Fort (Lady Capulet), Ave’Zakai Taylor-Kelley (Benvolio) Sheriaha Teixeira (Friar Laurence) Antoinette Webster (Nurse) and Adonis Woods (Tybalt). 

The HCSTI program has been recognized locally and nationally as a model for improving urban students’ reading, writing, speaking, and presentation skills. The partnership between the Huntington and Codman Academy was awarded the Commonwealth Award, the state’s highest award in the arts and culture, by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Codman Academy is the only public school to receive this recognition.