Finding Love in Shakespeare

Cecilia Sayre (left) and Luke Sayre (right)

One of the greatest joys of working in theater is watching it bring people together. This is especially true of Luke and Cecilia Sayre, faithful veterans of Ghostlight’s Shakespeare productions and participants in other local community theaters. Their credits include roles at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock, Summit University, and the Wyoming County Players. Julius Caesar will be Cecilia’s third show with Ghostlight, and Luke’s sixth. This year, the couple are taking on the roles of Metellus (Luke) and Cinna (Cecilia): two conspirators in the plot against Caesar. Today, Cecilia tells us a little more about how they met, and the two explain why their characters want Caesar dead.
 
I understand that you two met through Ghostlight! Tell me how that happened. 
Well, Luke had done shows with everyone previously, and I had wanted to audition for a couple of years. It was funny because they did consider using us for the characters Romeo and Juliet, even though I don't think we actually read opposite each other. We were there at the same time, but we weren't aware of each other at all...until the first read-through. Luke swears that when I walked in that night, time stood still for him and he just knew God was telling him he would marry me. The rest is kind of history! I remember he would stare at me during rehearsal (thinking he was being super nonchalant about it), and I kept trying to catch him in the act, so that I could just say 'Hi' thinking he might stop staring at me if I did.
Finally our director started pairing people off for the party scene, and put us together. Luke was looking anywhere but at me, even though we were supposed to be dancing together....so I grabbed his chin and said 'Focus!' It was supposed to just be a joke of course, but I didn't realize how funny and ironic it would be that such a thing would really be the first time I ever spoke to him in the long run!
 
Do you generally do theater together or do you get involved individually as well? 
Since we met, I don't think we have done a show without each other. We love that this is a joint interest for us, and use it as a way to grow together. That doesn't mean we wouldn't do a production solo, but it just hasn't happened yet. We go to auditions together, and it has just happened so far that we have both always been offered roles.
 
What kind of theater do you prefer? 
I have a soft spot for musicals whereas Luke has always been a sucker for the more dramatic pieces (murder mysteries and the like).
 
Describe who you are playing and how they feel about Caesar.
Cecilia: Cinna is a career politician, who actually pays attention to the cues around her. She notices when the little lines start getting crossed by the others in politics, and she finds that kind of behavior disturbing. She loves what Rome is to be, and knows that if the little lines get crossed, it puts the government onto the fast track of becoming a dictatorship. I see the type of power-hungry attitude in Caesar that leads down a road I do not desire for Rome, and I am afraid that the government's proper function can't stay intact with her sitting 'at the head of the table'. I don't like the idea of killing... In fact I don't really even know how to use a weapon. I have always lived a politicians life. I do, however, think something must be done for the good of Rome, and while I don't want to kill, I do want to save the people I care about.
 
Luke: Metellus is a career soldier. He doesn’t much care for politics and would rather keep clear of it. Like many in the military Metellus has bled and lost friends for the sake of Rome; with this perspective in mind he will do whatever it takes to preserve his country. Metellus has had numerous dealings with Ceasar in the past, and has even used Ceasar’s influence to gain higher position in the military. As a result, Metellus has very little respect for Ceasar and sees her as inconsistent and easily influenced. It isn’t hard to imagine Metellus killing Ceasar for the sake of Rome, after all no one wants to see a puppet take command, not unless they are on the other side of the strings.
 
What kind of person will love this show? 
Cecilia: I think almost anyone could love this show! I think the political nuances and themes are enough to keep people interested in the story-line, but on the other side of that coin, there is enough action to keep your eyes focused, even when no one is talking.

Luke: I think this show could be enjoyable for anyone who is prepared to sit down and think. Julius Ceasar is not a production for the faint of heart. The parallels that can be drawn between Rome and present day are thought provoking to say the least.

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