Adapted by Katherine Warmka
Romeo and Juliet: Lottery Style
Adaptation Statement
“Shakespeare’s plays don’t demand that you find the “prettiest” lady to play Juliet. They demand that you listen hard when Romeo tells you that Juliet is the sun.”
- My Life with the Shakespeare Cult
Each unique individual is given the opportunity to explore, discover, and fully experience what love and hate means to them.
The ensemble will work together to create the characters and world of the play based on the unique abilities and personalities of each person in the room. It is about the process: what does it mean to get in a room with other people and create something? When performed, the audience should see the strings; it's about people coming together to tell a story. It’s just a play; the work is never finished.
Meet the Cast and Collaborators
Molly Fabian (she/her) - Ensemble
Molly (she/her) is ecstatic to be part of the creative process for 'Romeo and Juliet: Lottery Style.' She is a current student at the University of Minnesota Duluth, pursuing a BFA in Theatre. Recent stage credits include Stop Kiss (Sara), The Tempest (Ferdinand), Art (Marc), and Dragons Love Tacos (Blue Dragon). Molly truly cherishes the magic of collaboration and the joy of storytelling and is endlessly grateful for the chance to bring characters to life alongside such talented artists.
Olivia Nelson - Ensemble
Olivia Nelson (she/they) is a self-described mover, maker, actor, painter, singer, dancer, lover, learner, and pursuer of joy! She’s super excited for her first time participating in MN Fringe. Last December, she graduated from UMD with BFAs in Acting and Musical Theatre, and an Art Minor. Recent appearances include: Cinderella (Gabrielle), Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Marya), Macbeth: A Dinner Party (Witch), and Main Street (Reporter). One half of @littlelamptheatrecompany, you can also see her in another Fringe show: One Who is Home, a play co-created, performed, and produced with her partner, Irie Unity. olivia-nelson.com
Matthew R. Olsen - Chorus/Capulet, Violence Coordinator
Matthew R. Olsen (he/him) – Actor, Facilitator, Mover Matthew has worked extensively over the last 20 years. As a lover of language select Shakespeare credits include; Twelfth Night, Midsummer, Much Ado (OSSO), Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth (Nebraska Shakespeare). As an explorer of physical theater/comedy he has found the most joy working on; Corduroy (The Rose Theatre) & The Woodsman (Bluebarn Theatre). Some favorite credits include projects he’s shared with his partner Sarah; Venus In Fur, R33 (Bluebarn Theatre). Matthew holds a B.F.A. from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and an M.F.A. from the Florida State University–Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. He is currently the Assistant Professor of Acting/Directing at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In the BFA program he facilitates everything from the core acting curriculum to stage violence/intimacy, physical theatre, and on-camera work. Most recently he adapted and facilitated The Tempest. Matthew is honored to join his students (current and former) for this year's Minnesota Fringe Festival!
Irie Unity - Ensemble
Irie (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist, avid hobbyist, and co-creator of Little Lamp Theatre Company! This is her first time participating in MN Fringe and she couldn't be more excited. As a recent alumni from the University of Minnesota Duluth, Irie graduated with a BFA in Acting. She has worked this past year for UMD theatre’s Lab Series as the Artistic Development Associate. Irie has an interest in honest, relatable, and relevant stories. She is most interested in work that gives space for new voices to be heard. You can catch her at another Fringe show: One Who is Home, co-created with her partner Olivia Nelson! More at iriebloomunity.com
Katherine Warmka - Ensemble, Adapter
Katherine Warmka (she/her) is a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth, pursuing a BFA in Acting and Musical Theatre alongside a BA in Chemistry and a BS in Biochemistry. A multifaceted artist, Katherine is passionate about storytelling through acting, dance, and music—while also exploring the beauty and complexity of the sciences. She was most recently seen as Miranda in The Tempest (UMD) and in the regional premiere of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble; UMD).
In addition to her work on stage, Katherine is an accomplished dramaturg. She was honored with the Region 5 LMDA/KCACTF Dramaturgy Award in both 2024 and 2025 for her work on Twelfth Night and Dragons Love Tacos (UMD). She is thrilled to be sharing this story again (at her first MN Fringe festival!!) and to be collaborating with such a talented group of artists. She extends heartfelt thanks to her family, friends, and mentors for their unwavering support. katherinegwarmka.com