Julia + Roselo

Part history and part fantasy, 'Julia+ Roselo' is about a couple falling in love despite all the odds.

Spain's prolific playwright and poet, Lope de Vega, wrote

his version of 'Romeo and Juliet' in the same era as Shakespeare

as Spain's monarchy secured portions of 'La Florida' to expand their kingdom.

While Lope de Vega and Shakespeare lived 100 years before Fort Mose was established in 1738,

'Julia+ Roselo' reimagines relationships that did evolve between Creek and Black communities.

Creek and other indigenous peoples moved into central and northern 'La Florida'

around the first Black free colony in the northern hemisphere, Fort Mose.

All peoples lived under an uneasy alliance in the Kingdom of 'La Florida.'

They pledged allegiance to Spain and adopted the practices of the Catholic Church.

Together they survived for a century or more in one of the most treacherous territories in the New World

when their fate would be decided by a young democracy.

The Black Seminoles represent a legacy of real marriages and adoptions

of individuals and families of Seminole and African heritage.

Travel back in time to Florida long before it became part of an American nation.

Consider and celebrate the kingdoms of 'Julia + Roselo'

(Castelvines/Capulets y Monteses/Montagues)

a story inspired by the history of America's 'La Florida.'

artwork by Cuban Artist, Alejandro Leyva

featuring

Original choreography by

Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami

Emily Ricca Dance Collective

Zest Collective of New York

Original and adapted music by

Alberto Puerto with Ivet Riscart (Classical Spanish Guitar)

Yetzabel Arias Fernandez (Concert Soprano)

and

The Shakespeare Troupe of South Florida

with

street art on stage from artists 'Urban Ruben' and 'Golden'