LEWISTON – Rachel Spilecki’s “Romeo and Juliet” is vastly different from William Shakespeare’s.

Her recitation only takes 10 minutes. It uses contemporary language and modern movements.

And Spilecki, a Lewiston High School senior, plays all eight characters herself – including Romeo, Juliet and an e-mailing monk.

Spilecki’s energetic performance was honored at Maine’s speech and debate competition this winter. It also won her a spot at nationals.

Audio of her presentation and a photo slide show are available at www.sunjournal.com. But tomorrow night at Lewiston High School, community members can see “The Suessification of Romeo and Juliet” and other award-wining Lewiston speech team performances live.

The goal is to raise money to help the team pay for the two national competitions it’s qualified for. And show people what “speech team” is actually all about.

“It’s really more drama-related,” Spilecki said.

The performance fundraiser will be held at the high school and will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door or $5 in advance by calling 749-7013 or e-mailing [email protected].

This is the team’s first fundraising performance. It usually relies on other fundraisers, such as car washes, but the team decided it could raise more money, get in some practice and, perhaps, recruit some new members through a show.

“One of the most constant complaints they hear is, ‘We don’t know what the speech team does,’ ” team coach John Blanchette said.

All eight speech team members have won spots in the national competitions, which will be held in May and June. Some students will do dramatic performances while others will focus on more traditional speech presentations.

In addition to Spilecki, Lewiston’s performers include Shandra McManus, Calder Phillips-Grifflin, Lindsey Gaumont, Maame Bonsu, Becca Spilecki, Jessica Fortin and Ashley McWhorter.

Several Poland Regional High School students have also qualified to perform at one or both national competitions. They include Chelsea Pickett, Bryant Cyr and Chelsea Peterson.

For members of the public who can’t attend the Friday night performance, another presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m. in Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library.

Online

Go online at SunJournal.com to view the audio slideshow of Rachel Spilecki performing “The Suessification of Romeo and Juliet.”

Go and Do:

Who: The award-winning Lewiston High School speech team

What: A fundraiser offering some of the best in drama and speech presentations.

Where: LHS, this Friday at 7 p.m.; the Lewiston Public Library, Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m.