"You pulled me by the cloak. Would you speak with me?"

It had been a year and half since I last acted in a play, and it was not for a lack of trying. After auditioning for seven or eight various projects, my desire to act waned. The rejection that comes after auditions is equivalent to that of getting brushed aside by a girl you've been lusting after for quite some time. Richard Boehler, a fellow thespian whom I acted with in Reservoir Dogs, asked me one day if would try out for his production of Julius Caesar. No director had ever asked me to audition for anything, and there's a certain pride that comes with a personal invitation.

"I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it. It was mere foolery, I did not mark it."

I was offered and accepted the duel roles of Casca and Lepidus. Casca served as something of a bouncer for Caesar's entourage. He was good at his job but held no true loyalty to Caesar. His mouthy moments come during the first quarter of the play. First, he recounts to Brutus and Cassius the moments that occurred in the streets with Caesar, how Mark Antony offered Julius a make shift crown, and how Caesar intentionally refused it to the delight of the masses. All the while Cassius secretly plans to recruit Casca into his band of conspirators.

"Are you not moved when all the sway of Earth shakes like a thing unfirm?"

On a night of bizarre occurrences, Casca freaks out and waves his sword wildly in disbelief. It is then when Cassius convinces the bouncer to rise up against Caesar. Although he knows not what he involves himself in, Casca becomes a notable figure in the assassination.

"You speak to Casca, and to such a man that is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand. Be factious for redress of all these griefs, and I shall set this foot of mine as far as who goes furthest."

Along with Decius Brutus, Metellus Cimber, Cinna, Casca joins Brutus and Cassius as the conspirators. They agree to kill Caesar and allow Mark Antony to live. This decision comes back to haunt them, but they do their will under the pretense of protecting Peace, Liberty and Freedom. Sound like any war America is currently involved in?

"Speak hands, for me!"

Casca belts out those four words just before he plunges the first dagger blow into Caesar's back. The other conspirators follow until Brutus makes the final jab. After stabbing Caesar, Casca is not heard from again. A good deal of sword training was involved for the production, and I must admit, there is a certain cockiness that comes with holding a dagger or short sword. If there is one thing I will take away from the production, it is the joy of waving pointy metal at actors and the audience.

"I do consent-- upon condition Publius shall not live, who is your sister's son, Mark Antony."

Just when you thought Casca was evil, enter Lepidus. Being the third part of the triumvirate with Mark Antony and Octavius Caesar, Lepidus is thought an unmeritable man, even by his friends. The only reason he is with them is that they don't want him against them. While Casca had torment in his actions, Lepidus relishes any bloodthirsty moments presented. I literally switch sides in the play, which actually makes me always on the winning side. The conspirators who overpowered Caesar are overrun by the Triumvirate. Lepidus is the first character I've played that did not die during the course of the show. It's about time!

"Prepare you generals! The enemy comes on in gallant show. Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, and something to be done immediately!"

As far as Shakespearean tragedies go, Julius Caesar is rarely performed. It is usually read in schools. To be a part of the production was demanding. With two ten-minute intermissions, the running time was two hours and forty-five minutes. A serious endeavor for cast, crew and audiences. The cast bonded early and never ceased to improve as the show ran for four weekends. We even performed two shows last Sunday (very draining), but I can say I am as proud of this collection of actors as any other I've been involved with. We were rewarded with more than half of the performances sold out. People love that Shakespeare.

"Peace, ho! Caesar speaks!"

Tonight, I will don my black and red costume for the last time. Rattle off tongue twisters with a smooth flow once more. Freak out on the Roman streets once more. Jab and splatter blood on Caesar's back once more. Fight and slash with the Triumvirate once more. This was my first appearance in a Shakespeare play, and I must admit after thinking I could avoid him, the bard now has a special place in my heart.

Chris Jungle switches sides at will.