Coming up next week at Mark A. Chapman Theatre in Nichols Hall is a student production of Andrew Rincón’s “I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet.” The show follows an LGBTQ+ love story, with the lead roles remarking that they want to love like Romeo and Juliet.

Dominic Moore, senior studying theater and assistant director, said that the production aims to give a love story of similar standing to Romeo and Juliet.

“The show is a great queer love story,” Moore said. “They want to love like Romeo and Juliet did because we recognize that as one of those great love stories. We’re taking that and giving you another great love story.”

Gerianne Meals, senior with a dual major in theater and English who is playing the role of Cupid, said there is urgency in giving a voice to marginalized communities in need of representation, which the production strives to provide. 

“Now more than ever is when we need art that speaks out like this,” Meals said. “It’s important for people to know that they’re not alone and be able to see themselves reflected in the art they’re consuming.” 

Veah Castillo, junior studying secondary education and playing the role of Alejandro Diaz, also said the show provides an opportunity to bring light to the LGBTQ+ community. 

“This show is incredibly important,” Castillo said. “Especially with the Spectrum Center on campus being shut down … that was a fundamental support system for [the LGBTQ+ community] that was taken away. So I think continuing to tell these stories, regardless of current political climates, is incredibly integral to not only our community, but all of society.”

The Spectrum Center served as a hub for the K-State LGBTQ+ community from its founding in 2010 until it was shut down at the end of the 2025 spring semester. The closing came in the wake of legislative changes regarding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Cheyenne Niblack, senior studying secondary education and the director of the production, said the opportunity to lead a production that breaks the mold was enticing.

“I was very interested in having the chance for underrepresented groups on campus or within the theater department represented on stage,” Niblack said. “We’re still here. We still have a voice, doing shows like this or pushing boundaries like this show does. We won’t be silenced, and the idea in this story specifically is that love is love, and we should all have love for everyone.”

Opening night is at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, with two more 7:30 p.m. shows on Friday and Saturday. The final show will be at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27.