"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” flips the script on the traditional tragedy of Hamlet and finds the two most minor characters as the leads of the play. Rosencrantz is thoughtful yet often bewildered, questioning the nature of the pair’s existence and the events around them. He tends to be more passive and contemplative. Guildenstern, on the other hand, is more assertive and analytical, often attempting to make sense of their situation and find meaning in their actions. Both characters share a sense of existential confusion and are caught in a metaphysical dilemma, questioning their roles in the larger story of Hamlet and showcasing ‘what happens when characters leave the stage?’ — Jack Andersen is a senior at Northwest High School. He has extensive theatre experience, appearing onstage in Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Ramona Quimby at The Playhouse, as James in School of Rock at Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre (DMYAT), and in many other productions at DMYAT. He has also par...