Imagine walking to class Valentine's Day morning -- backpack slung over the shoulder, talking on a cell phone, thinking that this is going to be yet another run-of-the-mill Feb. 14 -- when, all of a sudden, a stranger hands you a rose and recites a sonnet, specially pre-ordered for you.
With these "sonnetgrams," Shakespeare on the Lawn has put an entirely new spin on Valentine's Day at the University.
Third-year College student Nathan Anderith explained how Shakespeare on the Lawn came across the idea.
"Someone in the organization did it a while ago and we stumbled across some fliers for the old program," Anderith said. "It looked like a lot of fun."
Anderith said the sonnetgrams are "basically just like singing telegrams, except we get actors to deliver them."
And they are not just presented in any old fashion.
"The actors memorize the sonnets and deliver them usually in an ostentatious manner," Anderith said. "As big and proud as possible. There's lots of prancing around."
Fourth-year College student Vincent Barbatti said delivering sonnets is a unique experience.
"It's very different performing on stage [versus] invading personal space and delivering something unexpected," Barbatti said. "It's a lot of fun."
Barbatti has even delivered sonnets in huge classes, as per request of the people ordering the sonnetgrams.
"A couple times last year, I went to a Comm. School lecture hall," Barbatti said. "You just ask the professor. You can embarrass someone in front of a hundred-person audience and go over the top with it."
But the sonnetgrams, while sometimes embarrassing for the person receiving them, are also a sign of affection.
"It's always fun just to watch the combination of humiliation and gratitude and affection that goes across people's faces when they are addressed in public in such a manner," third-year College student Megan Smith said.
The tone of the sonnetgrams varies according to the wishes of the person ordering them. Smith said Shakespeare on the Lawn asks for intention when taking orders.
"It's usually very funny or sometimes really sweet," Anderith said.
Smith said one of the sonnets she delivered last year was particularly memorable.
"It was a serious sonnet to a girl and the guy was actually interested in her and hadn't told her yet," Smith said. "It was kind of cool to be the vehicle of that expression."
And this year, there is an additional twist -- costumes.
"Last year, people dressed nicely, but not wearing any sort of costume or anything like that," Smith said. "This year, we've got sonnet-delivering outfits: Renaissance gowns and some Restoration wear. I'm personally wearing this outfit with a big skirt and a corset type top -- that'll add a fun element."
Barbatti is also looking forward to the costumes.
"Going around in Shakespeare costumes [will] attract a lot attention, which is always good," Barbatti said.
Along with the delivered sonnet, the sonnetgram recipients receive a rose and a "nice printed version" of the sonnet, Barabatti said.
In addition to being enjoyable, the sonnetgrams serve as a fundraiser and method of publicity for Shakespeare on the Lawn.
"We're doing it for two things," Anderith said. "The money, of course, but in terms of the time we spend on [sonnetgrams] and the money we get in return, it's not cost effective. Mostly, we're doing it to spread the word. It's difficult to get your name heard, so we're doing it just to be known. People may be more likely to come to our shows."
In addition, the organizers and performers involved with sonnetgrams truly enjoy themselves.
"Last year, I rounded up all of the people who deliver sonnets and had them deliver one to my girlfriend," Anderith said.
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