Well, shared passion can build a business and a family.

Finally tonight, theater sparked a local couple's romance that inspired an even bigger dream.

"Carolina Impact's" Dara Khaalid and videographer Russ Hunsinger bring us the story.

(dramatic whooshing) - Oh, Romeo.

Romeo.

(relaxed orchestral music) Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

- [Dara] Shakespeare wrote about love, loss, family and finding your place.

(upbeat funk music) More than 400 years later, Chester and Katie Shepherd help a new generation find theirs.

- Shepherd Shakespeare Company is a theater company that is focused on making Shakespeare accessible and available to as many people as possible.

Here we go.

- [Dara] Their story started long before their company.

Theater first brought them together during college.

Friendship turned into love, marriage, a son, then a shared dream.

- We celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary last December, and I said to my husband that our company was like a love letter to him, honestly.

- [Dara] That love letter started taking shape in 2022.

Katie handled the business, Chester brought a lifelong love for the bard, together, they built Shepherd Shakespeare Company.

- [Chester] Shakespeare's been my favorite playwright since high school at least, and the chance to live my life doing his work, constantly performing it, teaching it, directing it is... It's a dream come true.

- [Dara] That dream reaches far beyond the stage.

The company tours libraries, partners with schools and hosts "Bard at the Barn," a free Shakespeare production that welcomes everyone.

(indistinct) - You let me in!

- [Dara] Katie says two roles never change... (audience cheering) Pay the artist and never charge the audience.

- And if we can't do that, then we don't wanna do it at all.

That's what this is, this is what this needs to feel like, so... - [Dara] Their biggest impact may show up here.

Each summer, teens spend weeks learning Shakespeare, stage combat, movement and performance.

- A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!

(people grunting in exertion) - [Dara] 17-year-old Avery White says the words may sound old, but the stories still hit home.

(people grunting in exertion) - And I think that's just so beautiful, that even though it was written hundreds of years ago, you can still relate it to right now.

(upbeat hip-hop music) - For Richard!

- [Dara] Graham Bryant returned three years straight.

He says the people keep pulling him back.

- The thing that keeps me coming back every year is Chet, Katie, all the new people, all the old people, everyone is just so great, so amazing and it's just this place where I can be myself.

Kiss me, Kate.

(loud slapping) (people laughing) - [Dara] His parents have watched that experience follow him and his brother beyond the stage.

- It's helped them both in school.

Graham had, in one of his English classes, they did something on Shakespeare and the teacher said, "Whoever gets Graham as a partner is very lucky," 'cause Graham already knew the role.

- They've developed these great relationships with the other players and just kind of self-confidence, it's really good to see them work together and develop as performers.

- [Dara] Rachael Husak also returned three years straight.

- I find a really beautiful community with all the people here, and I really just learn something new every time I come back.

Now, must the world point at poor Katherina and say, "Lo, there is Mad Petruchio's wife.

If it would please him, come and marry her!"

(Rachael mimicking crying) - [Dara] Her mom, Judy, once signed her up without telling her.

Rachel didn't wanna spend the summer studying Shakespeare, but that changed.

- So she was not looking forward to it, but after the first day, I dropped her off, I said, "If you don't like it, you don't have to come back," and then, I came back to pick her up, beaming, I mean, just beaming, and the rest was history.

- For Leon Hilton, the stage unlocks something even deeper.

Leon calls himself an introvert and says, "Social anxiety can make connecting with others tough."

Theater changed that too.

- The community's really great, I mean, there's not much judgment, it's just everybody just working together to be their best self.

(indistinct) I have social anxiety, so it really helps me, like, push to be, like, more social and creative and everything.

- [Dara] Leon also found family through theater.

He met Quinn Ultra during Middle School Drama Club, their friendship grew, eventually, Quinn's family welcomed Leon.

- He is my foster brother, and so, we've been supportive of each other, we're always very supportive of the other person.

- [Dara] Camp helped Leon open up even more.

- To get a husband for her sister!

- A husband?

A... (indistinct) - I say a husband!

- I say a... (indistinct) - Leo is definitely a little bit more introverted, shy, but boy, when you see him on stage, he opens right up, he has a ball.

- [Dara] The company works with children of all ages, but the summer camp is for rising eighth-graders through 12th graders.

Julian Starkey spent three summers here, then he aged out, but rather than walk away, he came back.

Now an acting major at Western Carolina University, Julian helps co-direct the same program that once taught him.

- They said I could do this internship with co-directing, and I've learned so much with this and I really appreciate how much trust they kinda put into me and to everyone here, and there's just so much support.

- [Dara] Chester and Katie started with a love story of their own.

Now, every curtain call reveals another one.

Love for theater, love for community and love for people who need a place to grow.

(audience cheering) For "Carolina Impact," I'm Dara Khaalid.