Shakespeare in Schools

The Shakespeare Society’s educational outreach program is based on the belief that through our work students not only come to a better understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare, they also learn more about themselves and their relationships with others. Reading, acting, and discovering Shakespeare’s plays can be a profoundly personal journey for students and their teachers.

The Shakespeare Society views each educational program as a laboratory not only to develop literary and performance-based skills, but also to nurture skills that serve students throughout their lives, these include listening and responding, public speaking, self-presentation, diction and enunciation, relaxation techniques, physical and emotional self-assessment, self-discipline, and teamwork. Importantly, The Shakespeare Society’s educational programs integrate current academic goals and the New York State Board of Education learning standards. For more information about our Educational programming contact Rachel Zaslow at 212.967.6804.

Our program consists of four initiatives, Shakespeare-in-Schools, Teaching Teachers, Hunts Point Children Shakespeare Ensemble and the Shakespeare Insights Teen Internship Program, as well as a number of educational enhancement opportunities, which are detailed as follows:

Shakespeare in SchoolsClassically-trained professional actors visit public school classrooms to enhance and enliven Shakespearen texts. These teaching artists get students out of their seats and onto their feet to perform and engage with Shakespeare in a tangible way. Teaching through performance helps students to understand the language, the meaning of the plays, and have fun! Residencies range from one to ten sessions and each one is the result of a customized, hands-on process of development and collaboration with teachers.

The Hunts Point Children's Shakespeare ensemblein collaboration with the Huntspoint Alliance for Children and Mud/Bone
In collaboration with the Huntspoint Alliance for Children and Mud/Bone The Shakespeare Society conducts a year-long educational initiative with a group of youth from the South Bronx. Youth spend the year exploring, researching, dialoging with and performing one play. Twice annual culminating performances allow our youth to share their engagement with Shakespeare with the community.

Teaching TeachersThe Shakespeare Society’s education department program provides professional development workshops for teachers, incorporating the skills of noted educators, critics and actors. Teachers learn innovative ways to teach Shakespeare, and share ideas as well as classroom experiences with one another. In addition, school administrators are invited to attend as a means of encouraging the expansion of arts education in their schools.

Resource GrantsTeachers who are participating in any of The Shakespeare Society’s educational programs may submit a written proposal at any time during the school year to request funds for specific classroom needs relating to Shakespeare. In the past, these grants have provided books, DVDs, and tickets to Shakespeare productions.

Shakespeare Insights Teen Internship ProgramThe program begins with a twelve week intensive where High School Juniors and Seniors engage in a dialogue with The Bard, his plays, and their relevance to contemporary life. Through classical text study, movement training and study of teaching methedology, interns are trained to become assistant teaching artists. Partnered with a professional actor and teaching artist, students spend the spring semester working in the schools to bring Shakespeare to life for their younger peers, leading workshops and demonstrating through live performance the excitement and accessibility of Shakespeare.

Educational Enhancement OpportunitiesTeachers who are participating in The Shakespeare Society’s Adopt-a-School program may submit a written proposal at any time during the school year to request funds for specific classroom needs relating to Shakespeare. In the past, these grants have provided textbooks, DVDs, and tickets to Shakespeare productions.

In addition to the above, we encourage the participation of our teachers and students in the following events which The Shakespeare Society co-sponsors:

The New York City Student Shakespeare Festival: Each spring, participating New York City public schools prepare short scenes from Shakespeare’s plays and perform them for their peers at the Lucille Lortelle Theater in downtown Manhattan.

The English Speaking Union High School Shakespeare Competition: Through this program, students study, memorize and interpret monologues and sonnets in three qualifying stages at the school, community, and state levels. Winners from each state gather in New York City for the finals, which are held at The Vivian Beaumont Theater in Lincoln Center.

For more information about our Educational programming contact Rachel Zaslow at 212.967.6804.