Stand Up For Shakespeare

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Shakespeare is required in many schools all over the world. In the UK it’s compulsory for almost all students. But trouble and Shakespeare in school seem to go hand in hand these days. Not all teachers know that much or even enjoy Shakespeare. How are the students going to get anything out of this kind of education? The Royal Shakespeare Company has an answer.

They’ve created a new program called Stand Up For Shakespeare whose purpose is to improve students experiences when learning about Shakespeare! An article in the Official London Theatre Guide can give you more of the story.

The RSC asks schools to have students get up and speak Shakespeare on their feet, see live performances of the plays, and introduce the subject to kids gently at a younger age before they’ve reached the point of hearing Shakespeare horror stories.

What a great idea! It makes me happy to see this happening and I really hope there is some success with this program. I can only wish the the US would follow suit, but I think it’ll take several more years. Maybe by then I’ll be in a place of power to make it happen! A guy can dream, can’t he?

Posted on March 9, 2008

 

2 comments

  1. Andrew Hamm Mar 10

    There are TONS of Shakespeare companies in the US that espouse this approach, mine (Richmond Shakespeare) being only one. Our Director of Education, Cynde Liffick, is incredibly passionate about having students work out the language on their feet and out loud.

    The book is the enemy. Shakespeare didn’t write books; he didn’t write things that were meant to be read. He wrote words to be heard, and actions to be played!

  2. Gedaly Mar 10

    I don’t mean to say that it isn’t happening anywhere. There are plenty of companies out there doing this, and many doing a wonderful job at it too! They make me smile. What I feel that is lacking is a unifying program of national recognition to give some “oomph” to the progress. Schools and theatres across the country are moving in the right direction, but where is their recognition? How will others elsewhere learn by their example without being shown what can work?

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