~by Carol Kelly Twenty minutes into watching the recent RSC all black production of Julius Caesar, my overall sense was, “Why hasn’t this been done before?”. The play makes a seamless transition from Ancient Rome to modern day Africa, a continent which has seen numerous violent uprisings and civil crises in the last few decades…. Continue Reading »
Posts Categorized: Shakespeare
After student matinees at the Folger, we’re usually able to offer a brief “talk-back” with actors from the show to discuss what the students have just seen. (We’ve discussed previous Folger Theatre talk-backs for Othello and Comedy of Errors here.) The actors of the Globe’s touring production of Hamlet, currently playing in our Theatre, were kind enough… Continue Reading »
~by Carol Ann Lloyd Stanger I met with a terrific group of bi-lingual students today who came to tour the Folger and see the London exhibition. When I asked them what they already knew about Shakespeare, one of the first things they said was “He wrote in really old English that we don’t understand.” It… Continue Reading »
Thanks to the efforts of Folger Theatre, the Globe’s Theatre’s production of Hamlet is currently in residence at the Folger. The reviews have been good, and audiences are deeply engaged in the work. This collaboration between the Folger and the Globe has prompted Folger Education to re-release four video podcasts that focus on the play, including an insider’s guide for all… Continue Reading »
To quote our Bill’s Buddies mantra: “Shakespeare wrote plays, which means they were meant to be Seen and Heard.” Not read silently to oneself. And not simply read aloud in a round robin in class. Part of the experience is watching how characters interact, and how the words can be used to inform action. Getting students on… Continue Reading »
The situation may seem familiar: A sixth grade classroom, the text of Macbeth, and 30 blank slates ready to be writ upon. Jessica Lander used a free six-week life-applications session to teach students Shakespeare. The students had to have picked her class in order to take part, and while the class was required, they wouldn’t have… Continue Reading »
Teaching Shakespeare can seem daunting, especially if you’re teaching Shakespeare for the first time or if your students are encountering Shakespeare for the first time. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions. Our experience is that with a little preparation, studying Shakespeare can be fun and rewarding for all students… Continue Reading »
Acting as the registrar for our local programs, it’s not surprising to me that most of the teachers who use our resources teach English, or are using our program for an English unit. Occasionally, though, I’ll get a call from a Social Studies or History teacher who plans to tie the program in to their… Continue Reading »
By Carol Kelly Arguably there are two memorable film productions of Henry V. Thefirst appeared in 1944 and was directed and produced by Laurence Olivier who also took the title role. The film was produced during World War 2 and sets a patriotic, even jingoistic note, with the beleaguered English troops on the eve of… Continue Reading »
This weekend saw the closing of the historic London Summer Olympics, and I’m sure everyone will still be buzzing about it for days to come! Our own Carol Kelly volunteered during the games, and rejoined us today still bubbling over with excitement, which, she says, is still glowing throughout London, as well. While the modern… Continue Reading »
