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Shakespeare Speed Dating!
June 15, 2009Shakespeare Speed Dating, a speed-through Midsummer Night's Dream, a Romeo & Juliet rap song...
Every year, CAT's NYC Student Shakespeare Festival brings a wide array of interpretations, from the very traditional to the very abstract - yes, one high school class even presented Shakespeare Speed Dating , hosted by the witches from Macbeth,in which six Shakespearean couples met during a 21st century speed dating session. This year's Festival also included two vastly different perspectives on scenes from Romeo and Juliet, the “We merry band of brothers” scene from Henry V, and a scene about lovers that cleverly wove together dialogue from five different plays.
CAT's 16th annual Festival, held in late April/early May, was the best yet. Over four days, more than 400 4th-12th grade students from throughout the region shared scenes they had developed with their teachers, under CAT's guidance. This year's event took place at the Actors Temple Theatre, an historic off-Broadway theatre.
Through workshops at CAT and in the classroom, the Festival enables educators to enjoy and use the full power of Shakespeare in the classroom. Several teachers have participated for five years or more, and one high school has been part of the Festival since its founding in 1994. And, along with having fun, the students benefit as well. The Festival imbues them with new confidence and opportunities to understand, appreciate and perform Shakespeare.
This year's Festival received generous support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the BWF Foundation, SBS Promo, and Penguin Books.
