Teachers learn skills in directing from Shakespearean professionals
Teaching Shakespeare can have the most amazing impact on students – performing on a professional stage is immersive and exhilarating, and the experience can give them the confidence to aspire and achieve in any walk of life.
We visited a workshop as part of the Shakespeare Schools Foundation’s annual festival, where a group of teachers got to learn directing skills in the fun and supportive environment of the Urdd Centre in Cardiff.
Heee haaa ho!
These teacher director workshops aren’t quiet! pic.twitter.com/osCsdmNkHK
— A2: Connect (@A2ConnectWales) June 7, 2017
The rigorous but also inspiring process gave teachers the training and resources to direct their students in a 30 minute Shakespeare play at their local professional theatre.
Teachers getting techniques for directing by acting a scene from Hamlet, and they’ve called it ‘dysfunctional family showdown’ 👑 👻 🔪😵 pic.twitter.com/CVF3cgJ2wM
— A2: Connect (@A2ConnectWales) June 7, 2017
As another teacher from this workshop said, ”It was highly inspirational – it’ll rekindle your love of the subject”.
If you would like to come along to the Shakespeare Schools Festival, and see these schools in action, check out the website for this autumn’s Festival dates and ticket prices.
Workshops for teachers
If this looks like something you could benefit from, you can also consider the Shakespeare Schools Foundation’s Teacher CPD Workshops.
One student from the 2016 Festival explained what they had got from their Shakespeare School Festival experience: ‘I enjoyed being a part of something I wouldn’t normally and I enjoyed getting to create a performance piece and then get to show other schools’ and colleges’ ours.’
For primary teachers
This workshop focuses on bringing the story to life, engaging pupils with the characters and playing with the richness of Shakespeare’s language. You’ll look at how to embed the exercises in a scheme of work to create an inspiring classroom environment.
For secondary teachers
You will focus on exploring complex characters, giving students ownership of Shakespeare’s language, and contextualising the themes for the 21st century. For English teachers, you will look at how exercises can be used to support the KS3 curriculum or KS4/5 Assessment Objectives.
Resources
On the Shakespeare Schools Foundation website you’ll find fantastic new resources which link the Shakespeare Schools Foundation experience to the curriculum in Wales. You’ll find everything you need to bring Shakespeare to life in your classroom, from lesson plans to interactive resources.
