Bunch Guides
The most influential poet and playwright turns 448 today!
Witches, ghosts, crossdressers, villians and fairies — Shakespeare’s plays are full of some truly memorable characters and imagery. But even more importantly, they’re full of wise insight for young viewers, and your kids may find the plays more relatable than you think. After all, Shakespeare was all about throwing tantrums, wearing eccentric outfits and making up words. To thine own self be true, indeed.
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This interactive Globe Pop Up Theatre book shows the theatre circa 1612. All the details are there, including a ceiling painted like the heavens, thatched roof, stage, galleries and an expectant audience. Punch out characters are included so kids can act out act out the plays. Brief summaries included.
Make Wicked Will: A Mystery of Young Shakespeare one of your kids first chapter books. It’s a murder mystery with many references to Shakespeare’s plays, including an Elizabethan setting, and the characters from his plays. Read more...
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The Toronto Fringe Festival’s Executive Director chats with us about the value of theatre and getting your children interested in the arts.
I say “theatre,” and you think, what? Three-digit ticket prices, yawning into your fist and stuffy great-aunts who pronounce it “theatah”? That’s definitely not the case according to Gideon Arthurs, Executive Director of the Toronto Fringe Festival. In addition, he’s the Artistic Producer of Groundwater Productions, married to actor/playwright Erin Shields, and father to 16-month-old Olive.
The Toronto Fringe is “by the people, for the people,” and consists of 150-odd plays selected at random, involving more than 11,000 artists. Last year, more than 79,000 people came out to see them. Arthurs is convinced that all 90, 000 benefit from their Fringing experience, be they artists or audience members. “My theatre training was one of the most practical things I’ve ever done,” he says, crediting that training for his ease with job interviews. “You learn how to communicate clearly [and] how to present yourself to the outside world.” Read more...
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Shakespeare and high school have gone together pretty much since the invention of high school. But one high school wants to try something a little different: starting tomorrow, which would be William Shakespeare’s 447th birthday, a drama club out of White Plains, NY will act out Much Ado About Nothing on Facebook.
White Plains High School isn’t the first to tackle the classics via social media — last year, a fake Ferris Bueller, along with his girlfriend Sloane, best friend Cameron and furious principal Mr. Rooney reenacted the movie via Twitter and even checked into key Bueller venues like Wrigley Field and the Art Gallery of Chicago. Read more...
