ABOUT THE SHAKESPEARE PLAYGROUND™

My first introduction to Shakespeare was an unexpectedly random event: at the age of ten, I saw a group of teenagers performing The Merry Wives of Windsor at a playground I frequented in the summer. I didn't know at that age who Shakespeare was, but I did know I was spell-bound by what I was seeing and hearing. How were these kids—not much older than myself—able to express such a range of ideas and emotions in such explosively imaginative language? Who could have invented such incredibly intelligent, hysterically funny, motivated and challenging women characters? Where could I see more of this? How could I do more of this?

Thus began my love and study of Shakespeare's plays, which continued to grow despite a few less-than-scintillating (but rather typical) English class experiences that followed.

I have been teaching and learning things from many wonderful children and teens for my entire adulthood. My students have consistently and generously shared with me certain joys a theatre professional rarely encounters (but always hopes for): the joy of creating an ensemble in a non-competitive environment and the joy of experiencing through an artistic medium the human conditions that affect us universally and connect us inextricably to each other.

I am constantly amazed at how profoundly children and teens comprehend and relate to Shakespeare's humor and pathos. And constantly delighted by the freshness and originality of their insights.

My work with THE SHAKESPEARE PLAYGROUND ™ aims to:

• Inspire a student's individual creativity in an ensemble setting,
• Activate young imaginations physically and verbally,
• And to help young people develop mutually respectful working relationships with their peers and teachers—all while exploring the work of the greatest author in the English language.

In humble 'playshop' settings, The Shakespeare Playground's participants attempt to model The Globe (the name of Shakespeare's theatre as well as our common residence) that we ultimately wish to inhabit.

This work and play continues to be
“such stuff as dreams are made on..."