The Shakespeare in the Courts project was also visited by WBUR 90.9FM this week.
Jesus believes his six-week bout with Shakespeare has affected him. He admits that even earlier this day he punched a locker at Pittsfield High in rage — instead of an antagonistic classmate. But six weeks ago Jesus says, “I would’ve hit him. Boom! Not one word, just hit him.”
Listen to or read the story at wbur.org »
And take a look at the accompanying video:
Shakespeare & Company’s Shakespeare in the Courts program once again gets noticed, this time by the Boston Globe‘s Louise Kennedy. Over the weekend she visited with the group of juveniles as they rehearsed their production of Henry V, which is performing tonight in Founders’ Theatre.
Such lessons can take a while to sink in. “At first, I didn’t want to do it,’’ said Kaitlyn, 17. “But it’s better than actual community service.’’ And it has helped her learn how to “be around other people that I might not like but I kind of have to deal with.’’
That attitude is typical, said Coleman of participants (the Globe is printing only their first names because they are juveniles). He noted that when the teenagers arrive on the first day, they’re angry, impatient, and in shock that they really have to study Shakespeare — or go back to court for resentencing. “Oh my God, they’d rather go to jail,’’ he said. “They find this really bizarre, that they have to do it. ‘This is so unfair.’ ‘I’m not going to do this.’ ‘You can’t make me.’ That lasts into the second week.’’
Read the rest of “Caught in the act: Juveniles sentenced to Shakespeare” in the Boston Globe
The final Common Class of the Fall Festival—the Performance Common Class—is the biggest acting class you’ll ever witness. Take a look (this year’s Festival comes to Founders’ Theatre November 19-22):
Download (right-click and choose "Save as")
(Media may take a moment to load. Please be sure you have the latest Flash Player. Subscribe to the Shakespeare & Company Podcast via iTunes; no iPod or mp3 player needed!)
The schedule for the 21st Annual Fall Festival of Shakespeare has been posted!
The Festival weekend in Founders’ Theatre will be as follows. Visit the Fall Festival of Shakespeare page for details on in-school performances the week before.
Click here to buy tickets now for the 21st Annual Fall Festival of Shakespeare!
Thursday, November 19
6:30 – Chatham High School – Pericles, Prince of Tyre
8:30 – Lenox Memorial High School – Julius Caesar
Friday, November 20
6:30 – Lee High School – King John
8:30 – Mt. Greylock Regional High School – As You Like It
Saturday, November 21
1:30 – Taconic High School – Macbeth
3:30 – Mount Everett Regional High School – Romeo and Juliet
6:30 – Monument Mountain Regional High School – Richard III
8:30 – Springfield Central High School – The Merry Wives of Windsor
Sunday, November 22
1:30 – Taconic Hills High School – King Lear
3:30 – North Andover High School – As You Like It
5:00 – The Reverence
Also check out the latest Common Class video — the Tech Common Class! (Available at the Fall Festival of Shakespeare’s Facebook Page)
Download (right-click and choose "Save as")
(Media may take a moment to load. Please be sure you have the latest Flash Player. Subscribe to the Shakespeare & Company Podcast via iTunes; no iPod or mp3 player needed!)
The 21st Annual Fall Festival of Shakespeare is just around the corner—November 19–22 in Founders’ Theatre—and we couldn’t be more excited! Check out the Fall Festival on Facebook by visiting http://www.facebook.com/fallfestival. Become a fan to get updates as we progress, including photos and video of the Festival in action!
To start, here’s a video of last week’s Common Class in Dance/Movement:
Download (right-click and choose "Save as")
(Media may take a moment to load. Please be sure you have the latest Flash Player. Subscribe to the Shakespeare & Company Podcast via iTunes; no iPod or mp3 player needed!)
This spring, the Shakespeare in the Courts program was expanded to three branches covering all of Berkshire County—North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington. The last of these to perform, the Pittsfield group, presents their work this Thursday at Founders’ Theatre.
In honor of them and Judge Paul Perachi, that “do-gooder judge from Massachusetts” who is retiring this year, we present to you “The Word” from the April 20, 2006 episode of The Colbert Report, in which Colbert lovingly pokes fun at our nationally recognized program.
Join us this Thursday, June 4th at 7:30pm in Founders’ Theatre for the final Shakespeare in the Courts performance — Julius Caesar — and help thank Judge Perachi for his work. Admission is free.
It’s a season of recognition for Shakespeare & Company, with four longtime Company artists set to receive special honors this month.
Annette Miller is nominated for a 2009 Eliot Norton Award for “Outstanding Actress” at a small or midsize theatre company for her performance in Martha Mitchell Calling at the Nora Theatre Company, in a role she originated in the play’s world premiere at S&Co. in 2006. Annette will reprise her role as Golda Meir in William Gibson’s Golda’s Balcony at Shakespeare & Company this season as part of the Diva Series.
(This year’s Elliot Norton Awards ceremony takes place at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre on Monday, May 11, 7:00pm. Tickets are $15 and available at the Harvard Box Office, Holyoke Center, in Harvard Square, 617-496-2222, www.boxoffice.harvard.edu.)
Company Founder and Director of Education Kevin G. Coleman earned the prestigious “Distinguished Arts Educator Award” in the field of theatre, bestowed annually by the Massachusetts Arts Education Collaborative. In addition to his work as an actor, director, Training Program faculty member at S&Co. and workshop engagements around the country, Coleman built up the Education Program into a much-emulated roster of programs that touches the lives of some 50,000 students every year. Initiatives launched under Coleman’s leadership include Shakespeare in the Courts, recipient of a 2006 Coming Up Taller Award at the White House, and the Fall Festival of Shakespeare, which engages students at about ten high schools annually and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008.
