Florida Shakespeare Theatre
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
In-School Touring Program
For 1996-97, FST will present Yo Shakespeare!, a light-hearted and
fast-paced satire of the works of William Shakespeare, in 40 performances
in the Dade County Public Schools to 20,000 middle and high school
students. The production includes "vignettes" of many of Shakespeare's
plays, presented with an added contemporary twist to which school-aged
audiences easily relate. Elements of folk songs, impersonation, rap
music, stand-up comedy, sight gags, and more are all intertwined with the
poetic language and passionate messages of the world's greatest
playwright. The result is a truly delightful, comedic, and totally
unstuffy view of Shakespeare. A study guide and classroom activities are
presented in conjunction with the production to reinforce the stage
presentation. During the past school year, more than 18,000 students were
enthralled with a similar Shakespeare parody, The Compleat Works of
Wllm Shkspr (Abridged).
Mainstage Production
In February 1997, William Shakespeare's Julius
Caesar will be presented to approximately 6,000 middle and high
school students at morning matinee performances in our outdoor courtyard
theatre at The Biltmore Hotel. Julius
Caesar was first performed in the 1600s, yet the history as well
as the issues of political ambition, power, passion, and greed raised in
the play are universal themes - making the work of Shakespeare relevant to
today's audiences. Students arrive to see FST productions having read the
play's text in the classroom, thus effecting learning "from page to
stage!" In addition to providing each student with a study guide to
enhance their Shakespearean and theatrical experience, the actors in Julius
Caesar will participate in an informal question and answer session
immediately following the production with the student audiences. During
the 1995-96 season, more than 4,000 students had the opportunity to see
Hamlet in our newly completed Mainstage theatre.
Student At-Risk Theatre Arts Training
FST has expanded its educational programming for the upcoming season to
include a student at-risk training program. This innovative project will
provide hands-on training for students at-risk of dropping out of school.
FST will apprentice 12 carefully-selected high school students in
alternative public school programs in the various artistic, technical and
managerial disciplines of the theatre. The students will work
shoulder-to-shoulder with FST professionals as lighting, sound, scenic and
costume designers; as light and sound board operators; as set construction
staff; as producers; as stage managers; and as prop masters on Julius
Caesar. This will be followed by the production of a show of their
own selection with a professional director and actors.
Florida Shakespeare
Theatre is a non-profit 501(3)(c) tax-exempt corporation.
Contributions
are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Copyright © 1995-97,
Florida Shakespeare Theatre
--- updated 16 February 1997
The Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia
Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida
33134 U.S.A.
Box Office: (305) 446-1119 --- Administrative Offices:
(305) 446-1116
Facsimile: (305) 445-8645 --- Internet:
theatre@afn.org
created by
Adam Smargon, Webmaster