All the world's a stage

William Shakespeare is a phrase that sends chills (or yawns) through the hearts of students everywhere. In the age of YouTube and MySpace, can the Bard really compete? (He’s no Jonas Brother, you know.)

Allison Bencar and Nathan Miller are resident actors and teachers who, as a traveling troupe of two, make Shakespeare come alive for Cleveland-area students courtesy of the Great Lakes Theater Festival’s education initiative. They assert that Shakespeare is for everyone. “Through the GLTF, students are afforded the opportunity to explore the universal themes inherent in classical dramatic literature, and we hope to illuminate those themes for them.”

Shakespeare did, in fact, come alive for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade classes at Saint Ann School recently as they immersed themselves in a week-long workshop of Romeo & Juliet. According to sixth-grader Brady Furlich, the Bard is still relevant, especially when you get the opportunity to immerse yourself in his world. “When you act, you get a different point of view than just reading the play in the classroom.”

In fact, Allison and Nathan encourage complete immersion in the process. Students don’t simply read their lines; they are given motivation for their actions. They learn about the lifestyles, clothing, social mores and class structure, daily diet, and, the Renaissance “dis.” (Maybe biting one’s thumb will make a comeback.)

The partnership between Saint Ann School and the GLTF has lasted for 15 years now, and the enthusiasm before the annual visit extends to parents as well. Kelly Foerg, mother of seventh-grader Jeffrey, is astounded by what her son learns from this activity. “Jeffrey can’t wait to get to school to participate in the GLTF visit. What 11 year-old boy reads Shakespeare for fun?”

He may not be a Jonas Brother, but Will Shakespeare is still relevant.

Stephanie Applegate is a life-long resident of Cleveland Heights and the mother of two boys. She also currently serves on the board of Heights Community Congress.