About theShakespeareProject

About theShakespeareProjectLLC

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Who Introduced You To Shakespeare?

Lately, I've been involved in a number of discussions having to do with Education and Shakespeare over at shakespearegeek's blog. Duane has brought up some interesting points and posed what I think are some important questions relating to how we teach Shakespeare and the effects those methods might have on our perception of his work.

http://blog.shakespearegeek.com/2010/12/performance-enhancing.html
http://blog.shakespearegeek.com/2010/12/what-do-we-expect-students-to-get.html
http://blog.shakespearegeek.com/2010/12/what-would-you-teach-romeo-and-juliet.html

In my experience, I've seen that it's very easy to turn someone off to his work. That was, in fact, my own feeling toward Shakespeare at my initial exposure to his plays. But this type of thing doesn't just happen in school, where many times the academics are stressed over the actual performance of the plays. It can also happen from seeing a "not so good" production--or two or three.

As a resident Shakespeare specialist, director, and acting instructor, I've taught Shakespeare over a broad spectrum, from elementary students all the way to professionals, and everyone in between. As a teacher, the first question I'm interested in asking any prospective student (or anyone in general) has to do with exactly what has happened so far in their exposure to Shakespeare. Only then can I make an assessment and develop a focus on how I might formulate my own teaching and/or directing approach with any particular individual or group. I have certain foundational elements in what and how I teach, but I generally devise components to specifically target aspects related to experience.

For instance, I'm scheduled to soon begin teaching acting techniques for an established Shakespeare production company. Although some of the very same basic elements and components I use to teach every level of student will be included, this will, of course, be a somewhat different approach than one I'd use for elementary students. BUT, in the beginning, I'll be asking these more experienced students some of the very same questions.

In developing teaching techniques any and all information is important, so this isn't just a point of interest, it's actually a serious research question as well. So, you'd actually be helping me a great deal with any input and it would be much appreciated.

The questions are:
*How much exposure to Shakespeare in any form have you had? (school, theatre, movies, tv).
*How and when did it start?
*Who was responsible for your first exposure to Shakespeare?
*If you've seen performances early on in your Shakespeare experience, when and where did you see them, who was performing, what was it like, what did it make you feel and/or think?
JM

2 comments:

  1. Steve Goldstein answered on Facebook:

    "the Lambs'(Charles and Mary)I believe. it was The Enchanted Island. It took the plays and put it in story form. it was pretty exciting as I recall. As I got older, the language got in the way and i appreciated watching more than reading, but the Lambs' version ,to me was a wonderful way to discover all of the characters,plots, and most quotable speeches. Still ranks on my best memories at the time as a reader and I think a great way for little
    ones to get a taste. Worked for me,anyway. sg

    Tales from Shakespeare was the title. The Enchanted island, I believe was their retelling of The Tempest. sg

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  2. Who introduced me to Shakespeare? The answer is complicated. When I was 11 I was walking through the kitchen while my mom was having a conversation. All of a sudden she said, "Well you know, we *do* have the complete works of Shakespeare." I stopped in my tracks, and asked in astonishment why nobody ever told me this. I started reading Hamlet in very little time. It took me three years off and on to read all the plays. So, I guess I was never really introduced to Shakespeare in an intentional manner.
    Your blog is very interesting-you should update it more often.(:

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