EDUCATION
Shake On The Block
This workshop will help young writers discover the magic, fun and craziness of the immortal bard, William Shakespeare, through play-writing, adaptation and performance. Each session students breakdown a Shakespearean play, which they then adapt for performance by adding street slang and modern English. Students are introduced to the rudiments of the theater making process and develop skills in acting, memorization, adaptation, staging and performance while creating cool, dynamic new characters based on Shakespeare’s plays. The workshop culminates in a dynamic multimedia performance that is free and open to the public.
About This Program
Running since 2014, Shake on the Block supports students in the Spring and Summer to explore Shakespeare and focus on breaking down the complex dynamics in Shakespeare's existing text. Students gain the skills to adapt a Shakespearean play using contemporary English and street slang. Students are also introduced to all aspects of theater-making, including acting, basic playwriting, memorization, staging, and design in both Shakespearean tradition and contemporary performance expressions.