It is a Shakespeare Year!

The Shakespeare Program has long been a cherished tradition at The Mead School, bringing to life classic plays such as As You Like It, Macbeth, Richard III, The Merry Wives Of Windsor, Pericles, the Prince of Tyre, and The Tempest. This year, our talented middle school students took on the challenge of presenting A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Our program is specifically designed for middle schoolers, who are at a pivotal stage in developing higher-order thinking and executive function skills. The Shakespeare Program empowers students to hone these abilities by diving deep into the world of Shakespeare. Beginning last fall, they embarked on a journey to uncover the roots of Shakespeare's works, exploring the playwright's life, the society in which he lived, and his profound influence on the English language.

With a solid foundation of knowledge, the students dissected the play and developed their own theme: "Making mischievous choices leads to fun, confusion, and ultimately, love." This theme, inspired by the famous line "The course of true love never did run smooth," set the stage for their unique interpretation of the play. Students auditioned for roles, memorized lines, mastered the art of speaking in Shakespearean language, and learned the intricate blocking needed to bring the production to life.

In this program, each student takes on both an acting role and a production job, creating a challenging yet exciting learning environment. By fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility, we witness our students' confidence grow as they overcome fears and tackle complex tasks. The demanding nature of the program ultimately builds endurance, stamina, and a deep appreciation for the work of Shakespeare.

Year after year, we marvel at the incredible talent and dedication displayed by our students as they conquer the immense challenge of bringing Shakespeare's timeless works to the stage. The success of this thought-provoking program lies in the trust we place in our students' abilities, as their ideas, designs, and interpretations guide the entire production. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and achievements of our young thespians in the years to come.

-Darleen Hickok, Drama Director