Open Forum

First off, is there a need for a book on this subject? I'm mulling over whether to write one. It would focus on how to produce Shakespeare for high school/middle school, how to simplify certain choices, how to edit a text down to a desirable length, and how to approach the idea of 'accessibility.'

If such a book was in demand, what other areas would you want it to address? 

As always, I thank you for your measured and awesome responses!

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Phillip Goodchild
Chapter Director, Ontario Thespians

Etobicoke ON
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I might add a section on addressing "Shakesfear" with students and/or parents. Students especially have a lot of preconceived ideas about Shakespeare. I've found students to be particularly wary of the Bard, and sometimes not even audition because of it. Of course, in the end, everyone has a blast, but getting over that initial fear can be a trial.

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Christopher Hamilton
Drama Teacher
Kennewick WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-13-2018 13:18
From: Phillip Goodchild
Subject: 'How To Produce Shakespeare' question

First off, is there a need for a book on this subject? I'm mulling over whether to write one. It would focus on how to produce Shakespeare for high school/middle school, how to simplify certain choices, how to edit a text down to a desirable length, and how to approach the idea of 'accessibility.'

If such a book was in demand, what other areas would you want it to address?

As always, I thank you for your measured and awesome responses!

------------------------------
Phillip Goodchild
Chapter Director, Ontario Thespians

Etobicoke ON
------------------------------

Original Message------

First off, is there a need for a book on this subject? I'm mulling over whether to write one. It would focus on how to produce Shakespeare for high school/middle school, how to simplify certain choices, how to edit a text down to a desirable length, and how to approach the idea of 'accessibility.'

If such a book was in demand, what other areas would you want it to address? 

As always, I thank you for your measured and awesome responses!

------------------------------
Phillip Goodchild
Chapter Director, Ontario Thespians

Etobicoke ON
------------------------------

Hey, Abbie!

I adore Ken's book, I use it to teach my own children (and had I found it before I left Ruskin, would likely be using it in the classroom, too!)

My plans for the book are more to do with other practical aspects...though I would be referencing things like Ludwig's book and others in terms of approaches to making Shakespeare accessible etc. Great suggestion, if anyone else hasn't read it yet, you should!

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Phillip Goodchild
Chapter Director, Ontario Thespians

Etobicoke ON
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-14-2018 07:37
From: Abbie Van Nostrand
Subject: 'How To Produce Shakespeare' question

Have you heard of Ken Ludwig's How To Teach Your Child Shakespeare -

http://www.howtoteachyourchildrenshakespeare.com? I'd consider it more of a guide than a textbook, but it's an enormously satisfying read. 

Abbie 

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Original Message------

First off, is there a need for a book on this subject? I'm mulling over whether to write one. It would focus on how to produce Shakespeare for high school/middle school, how to simplify certain choices, how to edit a text down to a desirable length, and how to approach the idea of 'accessibility.'

If such a book was in demand, what other areas would you want it to address?

As always, I thank you for your measured and awesome responses!

------------------------------
Phillip Goodchild
Chapter Director, Ontario Thespians

Etobicoke ON
------------------------------

Original Message------

Have you heard of Ken Ludwig's How To Teach Your Child Shakespeare -

http://www.howtoteachyourchildrenshakespeare.com? I'd consider it more of a guide than a textbook, but it's an enormously satisfying read. 

Abbie 

Get Outlook for iOS

Phillip, write your boo because I want to buy your book.

For me, the biggest challenge with kids and Shakespeare is to get them to understand that--elevated poetry or no elevated poetry--the actor's job is to honestly play a character with a problem.  I go to great lengths comically demonstrating the "SHAKESPEARE VOICE!"  You know the one, the IMPORTANT SPEECH-Y VOICE that those not in the know assume Shakespeare must be spoken in (even when the character is in the midst of heartbreaking crisis) and encouraging my 8th graders to avoid this pitfall.  

If you could infuse this spirit in a book, I think it would be worth reading.

P.s. One thing that helps combat this is a deep understanding of what's going on with the character in the moment, which, in turn, requires a deep understanding of the story--there aren't shortcuts.

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Ryan Moore
Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
Royal Oak MI
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-13-2018 13:18
From: Phillip Goodchild
Subject: 'How To Produce Shakespeare' question

First off, is there a need for a book on this subject? I'm mulling over whether to write one. It would focus on how to produce Shakespeare for high school/middle school, how to simplify certain choices, how to edit a text down to a desirable length, and how to approach the idea of 'accessibility.'

If such a book was in demand, what other areas would you want it to address?

As always, I thank you for your measured and awesome responses!

------------------------------
Phillip Goodchild
Chapter Director, Ontario Thespians

Etobicoke ON
------------------------------