Red Bull Theater's Shakespeare in Schools program is based on the belief that practical experience with the plays of William Shakespeare and the art of dramatic storytelling are critical components of any education. The inclusion of theatrical exercises and heightened poetic text in the classroom increases literacy, improves public speaking skills, broadens understanding of social issues, encourages imaginative growth, teaches collaborative problem-solving, builds emotional intelligence, and promotes self-confidence in young people.
Shakespeare in Schools introduces Shakespeare in an accessible manner and engages the creativity of students through interactive residencies. Our trained teaching artists draw young people into the world of Shakespeare’s plays through movement, speech, and performance. Teaching through hands-on exercises and performance allows students to internalize the language, and to have fun! This program simultaneously provides classroom teachers valuable tools to integrate Shakespeare into lesson plans across the curriculum, to develop a repertory of methods for helping their students connect substantively with Shakespeare, and to become more confident teaching Shakespeare’s plays, themes, and language. Our program aligns with the NYC Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts.
We offer our tried and true in-class Shakespeare Residencies, and our BRAND NEW in-school Touring Production with optional associated residencies built through a social justice lens.
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In Spring 2025, we will be touring a production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in a partnership with Apocalyptic Artists Ensemble. This production of Midsummer, specially designed for students, will tour New York City middle and high schools, providing students with a unique theatrical experience. Employing minimal design and live musical elements, a company of actors and teaching artists will transform familiar school spaces into the magical and mischievous realm of the fairies.
We offer on-site performances at schools in the spring, as well as public school hour performances at an Off-Broadway New York theater for those schools that do not have access to an appropriate performance space. This tour is available in the NYC metro area and the surrounding suburbs of NJ, Westchester and Long Island.
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We are also offering our core Shakespeare in Schools Residency Program to middle and high school students. This program is rooted in the belief that practical experience with classical text and the art of dramatic storytelling are critical components of any education, and of special importance to the imaginative lives and emotional intelligence of the next generation.
We offer 6 session and 10 session core residencies. Flexible in structure, these residencies are designed in collaboration with classroom teachers and a professional teaching artist to provide unique ways to introduce students to Shakespeare in active, imaginative and meaningful ways. Each residency is the result of a customized, hands-on process of development and collaboration to meet each class's specific needs. Most residencies culminate with an open sharing for student peers, faculty and parents, depending on the partner's goals.
Costs vary depending on the length and structure of each program. Red Bull Theater is committed to helping make Shakespeare in Schools possible for all schools that would like to participate.
Please fill out THIS SURVEY with you are interested in these programs!
