
Contact our Education Department
206-733-8228 ext. 212
Seattle Shakespeare Company's productions are part of Shakespeare in American Communities: Shakespeare for a New Generation, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest.
We define a Seattle Shakespeare Company residency as three or more class sessions of active, customized curriculum at your school. Professional teaching artists plan with the teacher to tailor each residency to fit the needs and objectives of the classroom.
Residencies are designed to inject vibrant, active exercises into lessons that unlock the text, themes, and actions of a Shakespeare play. Since every residency is customized, they can vary greatly. Washington State Essential Academic Learning requirements in the Arts can be satisfied in a Seattle Shakespeare Company residency.
A short, 1- to 4-day introduction to a specific Shakespeare play. In just a short period of time, we will cover themes of the play, characters, and setting, and given/special circumstances of the play.
Sample Romeo and Juliet Residency (4 days)
Day 1: Introduction to Shakespeare’s world and iambic pentameter
Day 2: Stage combat
Day 3: Elizabethan dance
Day 4: Scene studies from Romeo and Juliet
Take a Shakespeare play off the pages and put it on its feet! Acting, dancing, fighting – you name it. We work with a Shakespeare play in your curriculum the way that Shakespeare would have intended — as actors!
We get to know the characters, themes, and setting, and speak the language until it feels natural to students, even if they have never read Shakespeare before. Play intensive residencies typically last 3 to 6 weeks.
This residency covers a variety of topics around Shakespeare’s life and work, plays and sonnets — giving students a fresh and comprehensive connection to Shakespeare’s world that will enrich their encounters with his work for life!
Students dive into Shakespeare several times a week over the course of a month, culminating in a showcase of scenes from Shakespeare.
Master teaching artists work with classroom teachers to build a curriculum that focuses on scenes from two or more Shakespeare plays. Everyone is a leading actor!
Pre- or post- show workshops
One class period (about one hour)
Use this valuable interactive workshop to enhance your students’ enjoyment when attending a student matinee. A professional teaching artist will use the language of the play to get your students on their feet and using Shakespeare’s words to gain a better understanding of the language, themes, action, and characters when they see the play.
Half-hour session
Ask questions, make comments, get insights into the play! Students join cast members in the theatre immediately following a performance. This is an opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion of the play with actors in the theatre..
Led by teaching artists in your classroom. All workshops last one class period (about one hour) for up to 30 participants.
Invite Seattle Shakespeare Company to lead your students through an actor's exploration of Shakespeare's verse as they see, hear, analyze, write and perform their soliloquies or sonnets.
*Mileage fees may apply outside Seattle area.