| Return to News Index SHAKESPEARE COMES ALIVE AT PRAIRIE CREEK To visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theater would normally require a plane ticket (or a time machine). But on Thursday, fourth and fifth grade students at Prairie Creek brought the Globe to Northfield. Students wrapped up a two month study of Shakespeare and his plays by transforming their school into Elizabethan London. A trash filled Thames flowed across the gym, minstrels played recorder in the lobby, and rootbeer and ginger ale were on tap in the tavern. Students also performed new versions of the plays they had read. Midsummer Night’s Dream set Oberon and Titania on a disco stage and Macbeth, the usurper Burger King, was slain by Macduff, a veggie burger. Students produced six plays in all, keeping much of the bard’s language in tact but adding a few modern updates. “I’ve always believed young students can and should study Shakespeare,” said school director Caroline Jones, “I’ve even done Shakespeare with kindergarteners.” This year’s kindergarteners laughed from their seats in the “groundling” section then lined up to get Shakespearean goatees in the marketplace. Simon Tyler, teacher of one of the classes involved, explained the process, “We read prose versions of many plays then chose our favorites to read in the original. Students then debated what they thought were the six most important characters, plot elements and speeches and used those to create a new version.” Students were in charge of all aspects of the day from publicity to the stage layout. “By immersing themselves in the time period and taking leadership in the project, they learn more deeply than if we simply have them read about it – although we did do a lot of reading to research details and get ideas,” explained Michelle Martin, another teacher. The players gathered in the tavern at the end of the morning to celebrate the performances with a “biscuit” and ginger ale. A Puritan (Ms. Martin) appeared to remind them not to have too much fun. “And watch out for those play houses – I hear they attract all sorts of unseemly youth!” she said with a wink. ### |
