This year, Shakespeare Players (ages 7-13) will be working on their own versions of As You Like It, The Tempest and a collection of comic scenes called Playing the Fool. The Upstart Crows (ages 12-18) will be working on The Taming of the Shrew. How do you deal with challenging kids? What are your training methods? We recognize that everyone has a bad day now and then, and we acknowledge feelings and try to make room for a variety of experiences, as long as one child’s challenges don’t disrupt the learning experi- ence of the rest of the group. We set aside a quiet space if a child needs to separate and relax before rejoining the group. Our teachers are all experienced Teaching Artists, many of whom are professional actors, directors and/or designers. All of our teachers are expected to know their craft (acting, directing, coaching) and to have experience with Shakespeare’s verse. In addi- tion, we provide training for the specific curriculum we’ve developed over the years. What kind of background do you expect from your teachers?
How is the ethnic mix in your camp? Do you wel- come all? Everyone is welcome at San Francisco Shakespeare Festival and all of our programs, includ- ing our summer camps. We have camps all over the Bay Area, and the ethnic mixes in our camps typical- ly reflect the community they take place in. In the South Bay (San Jose, Cupertino, Fremont, etc.), for example, at least half of our campers are of South Asian or Chinese heritage. I’m not really sure what to make of this question, because the work isn’t necessarily linear, so “for- ward” doesn’t have the kind of meaning it might have in, say, science or mathematics. Rather, I would say we could help the ambitious student move deep- er. Simply parsing the verse or memorizing their lines may challenge some students. The more ambitious student may memorize quickly, and can then work on developing an increasingly deep understanding of the character and the text, and can be coached to direct their ambition and energy toward greater and more nuanced expression. Do you think an ambitious student can be helped to move forward faster?
What is your message to our readers? Experience is welcome but not required to have a fun and enriching experience at Shakespeare Camp. For those with prior experi- ence, we’ll build on that and help move them to the next rung on the lad- der so as to speak. Those who are curious and new to theatre will experience the thrill of their first performance! Also, our camps tend to fill up quickly, so don’t delay. And if a camp is listed as “full” please add your child’s name to the wait- ing list, so we can deter- mine if we need to open another session.
Free Shakespeare in the Park: Pleasanton and Cupertino Check here for more details: http://www.sfshakes.org
24 www.indiaparentmagazine.org May 2019
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