Help support Mr. Riner's Classroom

Few of our students have ever experienced a professional play- and only a handful of those have had the chance to enjoy Shakespeare. Unfortunately, budget cuts and funding limitations are putting their chance to do so in jeopardy. This unit gives students of all backgrounds and abilities an opportunity to not only watch a Shakespearean play and interact with professional actors, but to follow that with their own performance- many for the first time. Our students receive an introduction to Shakespeare and the theater in a way that they can enjoy and relate to, allowing them to think about the play's themes: family, societal pressure, identity, and swooning love- all unavoidable topics in the life of an eighth grader. By bringing theater to the school and having it performed each period, we reduce the financial and class time costs required for a traditional field trip, bringing the cost to only about ten dollars per student. Furthermore, the proximity that our classes have to the actors and the chance to interact with them makes theater more personal in a space that is comfortable for them, but not their daily classroom. It’s now something that they can be a part of through personal experience- seeing the play brought to life and hearing directly from the experts about the play’s subject matter, characters, and their challenges. This interaction with the actors is incredibly beneficial for the students' appreciation of theater and Shakespeare's work. We have been witness to students facing their fears about being on stage and speaking the notoriously difficult language. As a result, a part of literature that often feels challenging and distant becomes something relative, accessible, and fun.

About my class

Few of our students have ever experienced a professional play- and only a handful of those have had the chance to enjoy Shakespeare. Unfortunately, budget cuts and funding limitations are putting their chance to do so in jeopardy. This unit gives students of all backgrounds and abilities an opportunity to not only watch a Shakespearean play and interact with professional actors, but to follow that with their own performance- many for the first time. Our students receive an introduction to Shakespeare and the theater in a way that they can enjoy and relate to, allowing them to think about the play's themes: family, societal pressure, identity, and swooning love- all unavoidable topics in the life of an eighth grader. By bringing theater to the school and having it performed each period, we reduce the financial and class time costs required for a traditional field trip, bringing the cost to only about ten dollars per student. Furthermore, the proximity that our classes have to the actors and the chance to interact with them makes theater more personal in a space that is comfortable for them, but not their daily classroom. It’s now something that they can be a part of through personal experience- seeing the play brought to life and hearing directly from the experts about the play’s subject matter, characters, and their challenges. This interaction with the actors is incredibly beneficial for the students' appreciation of theater and Shakespeare's work. We have been witness to students facing their fears about being on stage and speaking the notoriously difficult language. As a result, a part of literature that often feels challenging and distant becomes something relative, accessible, and fun.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Mr. Riner's Classroom Edit display name

About my class

About my class

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Mr. Riner's Classroom Edit display name

About my class

About my class

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.