The following theater professionals , in addition to Ms . Kitt , conducted the workshops :
Peter Flynn : Director , writer and educator
Michael Eisenstein : Expert in fight choreography
Donna Vivino : Actor and teaching artist
Bailey Lee : Actor , theatermaker and teaching artist
Kitty Baker : Actor and theater educator
Jamila Sabares : Actor and singer
Nick Lehan : Actor , singer and teacher
Julia Gleason : Dancer and theater educator
Kyle MacArthur : Actor and theater educator
way Shakespeare stereotypes gender or class , enacted how , when Romeo expresses emotion he is called a woman ; and then imagined a scene in which Juliet challenges stereotypes by standing up to her father . Another group was challenged to consider “ what if ?” – to imagine a key scene , considering how differently the plot might have unfolded if characters made different decisions . In this instance , the group reimagined and rewrote a scene as if Romeo and Juliet were not in love ; rather , Romeo was a creepy stalker .
There was joy in the theatre on performance day , not insignificantly because it was one of the first times during the pandemic that the boys and girls could perform in person on our stage . “ The pandemic taught us that kids need to be up on their feet in a vibrant classroom . When we were not able to have these social and learning exchanges , there was such a loss ,” Ms . Kitt remarked . “ To witness ‘ living Shakespeare ’ in the hands of the eager , intelligent , and talented students collaborating on this classical text with such a modern interpretation was inspiring . We were so fortunate to work with the English departments from both schools as well as theater professionals and teaching artists who brought diverse and enriching exercises to the program .”
“ I was delighted with how comfortable and engaged the participants were ,” said Mrs . Aoyama , expressing that the ease with which the boys and girls interacted spoke to the strength of single-gender education in providing both boys and girls with a strong sense of who they are , so that when they came together they felt confident and capable .
For Mrs . Aoyama , the secret to the workshop ’ s success was clear : the English teachers ’ passion about the material and the Broadway-level expert professionals at the helm . “ For boys , this and all our school partnerships provide students with a path forward ,” she said . “ When you see an expert in their field , watch them acting or directing , it may inspire you to explore a new field ; you think , ‘ Ah I may want to do that .’ ” In fact , participant Trey R . ’ 22 was so impressed with the way the workshop leaders used fun techniques to help the students move beyond their comfort zones that , “ the experience made me very interested in pursuing theater in high school , something I wasn ’ t considering before ,” he said .
Edward O . ’ 22 found value in learning how to collaborate well with people he didn ’ t know . “ The workshops also gave me a good sense of how the play was performed and seen in an actual theater . I enjoyed experimenting and being creative with iambic pentameter .”
Ultimately , as Mr . Romanosky noted , the students , “ achieved first-hand the realization that the cultural treasures that are Shakespeare ’ s plays are not really books to be read , but vital physical experiences that simultaneously appeal to the mind , body , and emotions – that they are great human creations that are uniquely permeated with life .” •
RoseMarie Alfieri is Director of Strategic Communications at Saint David ’ s School .
30 • Saint David ’ s Magazine