The English-Speaking Union and the world-renowned Folger Shakespeare Library offer Shakespeare Set Free Institutes, a professional development opportunity for middle school and high school English and drama teachers. Both established teachers and young educators new to teaching Shakespeare are welcome to attend. These intensive and interactive two-day institutes use the Folger’s smart, easily-adapted methods and materials to teach performance-based approaches to Shakespeare.
The program takes place at select English-Speaking Union Branches across the country in the summer. These low-cost, non-residential institutes target the surrounding teaching community, but most are also open to any interested teacher in the country. In Summer 2011 eight Shakespeare Set Free Institutes were held nationwide: Fort Lauderdale, FL; Greensboro, NC; Louisville, KY; Nashville, TN; New York, NY (National Headquarters); Oklahoma City, OK; Tulsa, OK and Winter Park, FL. Approximately 200 teachers from 21 states came back to their classrooms refreshed and motivated with new ways to teach the Bard’s works. Read more about the 2011 Institutes
To learn more, view the photo essay or watch video of performance exercises
PERFORMANCE-BASED TEACHING METHOD
According to the Folger Shakespeare Library, performance-based teaching is an interactive approach to the study of Shakespeare’s plays and poems, in which students participate in close reading of the text through intellectual, physical and vocal engagement. This type of teaching creates a connection with Shakespeare’s works that may not be present with traditional teaching methods. Learn more about the Folger at www.folger.edu
STRUCTURE
The Shakespeare Set Free Institutes consist of three complementary strands: scholarship, performance and pedagogy. These strands are woven together into the two-day format, creating a well-rounded program for eager educators.
SCHOLARSHIP: Thought-provoking lectures and seminars from prominent Shakespeare scholars.
PEDAGOGY: Engaging and effective curriculum sessions with a Folger Master Teacher.
PERFORMANCE: Interactive, on-your-feet performance classes with a teaching artist.
The Institutes conclude with all participants studying, rehearsing and acting out scenes from some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays in a mini Shakespeare festival.
MATERIALS
The Folger Shakespeare Library has the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare materials, so the program would not be complete without a material component. Institute participants receive a copy of the Folger‘s Shakespeare Set Free Toolkit, which includes digital and print items for setting Shakespeare free among their students. Teachers are able to bring back books, DVDs, lesson plans, handouts and much more to their classrooms.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT
All attendees receive a participation certificate, which may be used to obtain professional development credit from their schools. Most Institutes consist of 16 hours or more of professional development credit.
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2012 Shakespeare Set Free Institutes |
(NOTE: A complete, updated list of participating 2012 ESU Branches will be posted in mid-February.)
June 11 & 12, 2012 (ESU Ft. Lauderdale Branch)
June 13 & 14, 2012 (ESU Central Florida Branch)
June 17 & 18, 2012 (ESU Kentucky Branch)
Week of July 17*, 2012 (ESU Oklahoma City Branch) * EXACT DATES TBA
July 2012, (ESU National Headquarters, NYC) * EXACT DATES TBA
August 2 & 3, 2012 (ESU St. Louis Branch)
August 6 & 7, 2012 (ESU Lexington, VA Branch)
Week of August 7, 2012* (ESU Tulsa Branch) *EXACT DATES TBA
For more information on the Shakespeare Set Free Institutes, please contact
Katharine Moran at 212-818-1200 Ext. 223 or at shakespeare@esuus.org.
