There is a stigma about Shakespeare's work: that it's stuffy and pretentious, hard to understand, and not fun. But Shakespeare is anything but! His plays were the blockbusters of his day -- energetic and entertaining. While a good way to understand Shakespeare is to see it performed, there are also many other ways to get to know his work. 

Stone Soup Shakespeare offers a variety of workshops that can be geared towards students, youth groups, community organizations, teachers, or families. Some are focused specifically on Shakespeare, which others focus on creating ensembles, existing in communities, and telling stories. If you are interested in bringing a workshop to your community, please contact us at
​[email protected].

Upcoming Workshops
January in Carbondale! Check for specific details soon

Alasdair Hunter with workshop students at Paducah Tilghman High School

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To schedule a private Workshop or Masterclass please contact us to discuss affordable options for your group
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Available Workshops

Shakespeare Alive!

Shakespeare was meant to be heard. This workshop helps students understand the bard by teaching them to give his text life. The program can be geared to students who are more performance oriented or to those who are just trying to figure out why Shakespeare doesn’t quite sound like he’s from around here.

Acting the Bard

Acting Shakespeare provides us with a chance to understand his world and language from the inside. We offer group workshops and private study of Shakespeare's texts and characters through vocal, physical, textual, and scene work.

Storytelling

Everyone has a story to tell, and all stories are important. This program helps students develop individual and communal voices at the same time -- leading them to find stories of their own and appreciate the tales of others.

Macbeth Masterclass

Learn about Macbeth: the history, the tragedy, and the curse. Learn about what it is to devise a play, to rehearse, and to create a story-telling experience. Then we'll all put on the play together! We will work with your students to give them parts in our production and then perform the entire play with them. When they are not performing, they will be watching their friends. This event can be for a class or a grade, but performed for the entire school.

Mask

Masks can help bring people out from their shells and this workshop aims to do just that.  Whether students are interested in the art of acting in mask, or are just looking at a different way of imagining the world, the mask work can help.  Depending on how much time is available mask making can be incorporated into the program.

Teaching Shakespeare

Shakespeare can be fun – all it takes is a few tools to shake the fear of Shakespeare from the classroom.  We’ll discuss problems in the classroom, look at new and old techniques for approaching Shakespeare and work together to make sure you don’t fear approaching Shakespeare as much as your students might.  Additionally we’ll look at how Shakespeare’s stories can help teach other lessons – not just English.

All workshops can be catered to all ages and time constraints.  A minimum of 90 minutes is required to cover a basic lesson, but longer sessions as well as recurring sessions are available from week-long intensives to term-long residencies.  The teacher workshop is held once a quarter in roving locations.  Once a teacher has attended we offer support through an on-line group set-up just for past participants.  Additionally any school hosting a week-long program or longer for their students will receive a free micro-session for those interested teachers.
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For pricing, availability and ways to obtain grants for the programs please contact Julia at [email protected] or call 202.696.6300