In June, St. Anthony Park will once again host Shakespeare in St. Anthony Park, an opportunity for middle- and high school youth to hone their acting skills while exploring the world of Shakespeare’s plays. And the community will be able to enjoy the culmination of the summer program with plays performed outside at Luther Seminary and on the front lawn of St. Anthony Park Library.
Two workshops will be held in June on the seminary campus. Middle-school students, those who have completed fifth, sixth or seventh grades, can participate in Scenes and Speeches from Shakespeare, Monday, June 27, to Thursday, June 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The workshop will offer an engaging introduction to Shakespeare and an opportunity to have fun developing acting technique. Students will present highlights from their week on June 30 at 7 p.m. behind Gullixson Hall on the Luther Seminary campus.
High school students can participate in a two-week immersion into Shakespeare, as they prepare to perform “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” The high school workshop will be held Monday, June 13, through Friday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The play is one of Shakespeare’s quirkiest comedies and has something for everyone: gender-bending lovers, betrayal and forgiveness, outlaws and clowns, and a dog. Performances will be held Thursday and Friday, June 23 and 24, at 7 p.m. behind Gullixson Hall and Friday, June 24, at noon on the grounds of the St. Anthony Park Library.
The cost for the middle-school workshop is $100.The cost for the two-week high school workshop is $250. Scholarships are available.
Sam Bardwell, the leader of the workshops, is a Guthrie-trained actor, theater maker and educator. He has worked extensively on stage as well as behind the scenes with local theater companies. He has mentored youth in Shakespeare through camps, workshops and productions.
This is the third year of Shakespeare in St. Anthony Park, which is being organized by several neighbors who love theater and who know children who love theater. “We keep doing it because the kids have so much fun,” says co-founder and St. Anthony Park resident Janet Lawson.
You can help introduce young people to Shakespeare by spreading the word about these workshops and, when the performance time comes, bring your friends and family and spread a blanket.
To register, go to the Shakespeare in St. Anthony Park Facebook page and look for the “sign-up” link. Or email Janet Lawson at SAPShakespeare@gmail.com.
