Summer is, in many ways, the ideal time for children to engage with Shakespeare’s world: school-free hours for putting on a play, warm weather in which to enjoy nature, and plenty of opportunity to think about all of the seasonal associations that come up in plays and sonnets. As we enter the final stretch of summer, though, energy can flag…So it’s important to have activities up your sleeve that can keep the momentum going, while also letting the young performers (and their teachers!) rest a bit.
For those off-days, we suggest holding a mini-film festival devoted to Shakespeare! Think about cinematic adaptations of Julius Caesar, Hamlet, and (naturally) A Midsummer Night’s Dream. There are multiple film versions of so many plays; just think about the age-range of your audience as you make your choice, as some works may not be the best fit for younger crowds.
You can set up the environment in whatever way suits the children best: maybe they want to have a relaxed evening viewing with pillows and ice cream, or perhaps a more structured screening with tickets, popcorn, and chairs set up like a “real” movie theatre. Whichever format you choose, we recommend splitting the movies into two screenings – this extends the fun and also accommodates shorter attention spans.
What’s especially helpful about the film festival is that it generates lots of great discussion. The next time you meet after the screenings, you can talk about the movie together and think about costumes, performances, and setting. And of course, get ideas for the troupe’s next production!