Shakespeare in the Classroom: An Educator's Retreat

Friday, March 22, 9:30 am until 3:30 pm
Led by the acclaimed Fiona Ross of the Royal Shakespeare Company. We have successfully secured comprehensive sponsorship for educators in the Montague district. Please email info@montagueshakespearefestival.com for sign-up info.

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Shakespeare in the Classroom!

“Shakespeare in the Classroom!” is a dynamic 5-hour workshop tailored for English and drama teachers, part of the Montague Shakespeare Festival. This Fiona Ross-led session aims to provide teachers with cutting-edge tools and strategies for teaching Shakespeare in a fun and approachable way that goes beyond conventional glossaries.

We have successfully secured comprehensive sponsorship for educators in the Montague district. Please email info@montagueshakespearefestival.com, and they will provide details for sign-ups.

Fiona Ross

With over two decades of association with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at Stratford-upon-Avon, Fiona’s expertise and passion for Shakespeare’s works run deep.

Her tenure at the RSC has seen her lead national and international projects, imparting her knowledge and enthusiasm for Shakespeare across the globe—from Bangkok to the Cayman Islands and New York. Her dynamic approach has enabled actors, community groups, and educators to engage deeply with Shakespeare’s texts, fostering a profound appreciation and understanding of his works.

Workshop Overview:

Innovative Teaching Techniques: Learn creative strategies to introduce Shakespeare’s works in a way that captivates and connects with students of various age groups.

Analyzing Shakespeare with Fun: Discover methods to analyze Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets that are both enjoyable and educational, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding among students.

Practical Classroom Activities: The workshop includes various hands-on activities that can be directly applied in the classroom, making the learning process interactive and enjoyable.

Workshop Highlights:

Engagement Without Glossaries: Explore how to teach Shakespeare’s language and themes without relying heavily on glossaries, making his works more approachable and relatable for students.

Interactive Learning Approaches: Dive into interactive teaching methods that encourage active student participation, discussion, and exploration.

Building the Perfect Essay: Gain insights into guiding students to write insightful and original essays on Shakespeare’s works derived from their own understanding and enjoyment of the text.

Why Attend?

“Shakespeare in the Classroom!” is more than just a professional development session; it’s an opportunity to transform how Shakespeare is taught and perceived in educational settings. This workshop aims to break down the barriers that often make Shakespeare’s works seem daunting to students, replacing them with a sense of excitement and discovery.

Join Fiona Ross for this enlightening workshop and redefine how you bring Shakespeare to life in your classroom. Foster a new generation of Shakespeare enthusiasts by making his timeless works accessible, enjoyable, and relevant.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Underwriters

Australis Aquaculture • Artisan Beverage Cooperative • Benjamin Company • Berkshire Brewing Company • Cohn and Company Real Estate Agency • Community Credit • Common Capital • Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts • Connecticut River Internists • Dean's Beans • Easthampton Savings Bank • FirstLight GDF Suezna • Gill Tavern • Goff Media • Great Falls Harvest • Green River Festival • Greenfield Community College • Greenfield Cooperative Bank • Greenfield Savings Bank • Loot • Massachusetts Cultural Council • Montague Bookmill Montague WebWorks • Northeast Solar • People's Pint • Rainmaker Consulting • The Rendezvous • Solar Store of Greenfield • Stobierski and Connor • Told Video • True North Transit • Turn It Up

Exciting News for A Happening IV: Leviathan

Cloudgaze and Eggtooth Productions are thrilled to announce that we have received a generous grant from the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice to support our 2024 Immersive Arts Festival, “A Happening IV: Leviathan.”

This festival will transform the Shea Theater into an exploration of theme, hosting installations, music, theatrical performances, and movement pieces, featuring the collective contributions of over 30 local artists. Audiences will experience otherworldly environments and narratives inspired by folklore, fairy tales, horror motifs, American literature, and the mythos of the Old Testament, all of which delve into the central question guiding the festival: "What does it mean to encounter something greater than yourself and to be consumed by it?" Through this theme, we explore how a community reemerges and imagines itself after destruction and transformation.

With the support of the Markham-Nathan Fund, we are excited to create an event that complicates perspectives and fosters meaningful dialogue. We are grateful for this partnership and for the work of the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice.

Thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for their vital support this year.We'd also like to thank the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their support in the form of a Flexible Funding grant. We couldn't do this work without you!