Making Shakespeare fun for kids

"Look at these kids," beamed Susan Wilson, while she and director Richard Carter helped prepare more than 40 Lopez Island youngsters who will be performing in two Shakespeare plays later this month.

"It's a gigantic task," Wilson admitted, regarding preparations for "As You Like It" and "Twelfth Night." Each will be presented Nov. 9, 10, 11 and 12 at Lopez Center. But the kids' enthusiasm, together with the incredibly large amount of support she and Carter receive from local parents and friends, make the effort a pleasure, not a burden. Or, as Wilson put it, "It's heart work for me."

But it's not all fun and games. The directors make the kids work hard, and with good results. The kids have improved so much, Carter said, confident that audience members will be in for two special treats. "They're extraordinary young actors," he said.

Yet the purpose of performing Shakespeare isn't merely to put on a good show. Just as important is to help the children develop skills that will last them a lifetime, regardless of their future endeavors. Not only are they developing acting and listening skills, they are also learning the importance of teamwork and expanding their friendship circles while having fun.

Emma Ewert, a high school junior who has been in the program since its inception in 1999, offered another reason why she continues to participate every year, "It has helped me feel more self-confident," she said with a big smile, then was quick to add, "I love acting."

Seventh grader Elena Bakker, who has also been in the local Shakespeare plays for seven consecutive years, credits Carter and Wilson for the program's continued success. "They do a good job of making everybody happy," she said.

But the youngsters also are thrilled to get to perform in a Shakespeare play every year, and the veterans are no longer intimidated by the prospect of having to speak the lines that were written by the Bard. "It was scary the first time," Elena admitted, "but now it's fun, and you learn a whole new language."

No wonder the kids keep prodding the directors to continue directing a show year after year. "During the spring and summer months, the kids start coming up to me to find out when play rehearsals will begin," Wilson said.

Emma Ewert and Elena Bakker aren't the only children who have been in the program since its inception. In fact, few kids leave prior to graduation from high school. No wonder the number of actors continues to grow every year.

The program has also become a formal company, and its performances will be preceded by a benefit preview concert intended to deepen playgoers’ enjoyment and understanding of the plays, and provide funding for what is now formally known as the Community Shakespeare Company (CSC).

The concert will take place Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m., also at Lopez Center.

According to violinist and teacher Celia Rosenberger, Shakespeare made frequent reference in his plays to the popular music of his time, which was as familiar to his audiences as the Beatles are to us. “He could quote one line of a song, and everyone would know the whole story,” Rosenberger said.

Rosenberger will direct the Lopez Community Orchestra, most of whose members are her young and adult students. Sharing the stage will be professional musicians Sand Dalton, Margret Gries, Peter Gries, and Jim Rich. Young actors from the Community Shakespeare Company will recite favorite Shakespeare monologues during the concert.

Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, $5 for adults ages 12 to 18, and free for those under 12. The event is not appropriate for small children.

As for the plays, "As You Like It" will be performed Nov. 9 - 12 at 4:30 p.m., while "Twelfth Night" will take place the same four days at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.