Eighth Graders Embrace Shakespeare with a Twist

This spring, eighth grade students have been diving into the world of Shakespeare in a way that's anything but traditional. Under the guidance of their dedicated English and theater teachers, the students have embraced the Bard's iconic works with fresh and creative approaches, bringing the texts to life in ways that are both engaging and memorable. 

One standout project came from Mrs. Macdonald and Mrs. Jones’s English classes, where students explored Romeo and Juliet. Instead of merely reading the play, the students went above and beyond to immerse themselves in the text, creatively connecting with the characters they encountered. The result was a hands-on project that allowed them to engage both artistically and intellectually with Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. 

Each student picked a character from the play that resonated with them personally. They then worked with Mr. Northrup in the Think Tank makerspace to craft intricate wooden boxes that represented their chosen character. These were no ordinary boxes—they were personalized and unique, featuring engraved images, memorable quotes, and descriptive adjectives that captured the essence of the character. 

The creative twist didn’t stop there. Each box contained a special light-activated sound recording device. When opened, the box played the student’s voice reciting a famous line from their character. This combination of design, writing, and performance turned these boxes into interactive, multi-sensory projects. As the final part of the assignment, students performed their character’s lines in front of the class, deepening their connection to the text and the characters they had worked so hard to embody. 

Meanwhile, students in Ms. Lu Jones's theater class were also tackling Shakespeare, but with an equally creative spin. The class kicked off their Shakespeare unit with a Shakespeare Insult Tournament, which was won by Jacob M. ‘29. The fun didn’t stop there—students formed two acting companies: The Stratford Acting Company and The Avon Acting Company. Each group worked on a student-directed production, with The Avon Acting Company taking on Twelfth Night, and The Stratford Acting Company preparing a performance of Macbeth. 

What makes these productions even more exciting is that the scripts were adapted by Brendan Kelso, who reimagines classic literature with abridged scripts that blend modern language with the original Shakespearean text. This allowed the students to experience Shakespeare's works in a way that was both accessible and fun, incorporating humor alongside the more serious themes. This blend of the original language with modern sensibilities also helped the students understand the adaptability of Shakespeare's work, demonstrating how his plays can be set in any time or place. 

A fascinating aspect of the project was the decision by the girls in Ms. Jones’s class to form an all-female acting company. With Macbeth originally performed by an all-male cast, the girls chose to flip the script, making their version a bold, all-female performance. Thanks to the groundwork laid by Mrs. Macdonald, the students were already primed and excited to dive deeper into Shakespeare's world, and their passion was evident from the outset. 

Ms. Jones expressed how inspiring it has been to witness the students’ full engagement with the material. "They have learned not just about Shakespeare, but also about the adaptability of his work. From directing their own productions to acting, they’ve truly taken ownership of the entire process," she said. "I’ve never had a class so fully committed and willing to take risks with their acting choices. Their creativity and passion inspire me every day."