Teaching Will: The Workshops

I ran the Shakespeare Club for six years and, though the first year was trial by fire, I learned how to engage children in Shakespeare’s plots and characters, how to introduce to them the wonder and discipline of theatre craft, and how to help kids find the courage to share their work.

Empowerment is the name of the game. Kids want power and I say let’s give it to them with the Bard's gigantic stories and complex characters.

Now I'm offering to schools single-session workshops in which I share my Shakespeare knowledge with their students, as well as the opportunity for me to show teachers, parents and volunteers what they need to kickstart their own Shakespeare Club. There's even a Teaching Will fundraising option.

BRING SHAKESPEARE TO YOUR STUDENTS
through interactive workshops with Mel Ryane, author of TEACHING WILL

WORKSHOP 1 WHO IT'S FOR: 3rd-, 4th- & 5th-graders WHAT IT INCLUDES: Setting the Scene: A look at the Elizabethan period, William Shakespeare, his life in Stratford-Upon-Avon, and how the lives of girls and boys differed then. Calm, Curious & Courageous: How does an actor prepare? An overview of the process, with bodies and voices ready. "What fools these mortals be": An introduction to the characters, plot and themes of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Casting Call: Select students will enact a scene from the play for their classmates. The Quill: Journal writing with prompts, with an invitation to share writing aloud.

WORKSHOP 2 WHO IT'S FOR: 6th-, 7th- & 8th-graders WHAT IT INCLUDES: Power, Revenge & Love: Who was William Shakespeare? What were his characters' motivations? A look at the major themes of his plays. The Classics: Discussing the plots of Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard III, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Calm, Curious & Courageous: How does an actor prepare? An overview of the process, with bodies and voices ready. Casting Call: Select students will perform major Shakespearean scenes for their classmates. The Quill: Journal writing with prompts, with an invitation to share writing aloud.

WORKSHOP 3 WHO IT'S FOR: Teachers, educators, performing-arts directors, volunteers, and anyone who wants to start a Shakespeare program at their school. WHAT IT INCLUDES: A guide on how to adapt a Shakespeare play for kids. How to plan an 18-week Shakespeare curriculum. Tips on introducing the Elizabethan period, the life of Shakespeare, and the plots, themes and genres of his plays. How to help students tackle iambic verse and theatre craft. How to engage students' imaginations through journal writing.

THE "TEACHING WILL" FUNDRAISER WHO IT'S FOR: Schools looking to raise awareness of the importance of performing arts programs — as well as some money to support them with. WHAT IT INCLUDES: An inspiring speech by Mel about empowering children through Shakespeare. A reading from Teaching Will. A video presentation about Shakespeare Club successes. A Q & A session. Book sales and signing, with all profits going to the host school.

Workshops are offered on an à la carte basis. Maximum length of each workshop is 90 minutes. For pricing and more information, please contact Mel Ryane at teachingwill@gmail.com.

ABOUT MEL:

Mel Ryane is the author of Teaching Will: What Shakespeare and 10 Kids Gave Me That Hollywood Couldn't (Familius). In this memoir, Mel recounts her chaotic first year of The Shakespeare Club, which she volunteered to create at her local elementary school. Over the course of her six years at the school, she enriched the lives of hundreds of kids.

To see Mel in action, click here.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"We have a visiting author every year and Mel was, hands down, our favorite! The kids loved her and could not believe that Shakespeare could be so much fun."

—Nancy Linari, Visiting Author Committee Chair, St. Francis de Sales School

"The Shakespeare Club opened the door to the love of literature and theatrical expression! This amazing club has made even the shy kids shine and become the stars of the show!"

—Elvia Perez, teacher

"The. Best. Time. Ever."

—a 3rd-grade Shakespeare Club member

CHILDREN'S WRITES: A Journal Entry

I learned that I can do anything I like I can be anyone I want I learned that I can do Shakspear.

—Celia, 5th grade