2015 NYC Student Shakespeare Festival by CUNY Creative Arts Team

The City University of New York Creative Arts Team

NYC Student Shakespeare Festival

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival – Overview

The 22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival is sponsored by NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the NYS Council on the Arts, with additional support from Penguin Group USA, The Lucille Lortel Foundation, Jack Nadel International, and Participating NYC Dept. of Education Schools: Brooklyn High School of the Arts • Cobble Hill School of American Studies Colonel David Marcus School of Arts and Letters, P.S. 217 Energy Tech High School • Fordham High School for the Arts H.E.R.O. High (Health, Education, and Research Occupations High School) High School for Service and Learning • High School for Youth and Community Development at Erasmus Information Technology High School • The Laurel Hill School • Muscota New School, P.S. 314 New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math and Sciences II • PS 105K The Blythebourne PS 131K PS 250 • PS 316 • Renaissance Charter School • Waterside Children’s Studio School, PS 317 William E. Grady Career & Technical High School • York Early College Academy

Special thanks to: Sara Clemens at Penguin Group USA, Andrea Delman at Jack Nadel International, Nancy Elaine Hurvitz and the amazing Lucille Lortel Theatre staff, Nancy Clarke, Rachel Castillo, Nassib Saad, and Kiran Rikhye.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Information Technology High School .................................................................. 20 PS 131K (Gauvin/Nicoletti) .................................................................................... 21 Colonel David Marcus International School of Arts & Letters, PS 217 ............. 22 Muscota New School ............................................................................................ 23 William E. Grady Career & Technical Education High School ......................... 24 PS 316 (Gilbert) ....................................................................................................... 25 PS 316 (Young) ........................................................................................................ 26 New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math & Sciences II ............. 27 York Early College Academy ............................................................................... 28 Energy Tech High School....................................................................................... 30 The Cobble Hill School of American Studies (Constantin) ............................... 31 The Laurel Hill School.............................................................................................. 32 Renaissance Charter School ................................................................................ 33 High School for Service and Learning ................................................................. 34 The Cobble Hill School of American Studies (Cardona) .................................. 35 The Cobble Hill School of American Studies (Hodges) ..................................... 36 PS 105K The Blythebourne ..................................................................................... 37 Fordham High School for the Arts ........................................................................ 38 PS 250 ....................................................................................................................... 39 Waterside Children’s Studio School, PS 317 ........................................................ 40 Brooklyn High School of the Arts .......................................................................... 41 High School for Youth and Community Development ..................................... 42 Highlights from 2015: Beyond the Festival ........................................................... 43 About the CUNY • Creative Arts Team ................................................ Backpage 2015 New York City Shakespeare Festival Staff................................... Backpage

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22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival – Overview

Director’s Message .................................................................................................. 4 About the Festival .................................................................................................... 5 2015 Program Review .............................................................................................. 6 2015 Festival Team ................................................................................................... 8 2015 Participating Schools .................................................................................... 10 2015 Participating Teachers ................................................................................. 12 PS 131K (Woo) ......................................................................................................... 14 H.E.R.O. High School .............................................................................................. 15 PS 131K (Dewald) ................................................................................................... 16 PS 131K (Windbish) ................................................................................................. 17 PS 131K (Gerace/Hannon) ................................................................................... 18 PS 131K (Santiago) ................................................................................................. 19

Director’s Message

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival –Year in Review

This season, now in the third year of our new Shakespeare Festival model, we dramatically expanded both its scope and reach. With new support from the New York State Council on the Arts, we not only served a record number of schools, but we also offered these schools an extra site visit with Sonnet Man after the Festival’s wrap. From the first professional development with our new teachers, it was clear to all of us that this was going to be a very special year. Though few of them had prior experience with Shakespeare or even with theatre, they were willing to fling themselves into our studentcentered, collaborative devising process, seemingly without hesitation. Using the techniques we’ve developed over many years, these inspiring teachers found a beautiful balance of freedom and structure with their students, offering them a powerful expressive tool to share their feelings about such issues as bullying, racism, misogyny, and family tension, all through the words of William Shakespeare. The teachers collaborated with their assigned teaching artists in site visits designed to support their work and challenge them further, and many of these pairings have grown into friendships over the months of festival preparation. After months of hard work, over 700 students from around the City convened for four days at the Lucille Lortel, an off-Broadway theatre, performing their Shakespeare-inspired creations to a packed and excited audience of their peers. Their day was kicked off by an inspiring performance by Sonnet Man, a rapper whose mission is to bring new rhythms to the Bard’s work. Not only did the Festival day mark the first time nearly all of the students had the opportunity to perform, but for most it was also the first time they had heard Shakespeare’s words spoken aloud, and for many it was their very first time in a theatre other than their school auditorium. Novices though they might be, they bravely and enthusiastically leapt into their delightful performances and into the day’s many activities, including a surprisingly rollicking round of Shakespeare trivia. And after the students proudly took their bows, they had the opportunity to celebrate the work of their partner schools in peerfeedback sessions which proved both insightful and moving. In the months after the Festival, students were treated to a visit with Sonnet Man who helped them craft (and rap!) their own Shakespearean sonnets. I am so proud of the work of the teachers, their students, and our team of teachings artists, and frankly cannot wait to begin this process all again in a few months.

Jon Stancato Director, NYC Student Shakespeare Festival Above: CAT’s Festival Staff Below: The fantastic Lortel Staff Page 4

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Year in Review

NYC Student Shakespeare Festival Founded in 1993, CAT's Shakespeare program is a unique opportunity for educators and students to celebrate the raw power and dazzling beauty of Shakespeare's work. The program is built on the belief that Shakespeare is best learned in the act of performing his words. It's a one-of-a-kind opportunity for NYC teachers of grades 2-12 to learn how to use Shakespeare to build their students' academic, social and emotional skills, while addressing the Common Core Learning Standards, as well as NYS Arts Standards and the NYC Blueprint For Teaching and Learning in the Arts in an active, creative way. Participating teachers, under the guidance of CAT's professional teaching artists, increase their own understanding of Shakespeare, drama, learner-centered education, and classroom management. They lead their students in developing an original 8-minute piece of theatre marrying Shakespeare's language and themes with their students' interests and curricular goals. The experience culminates with students performing their theatre pieces before an audience of hundreds of their NYC peers at the famous Lucille Lortel Off-Broadway Theatre in Manhattan. Teachers walk away with myriad tools for ongoing drama education, academic success, and student engagement. Students walk away with a love of Shakespeare, enhanced language and drama skills, and new friendships.

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PROGRAM REVIEW The CUNY/CAT NYC Student Shakespeare Festival (NYCSSF) is a scaffolded program that features professional development workshops for educators, in-class coaching residencies with teachers and students, and a culminating performance during a multi-day festival at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival –Year in Review

Through this program, teachers learned how to create, with their students, an original work of theatre using Shakespeare’s text that expresses stories and themes chosen by the students, and how to guide students with no theatrical experience through the acting process to perform these collaboratively devised pieces on an Off-Broadway stage. The professional development aspect of the program, held at the CUNY/CAT offices in Manhattan, focused on supporting teachers in developing the following skills:

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Collective creation Acting Playwriting Directing Reading comprehension

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Text analysis Vocal technique Physical comedy Conflict resolution Peer feedback

During this process, teachers receive thorough lesson plans as well as our comprehensive NYCSSF Teacher Resource Guide.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION TO DEVISING WITH SHAKESPEARE December 12, 2014, 9am-2pm (New Teacher Training) The first professional development workshop was tailored as an introduction for new teacher to the NYC SSF experience. The teachers are introduced to the festival’s mission, to create a space in which students can create their own original work of theatre using Shakespeare’s text. This process allows them complete freedom of expression to tell the stories that are meaningful to them whilst giving them a clear structure as they attempt to express these stories by collaging Shakespeare’s poetry and prose. In this first training, we guide the new teachers in our process with activities to support each of the below steps: 1.

Find out what your students want to make a play about

Explore these themes theatrically and physically with your students

Choose a theme and create a series of tableaux to tell a story which communicates this theme

Select excerpts from a Shakespeare play which can support this narrative

Layer them into the tableaux and add movement and repetition to support the action.

REMIXING THE BARD: DEVISING WITH SHAKESPEARE, PART I January 9, 2015, 9am-2pm After welcoming our teachers to the training by having them hurl Shakespearean insults at each other, we devoted the day to building several important skills which the teachers could implement after successfully achieving the above. They learned how to use some creative dramaturgy to expand their 5 frozen tableaux into 5 expanded and dynamic scenes, each with a clear beginning, middle, and end. They also learned how to use some innovative casting and staging techniques to create exciting performance opportunities for their large classes (sometimes up to 40 students!) within these scenes. Our veteran teachers got a special breakout session modeling different ways to transform a group of students into an activated ensemble. Page 6

“I’ve always struggled with letting kids take control and this has shown me how.” - 1st year teacher

PROGRAM REVIEW REMIXING THE BARD: DEVISING WITH SHAKESPEARE, PART II February 6, 2015, 9am-2pm

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival –Year in Review

Our final PD offered a potpourri of mixed skills necessary to make the teachers’ pieces festival-ready. We offered tools to enhance students’ use of their voices and to help students make clear decisions with their text. The teachers explored, through our activities, some fundamental staging principles and had an opportunity to experiment with different styles of directorial feedback. They also learned how to marry the rhythms of hip hop with the poetry of the Bard. Finally, we grounded the teachers in some of the fundamental principles of comedy so they could further enrich their pieces.

CLASSROOM VISITS A total of 29 classes participated in the Shakespeare Festival, representing 20 different schools. Each class received four visits from CAT teaching artists. As a complement to the professional development training provided to teachers, these visits gave the students and teachers a chance to have a teaching artist work with them on their scenes. A total of 116 classroom visits served 816 students and educators.

21ST ANNUAL NYC STUDENT SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL The highlight of the program was the 4-day festival of performances held at the Lucille Lortel Theatre at 121 Christopher Street in Manhattan. 750 students performed in the festival, with over 800 students, teachers and guests attending the festival. After each performance, CAT actor teachers gathered with participating classes and teachers to share observations and feedback. Each class received an “award of excellence” for their unique adaptation of Shakespeare. All participants received a certificate and student-designed Festival t-shirt. Teachers received a set of Shakespeare texts for their classrooms, provided by Penguin USA.

OUTCOMES On post-Festival surveys, 100% of the responding teachers reported that the Festival program helped develop their students’ self-expression, empathy, ability to collaborate, creative problem solving skills, their theatre appreciation skills and their enthusiasm and interest in Shakespeare. 100% of respondents also reported that the Festival increased students’ literacy skills, as identified by the Common Core, including: acknowledging different point of view, using words and phrases acquired through conversation, being read to, and responding to texts; making connections between self, text and the world around them; speaking audibly and expression thoughts, feeling and ideas clearly, and identifying real-life connections between words and their use. Pertaining to the Danielson Framework for Teaching, 94% of teachers agreed that the program helped them learn to effectively use and integrate student responses and ideas, encourage high levels of student participation in discussion, and create lesson plans that inspire student enthusiasm, interest, thinking and problem-solving. 61% of students noted an increase in their listening and speaking skills, as well as communication and participation. 90% of students said they are more comfortable with Shakespearean/classical texts. 95% reported increased ability to listen to their classmates’ ideas and express their own, as well as greater comfort working with a group to create something. 98% said they helped explore, choose and plan their scene; 96% noted the opportunity to give and receive feedback throughout the process. 81% of responding students said they would like to do more theatre; 20% of students said that they participate in no other in-school arts programming. Page 7

THE FESTIVAL TEAM

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival – Overview

Jon Stancato, NYCSSF Director Lauded as "ingenious" by the New York Times, Jon is Co-Artistic Director of Stolen Chair, the 4-time Drama Desk-nominated theatre company he founded with his partner, Kiran Rikhye, in 2002. He has co-created directed 15 original works for Stolen Chair, including 2013's The Man Who Laughs, a live silent film for the stage, and last season's Potion: A Play in 3 Cocktails. Jon teaches his distinctive approach to physical theatre to over 1,000 students each year. He has taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), Yale, the European College of Liberal Arts (Berlin), Bard College, Swarthmore College, and Pace University among others. Over the past eleven years, Jon has worked for the CUNY/ Creative Arts Team New York City Student Shakespeare Festival as a commentator, teaching artist, master teacher, and, now, artistic director.

Laura Butler Rivera, NYCSSF Teaching Artist Laura has performed and offered theater workshops in Berlin, Japan, Romania, Italy, US, Australia, Colombia, and Puerto Rico. She was a movement Coach for Love’s Labours Lost, a Columbia University’s thesis, directed by Andrei Serban. Laura studied Voice & Speech and Shakespeare with Kristin Linklater and worked alongside Thomas Butts in Romania with the German actors company (Teatrul German de Stat Timisoara) coaching movement and speech for various Shakespeare monologues. She is an Artistic Director of One-Eighth Theater (UBU, The Proposal, and Cho H Cho developed at Mabou Mines), a co-founder of Cloud of Fools Theater Company (The Whistling Mortician and EUROPA), and an associate member of CABORCA Theatre (Zoetrope, Open Up Hadrian, and Las Minutas de Martí). Taught Acting I for Columbia University’s MFA acting class of ‘13 (Adjunct Assistant Professor). She is currently Faculty for the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts where she has taught Voice and Speech, Movement, and Vocal and Physical Dynamics for Camera. She has acted in: Comedy of Errors (NYC and Germany), Three Gifts for Lenny Bruce (Target Margin Theater Lab), so go the ghosts of méxico (La MaMa Theater); On The Beach (curated by Robert Wilson, BAC), Castle of Giants (The Windmill Factory), among others. She holds an MFA in Acting from Columbia University, and a BA in Drama from the University of Puerto Rico. laurabutlerrivera.com

Liz Eckert, NYCSSF Teaching Artist Liz is a New York based teaching artist, voice and text coach, and performer whose love affair with Shakespeare began with her acting debut in the fifth grade as “dancer” in a school production of Romeo and Juliet. For many years, she has performed in and taught workshops related to several of Shakespeare plays with Flock Theater in New London, CT, and she studied with internationally recognized Shakespeare expert Kristin Linklater at Columbia University School of the Arts’ Graduate Acting Program. She is a Designated Linklater Voice Teacher and has have coached and taught at Columbia School of the Arts, Columbia Business School, Barnard College, The Linklater Center for Voice and Language, Circle in the Square Theatre School, LAByrinth Theatre Company, HB Studios, and Sibiu International Theater Festival (Romania).

Anne Gridley, NYCSSF Teaching Artist Actor, dramaturg, and founding member of the Nature Theater of Oklahoma. Dramaturg for the Wooster Group’s production Who’s Your Dada?, MoMA, NY. Performed for Jerôme Bel’s The Show Must Go On MoMA, NY. With Nature Theater: Poetics: a Ballet Brut; No Dice (Obie, 2008); Romeo & Juliet (Montblanc Young Directors Prize 2008; “Best Performers of 2010” Hilton Als, The New Yorker); Life & Times (Obie 2013). Performed at venues such as SoHo Rep, the Kitchen, and the Public Theater in NY; Theatre de Ville, Festival d’Avignon, France; Burgtheater, Vienna; H.A.U., Kampnagel, and Ruhrtriennale, Germany, as well as numerous other venues throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and the U.S. Taught “Devised Theater” at Bard College, Spring 2014. B.A. Bard College; M.F.A. Columbia University.

Javier Gonzalez, NYCSSF Teaching Artist Javier writes, directs, and teaches theater in New York City and is the Artistic Director of Caborca. Productions of his original plays and adaptations include Zoetrope (Pregones Theater), Open up, Hadrian (Magic Futurebox), FLORIDITA, my Love (Teatro LA TEA /IATI Theater), Barceloneta, de noche (Union Theatre, London/IATI Theater, NY), Un instante en una especie de flash, (Yerbabruja, Puerto Rico), Never as Happy-Oresteia (Theatre of the Riverside Church), Uneventful Deaths for Agathon (FringeNYC) and Las minutas de Martí (Repertorio Español). FLORIDITA, my Love was published by New York Theater Page 8

THE FESTIVAL TEAM Experience as part of the anthology Plays and Playwrights 2011 and also online at Indie Theater Now along with Open up, Hadrian and Uneventful Deaths for Agathon. Other plays include: THE FUTURE OF BOOKS, The Actor in Spite of Herself and Dogwood. As a director, in addition to his own plays, González has collaborated with the painter John Ransom Phillips on his multi-media performance piece Mommy in Four Acts, and has also created multiple site-specific works in Puerto Rico and New York. González has been a member of the Public Theater’s Emerging Writers Group, a Van Lier Directing Fellow, an Associate Artist at Classic Stage Company, and was named a NYTheatre.com“Person of the Year” in 2010. He holds an MFA in Directing from Columbia University.

"Jensen was born in Bataan, Philippines. Her mother was an English as a Second Language teacher, and her father was a U.S. Naval officer. As a Navy brat, Jensen has lived in the Philippines, Japan, and California. She has visited such countries, as South Korea, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Mexico, Israel, Occupied Palestine, and Canada, and has travelled throughout the United States. Since graduating from Columbia with her MFA in Acting in 2012, she has worked at the Classic Stage Company, The Secret Theatre, Theatre Row, Columbia Stages, IATI, and Theatre for the New City to name a few. Regionally she has worked at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, The Baltimore Theatre Project, North Coast Rep, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and most recently, at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, where she earned her Equity card. Jensen calls Brooklyn her artistic home. Her band, JenJo and the Bone, a trio of voice, bass, and trombone, is continually developing their music and has been performing in New York City since 2013. She continues to develop her musical ear by studying voice and cello. In NYC, Jensen is a teaching artist where she has taught Shakespeare for middle schools and high schools, through Classic Stage Company and the Creative Arts Team, and also with the Manhattan Shakespeare Project, she taught movement workshops at Al Quds Bard Honors College in Palestine, and for Jerusalem’s Theatre in the Rough."

David Skeist, NYCSSF Teaching Artist David is an actor, teacher, and producer living in Brooklyn. He has performed at the Public Theater, Theater for a New Audience, Classic Stage Company, The Skirball Center, Peak Performances at Montclair State University, and Joe's Pub and has worked with artists such as Richard Foreman, David Gordon, Elizabeth Swados, Len Jenkin, and Adam Rapp. David has also worked often with some of New York's most innovative independent ensembles including Stolen Chair, Dangerous Ground Productions, PL115, The Representatives, and Caborca Theatre of which he is the Associate Artistic Director. He has played some of Shakespeare's most coveted and/or interesting roles in Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Titus Andronicus, Cymbeline, The Comedy of Errors, and Love's Labour's Lost, and was chosen for the highly selective Public Theater Shakespeare Lab in 2011. He has taught Acting and Movement at Columbia University and New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, as well as workshops for DreamYard Prep, The New School, and the German State Theatre in Timisoara, Romania. David holds a BA from Harvard and an MFA from Columbia.

Devon Glover, The Sonnet Man Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Devon has enjoyed performing since childhood when he would perform songs for his friends. He has a degree in Mathematics from Ithaca College, where he also studied education while perfecting his craft performing/teaching on the stage. Devon Glover was able to begin blending his love for teaching and rapping while working for the company, Flocabulary, which varies in different subjects. Devon began working with Shakespeare while teaching the play Othello to a group of H.S. seniors in Brooklyn. His previous work and experience in education led to the creation of The Sonnet Man. As The Sonnet Man, Devon provides a unique form of edu-tainment (educational entertainment) where he adds the Bard's words to a contemporary hip-hop beat, followed by a breakdown from Devon. His success with The Sonnet Man has led to the making of The Sonnet Man CD, an appearance on The Today Show, a performance in Ontario, Canada, an annual show in Negril, Jamaica, as well as numerous workshops throughout the US. Devon is very excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Student Shakespeare Festival. www.thesonnetmannyc.com

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22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival – Overview

Jensen Olaya, NYCSSF Teaching Artist

2015 Participating Schools (In order of appearance)

March 17, 2015  PS 131K (Woo)

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival –Year in Review

 H.E.R.O. (Health, Education, and Research Occupations) High School  PS 131K (Dewald)  PS 131K (Windbish)  PS 131K (Gerace/Hannon)  PS 131K (Santiago)  Information Technology High School  PS 131K (Gauvin/Nicoletti)

March 18, 2015  Colonel David Marcus International School of Arts & Letters, PS 217  Muscota New School  William E. Grady Career & Technical Education High School  PS 316 (Gilbert)  PS 316 (Young)  New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math & Sciences II  York Early College Academy

March 19, 2015  Energy Tech High School  The Cobble Hill School of American Studies (Constantin)  The Laurel Hill School  Renaissance Charter School  High School for Service and Learning  The Cobble Hill School of American Studies (Cardona)  The Cobble Hill School of American Studies (Hodges)

March 20, 2015  PS 105K The Blythebourne  Fordham High School for the Arts  PS 250  Waterside Children’s Studio School, PS 317  Brooklyn High School of the Arts  High School for Youth and Community Development

Congratulations to all! Page 10

2015 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Brooklyn High School of the Arts 345 Dean Street Brooklyn, NY 11215

G. Information Technology High School 21-16 44th Road Long Island City, NY 11101

Energy Tech High School 36-01 28th Street Long Island City, NY 11106

Muscota New School 4862 Broadway New York, NY 10034

New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math and Sciences II 900 Tinton Avenue Bronx, NY 10456

N. PS 316 350 Classon Ave Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY 11238 O. Renaissance Charter School 35-59 81 Street Jackson Heights, NY 11372 P.

C. Fordham High School for the Arts 500 East Fordham Road Bronx,, NY 10458 D. HERO (Health, Education, and

Research Occupations)

High School 455 Southern Blvd Bronx, NY 10455

High School for Service and Learning 911 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn, NY 11226

PS 131 4305 Fort Hamilton Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11219

PS 217 Col. David Marcus International School of Arts and Letters 1100 Newkirk Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11230

High School for Youth and Community Development 911 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn, NY 11226

PS 105K 1031 59 Street Brooklyn, NY 11219

M. PS 250 108 Montrose Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11206

The Cobble Hill School of American Studies 347 Baltic Street Brooklyn, NY 11201

Q. The Laurel Hill School 201 Old Town Road East Setauket, NY 11733 R.

Waterside Children's Studio School, PS 317 190 Beach 110th St. Rockaway Park, NY 11694

William E. Grady High School 25 Brighton 4th Road Brooklyn, NY 11235

York Early College Academy 284Q 108-35 167th Street (4th floor) Jamaica, NY 11433

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22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Year in Review

IN THE WORDS OF 2015 PARTICIPATING TEACHERS... “I’ve learned interesting and engaging ways to increase vocabulary, creativity, brainstorming, speaking, writing… In other words, the best way to teach the Common Core!” - PS 105K

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival –Year in Review

“I’m able to replicate the process with other classes and in other projects.” -Renaissance Charter School “The Festival helps me in that it is very student-centered, which means the ideas, the script and acting comes from a place of interest and agency.” - HS for Youth & Community Development “I have learned a great deal about acting, directing, Shakespeare and patience. Above all, I have learned how to stop micromanaging.” - High School for Service and Learning “Being a part of the NYC Student Shakespeare festival reminds me to play and let the students create. I feel that I grow as a director and teacher every year.” - PS 250 “This year I learned how to incorporate rhythmic beats into our presentation at the festival. I benefitted greatly from the staff development days where the teaching artists broke down the theatrical activities so they are teachable to my students. I’ve used the ‘good food, bad food’ activity to help my students understand positive and negative connotations and ultimately communicate these ‘feelings’ to the audience.” -Info Tech HS “One ‘aha’ moment was watching the kids pull it together! It was a great reminder that they do know what they need to do and can rely on the skills they learned.” - New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math & Sciences II “I think the biggest ‘aha’ moment may be realizing how important timing and transitions are. Teaching students that humor is in the details and in the effective use of time really stretched out their piece, made it clearer, and more enjoyable.” -PS 131 “Participating in the Shakespeare Festival Project has made me a better teacher. I truly feel that it has helped me to listen to my students in a more effective way. I am always aware and constantly learning from my students as I hope they are learning from me, but this experience has allowed me to view the perspectives of my students in a different and more understanding way.” The Laurel Hill School “At first, the students could do very little without a very specific stage direction. They also showed confusion with the whole process, as they came up with more exciting and ‘funny’ ideas their interests grew, and the play took on a life of its own.” -PS 131 “Every year I am reminded of the benefits of creating unique works of theater with my students. This year specifically, I was able to include song and movement in our play and that showed me yet another way that I can grab and hold onto students’ interest during this process.” - Waterside Children’s Studio School “I have learned that no matter what socio-economic, language differences, cultural difference and learning styles that all students can be successful through this process.” -PS 131 “I really learned a lot about stage directing, and using text in ways to convey different meanings. It was also a refresher in how to understand and interpret Shakespearean language.” -PS 131 “This process helped me to see some theatrical skills my students had that I had not noticed before.” -PS 131 “Differentiating instruction while teaching a thematic unit using Shakespearean text.” The Cobble Hill School of American Studies “My ‘aha!’ moment was when everything was said and done, how much my students absolutely loved this process.” -PS131 “Going from the BBC animated takes to an abridged 30 minutes version to the Folger full-length play addressed the needs of all levels of students.” - Fordham High School for the Arts “We arrived at the Festival, and my 11th graders saw a 5th grade class in costume, fully memorized, and on point. They looked at me and said ‘Miss, they gonna kill us!!’ I just looked at them and smiled, and they immediately started running lines with each other because they know younger kids had taken aspects more seriously. They wanted the younger kids to look up to them.” New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math & Sciences II “My students developed a central question (How should young people treat each other in relationship?) and focused on addressing that question throughout their scene from As You Like It! They helped literary skills while having fun with Shakespeare’s words. My students enhanced their self-confidence and interpersonal skills while preparing for their Festival performance and on the actual performance day. The entire experience was educational and enjoyable!!” -Info Tech HS “Students watched the video footage of their ‘Taming of the Shrew’ scene and with a rubric, assessed their work. They then revised it on their feet for a future performance at school.” - Fordham High School for the Arts

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“By the end of the process, each student was keenly aware and responsible for their unique role in the group.” -Renaissance Charter School “I have been trying three past years to figure out how to add music and movement to our pieces. My students like to sing and dance but do not do well with stomping beats or raps. Our PD segment to set Shakespeare to pop songs gave me my ‘Aha’ moment this year.” - Waterside Children’s Studio School

“Sitting back and being quiet, insisting students lead themselves, allows the process to happen naturally. Opens magical doors!” - High School for Service and Learning “I’ve gained a greater understanding of the way Shakespeare can impact today’s situation. The same social issues we face today he faced back in the day.” -PS 316 Elijah Stroud “My students became confident public speakers during the process of this performance presentation.” -The Cobble Hill School of American Studies “My ‘Aha’ moment was to let the students’ interests and knowledge (musical background and previous experiences with theatre) drive our preparation for the Festival. The kids took charge of their Festival piece, and they felt great pride in ownership of their performance. This is hard for teachers like myself, but everyone was happier as a result.” -Info Tech HS “I have one student in particular who has poor reactions to failure or what he perceives to be a failure (a grade of 90 instead of 100). On an emotional level, I have seen him say that no matter what, if he doesn’t do his best, he feel badly and usually cries. Throughout this process, this young man had a sizable role to play. He practiced and worked just as hard as others, but still had what he considered minor ‘failures’. Initially, you could see him tear up and he excused himself from rehearsals, but eventually he learned to power through and it made him stronger. The day before out play our second semester report cards were issued and he made Merit roll instead of Honor Roll. Where this previously would have resulted in tears, he did say to me that although he was disappointed, he knows that he will work harder to achieve success next time. I strongly believe that it was through the process of our Festival preparation that he has learned to adjust his reactions.” -The Laurel Hill School “‘Aha’ moments were scattered throughout this process for me. The first being that I, myself am more comfortable working independently than with larger group. I am inherently shy, although most people would never know this. I completely enjoyed my time acting and rehearsing with the students. The second ‘Aha’ moment for me came as I realized that it was okay to ask for help. I usually will work until I collapse, but I have learned that I cannot do everything. My ability to delegate has actually improved, I felt less stress and my students have benefitted. What I took away from this process is what I have much to add to our school and the curriculum and that programs like these are wonderful tools for any teacher.” -The Laurel Hill School “Jensen and Laura really helped me realize that students have a natural ability to express themselves emotionally on stage, if I would just allow them to discover it on their own.” -The Cobble Hill School of American Studies “On the morning of our performance I had two students refuse to board the bus because they were nervous to perform and miss out on time with their friends who were not part of our Shakespeare program. After encouragement from fellow cast members, something they would not have experienced had we not developed this bond during our playmaking process, they boarded the bus, performed well, and were glad they did.” - Waterside Children’s Studio School “After the first PD, I walked into a different class where we were working on creating a scene from song lyrics, which has never yielded the results for which I aim. I applied the paradigm for the Shakespeare project, and lo and behold, the best song to scene project we’ve ever produced.” -Renaissance Charter School “Students use quotes from Shakespeare to make points in casual conversation with peers. (Overheard several times)” - High School for Service and Learning “Through the project, I am more comfortable both teaching and directing Shakespeare. I also really appreciated the directing techniques we learned in the 3rd workshop. I will continue to use those!” - New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math & Sciences II “One of my Special Ed students rarely participates or talks in class. She generally keeps to herself. After participating in the Festival, she has connected to a social group and is more outgoing. Also, the students were shocked to hear her scream (in the scene].” - High School for Youth & Community Development “I was so proud to watch my students take ownership of the play, from the brainstorming to the acting to the constant feedback and revisions!” - PS 105K Page 13

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival –Year in Review

“The workshops gave me invaluable practices for making Shakespeare fun and accessible from an ELA & performance perspective. The festival itself was fun and enlightening for me and the class.” -The Cobble Hill School of American Studies

PS 131K â&#x20AC;˘ BROOKLYN, NY

Why Does Bullying Still Exist? 22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201D;March 17, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Romeo & Juliet DIRECTED BY: May Woo During basketball practice, one player bullies another. She finds the courage to fight back, but is fighting the only way to battle a bully? ENSEMBLE: Nusayba Ahmed Mohammad Aman Amna Amjad Abullah Arafin Imran Bin Ashraf Anna Feliciano Tarun Fleming Daniella Flores Kai Huang Trina Jahan Asfaq Kamal Darien Mendez Kelly Mendez Aylin Mendoza Nathaniel Mogolian Abdulla Mohamed Albino Deyaneinera Moral Jhan Paez Sonia Perez Janet Pineda Cynthia Ramirez Jennifer Ramirez Begzod Ravshanov Jose Rincon David Salazar Jordi Siguencia-Carch Diana Soto Cristian Tlatelpa Daniela Vargas Anthony Wang Evelyn Zapata

All PS 131K Classes would like to thank: Ruth Quiles, Jackie Nikovic, and Alina Alvarez (PS 131 Administration), Ms. Helen Barry (Art Design Teacher), Ms. Carrie McCrossan (Music Teacher), Ms. Jeanette Bonilla (Performing Arts Teacher), Javier Antonio Gonzales, Laura Butler Rivera, Jensen Olaya (CAT Teaching Artists), and Shakespeare Festival Staff and Director

Festival Award: Excellence in Thrilling Choral Speech Page 14

HERO (HEALTH, EDUCATION, & RESEARCH OCCUPATIONS) HS • BRONX, NY

The Battle of the Sexes ADAPTED FROM: Macbeth & Henry VI, Part I DIRECTED BY: Daniel Quentin Greif

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 17, 2015

A crowd gathers in a park around the statue of Lady Macbeth, dressed in armor. Lady Macbeth, now an old woman, sits with her grandchildren to tell them the story of her youth. Many years earlier, she dreamed of fighting in her country’s wars, but, being a woman, was forbidden. So she dressed as a man and fought, fiercely winning battle after battle for her side. At a campfire one night, she revealed her secret, and despite the shock and disdain of some of her comrades, she won them over and they celebrated her as a hero, worthy of a great monument. ENSEMBLE: Sherecia Cunningham Medelin Cuevas Waly Wade Cristian Velez Jorge Brittany Russaw Vanessa Perez Gabriel Mercedes Brye Joseph Castro

Festival Award: Excellence in Sophisticated Sociopolitical Storytelling Page 15

PS 131K • BROOKLYN, NY

They’re Just Not For Me! 22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 17, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: The Merchant of Venice DIRECTED BY: Alexis Dewald It seemed like just a regular day at the pizzeria for Alex and Kendall, until they were presented with the opportunity of a lifetime! Once arrogance and competition come into play, however, they realize this is not the way to success, and that hard work and honesty will triumph in the end. ENSEMBLE: Ciarra Acevedo Iliana Avelino Samandar Bagirov Juan Cantor Kendall Cassar Joe Chen Xin Yang Chen Calvin Collazo Daniel Cuapio Jenny Cuatlapantzi Wilmer Cuzco Mandy Fang Matthew Ferrer Mary Franklin Elizabeth Garcia Wei Wei Hu Sherry Huang Tiffany Liu Leylanie Martinez Anthony Munguia Melanie Pena Ayanna Reyes Daniel Romero Miguel Rosas Espinoza Alexander Tenempaguay Binnie Wong Syeda Zahan Anna Zhu

Students said...

“My favorite part of the project was coming up with scenes and what happened in them because it allowed me to express my creativity and help create a real play. I learned how to understand old English. I also learned a lot of Shakespeare trivia, like how he invented the word ‘undress’. I also learned how directing works in theaters. Finally I learned that there’s a festival to celebrate Shakespeare.” “My favorite part of this project was the acting out the scenes because I love acting, and if I made the other students laugh I’m glad because then I was successful. From this project I learned many facts about Shakespeare and I also learned most of Shakespeare language. I learned that facing my body to the audience is really important. I learned to be more confident after doing this project.” “My favorite part of this project is when we thought about themes for our play. That was my favorite part because we all got to share ideas. In this project I learned insults that were used long ago. I’ve also learned interesting facts about Shakespeare and what some Shakespeare words mean.” “I learned that you have to make acting realistic and do the right emotions to connect with the part you’re playing and you shouldn’t speed up your line or they won’t understand.” “My favorite part of this project was rehearsing the play because when you rehearse than you will be better and will know what to do. I learned from this project is the words in Shakespeare language, what a script looks like, Shakespeare insults.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Using Teamwork to Showcase Competition Page 16

PS 131K • BROOKLYN, NY

Words Matter ADAPTED FROM: Othello DIRECTED BY: Violet Windbish

ENSEMBLE: Alejandro Bermudez Angelique Bosque Genesis Bravo Jimmy Chen Malk Firas Dalila Garcia Eric Guerrero Arjuman Hossain Fahmidah Islam Camilla Jiang Jeffrey Leyva Shurong Li Rafael Lopez Katherine Lucero Merrill Lynch Antonio Martinez Carlos Mejia Adrian Molina Leuna Muhit Nazifa Nabi Muhammed Panni Jayda Ramos Cindy Remache Giselle Reyes Allan Rodriguez Antony Rodriguez Sameel Shakeel Antelmo Ventura Princesa Zanes Arno Zheng Jason Zhuo

Students said...

“From this project, I have learned another way to express myself and another way to have fun. I also learned about how Shakespeare made up his own words.” “My favorite part of this project was learning new words that William Shakespeare created.” “My favorite part of this project was when we acted with the words we memorized because then we could see the happy, sad and worried parts of the play.” “My favorite part is to be acting with my friends and classmates because then I won’t be shy when I’m acting.” “I have learned more about Shakespeare’s books, and his words, and how was his life back then.” “I have learned a lot of themes in the project. For example I learned that being left out makes kids feel bad.” My favorite part was when I was doing the play with my class because they encourage me.” “My favorite part was when the villains felt the words that the princess said to them.” “I learned that words matter.” “My favorite part was when we got to see other Shakespeare plays and saying our parts. I also liked Sonnet Man.” “My favorite part of this project was when Sonnet Man was singing on the stage because I had never experienced somebody singing in front of me.” “My favorite part of this project was when my class performed because I was creative and I had fun doing it. I never had this experience before.” “I learned that words matter in life.” “I learned that Shakespeare is a fun thing to do no matter how old you are.” “My favorite part was performing on the Shakespearean stage as the 1st Villain.” “My favorite part was when I go out like a villain mad and angry. Also my favorite part was when I performed in the Shakespeare Theater.” “I learned that if you work together it is more better.” Festival Award: Excellence in playfulness and spontaneity Page 17

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 17, 2015

They say: "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." A group of innocent students will soon find out if this is true, and if not, how to surpass it.

PS 131K • BROOKLYN, NY

A Story of Jealousy 22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 17, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Romeo and Juliet DIRECTED BY: Jennifer Gerace & Melissa Hannon For a new couple, jealousy can be a pain as sweet as a pair of newlyweds.

ENSEMBLE: Jesus Lucas Karla Dominguez Rachely Figueroa Donovan Rodriguez Sergio Prieto Johnny Aguilar Litzy Leveron Analisa Ringston Eric Malave Anthony Moran Edwin Peralta Jose Diego-Campos Joseph Estrella

Festival Award: Excellence in Clear Characterization and Plot Page 18

PS 131K • BROOKLYN, NY

The Untold Story of the Unsinkable Ship, The Titanic ADAPTED FROM: The Tempest DIRECTED BY: Samantha Santiago

ENSEMBLE: Chris Agolli Ibraheem Ahmad Yovana Alcantara Camila Arias Dimas Arita Meybelin Avalos Jesus Baltazar Derrick Barnes Jill Caralampio Ana Jenny Castillo Ashley Castro Leslie Chen Cesar Cruz Nilay Dey Cristal Garcia Maria Guzman Brian Hoang Jacky Huang Zhi Feng Lin Haseeb Malik Leandra Minguela Daisy Nunez Grace Nunez Victoria Rivera Mark Anthony Rojas Kimberly Romero Ernesto Sierra Bryan Singh Kaelyn Sosa Andreas Taha Aldo Vazquez Anita Zhu

Students said...

“My favorite part of this project was when we finally got on stage. I think this because when we were on stage we grabbed everybody’s attention. I also think this because after all our practicing and hard work we finally got on stage. I have learned that you can achieve anything on stage. I think this is because we went on stage and now I don’t have stage fright.” “During the project I’ve learned to look at the audience. For example, according to Ms. Bonnie she states ‘if your butt is on the audience they can’t see what you’re doing.’ Also…we are far from the audience so if we speak louder they could hear you.” “I learned that it takes a long time to practice and it’s harder than you expect from this project. Kids were shy and some hesitated and some kids were talking when we were practicing. It took a few weeks to make our play a good one.” “I have learned to speak louder and be more serious when it comes to acting things out.” “I learned from this project that acting is a fun thing to do. I also learned that I wanna do more theatre.” “My favorite part of this project is when my class started saying the insults, because the people or audience was getting so into our play. Also, the actors were like ‘ohhh’ when the person said ‘out dung hill,’ it means ‘out poop hill.’ They made it dramatic.” “I’ve learned from this project that when you try something new you may like it.” “My favorite part of this project was when my class got to act out their characters because it was a great feeling. My class can make great memories. What I learned from this project is to reach for your goal because when I was acting out my character, I was giving my best. When I was acting, I felt so alive! This Shakespeare festival has inspired me to be on Broadway!” “My favorite part of the project is when we were brain storming because we came up with really cool lines. Another reason is because this is the part when I got my lines and my character. I have learned that working in groups helps my project a lot… because you might not know a line and someone can help you. Sometimes you can make a mistake and someone can help you.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Ensemble Energy Page 19

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 17, 2015

Two families, one rich, one poor, board the Titanic. But when disaster ensues, who gets saved? They realize they need each other to survive.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL • QUEENS, NY

Relationship Rules 22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 17, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: As You Like It DIRECTED BY: Heather Conn In this dystopian world, a group of young lovers compete to prove they know more about the art of wooing in the game of life. ENSEMBLE: Karida Ali Ashley Cruz Jonathan Gomez Javier A. Hernandez Demetri Jenkins Arcinello Jocson Cayla Kempf Soufian Mankour Marcus Medina Gustavo Regalado Sandra Rodriguez Tennille Vinson

Students said...

“My favorite part was talking to the little kids about the project. It showed that the little kids were not only enjoying the performance, but they were thinking and wondering about the performance. And, our group can reflect on the process of making the scene.” “My favorite part was the “32 second Macbeth Challenge” because it was fun to perform with other schools.” “What I learned from this project is that we can express our feelings and be ourselves.” “I liked hearing all the other performer’s opinions on our performance and listening to how they wanted to keep doing theater.” “I learned to be patient and listen to other’s ideas.” Festival Award: Excellence in Passionate Use of Rhythm and Voice Page 20

PS 131K â&#x20AC;˘ BROOKLYN, NY

Left Out ADAPTED FROM: Twelfth Night DIRECTED BY: Nicole Gauvin & Catherine Nicoletti

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201D;March 17, 2015

When a new student becomes very popular on his first day at school, the bond between two best friends is put to the test.

ENSEMBLE: Nicole Angel Torres Angela Arias Leonardo Campos Andy Castelan Ortega Jin Jin Chen Caroline Chiok Alexander Coronel Victor Cortes Bryant Garcia Julius Garcia Sandy Garcia Jayden Gonzalez Jose Herrera Yuchen Huang Marco Jeronimo Nasrin Khanam Richard Leon Melvyn Lucero Christian Martinez Sinae Martinez Doniyor Marufov Michael Mendez Denim Morrison Jasmina Nosirova Francisco Peralta Kayla Santiago Steven Shi Kevin Tam Yoselin Tapia Shiyu Wu Chloe Zhang Edison Zheng

Festival Award: Excellence in Emotional Clarity Page 21

COLONEL DAVID MARCUS SCHOOL, P.S. 217, MAGNET PROGRAM: THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ARTS & LETTERS • BROOKLYN, NY

The Standoff

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 18, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Hamlet DIRECTED BY: VanessaRose Watts Alton loves studying the art of dance, particularly ballet. His closet friends, however, are all in the local football team and feel that Alton should spend his time playing football instead, making him feel inferior. Alton must decide whether he should hold true to what he loves or change himself to please the wishes of his friends. ENSEMBLE: Mahir Adib Mahbuba Afreen Rahiq Alam Sameer Ali Prisa Bhowmik Samia Depa Ida Fitzgordon Musfika Huda Jeton Idrizi Farhan Khan Asma Manzoor Giovanny Marin-Cruz Thea Miller Micheal Mills Roy Nisson Logan Pavone Simone Peace Jack Pergola Chelsea Pickering Alton Thomas Robertson Simone Rosenthal Mohammed Sadaf Arwaa Saleem Alexa Scibetta Nora Septimus Raphael Serrano Daniel Siegel Isaac Walen Michael Zasepsky Special thanks to: Mrs. Conti, Ms. Van Auken, and the administration of P.S. 217 for all your unwavering support. Thank you to Ms. Jackson for all you do every day to help us succeed. And thank you to our wonderful class parents and families for cheering us on every step of the way!

Students said...

“My favorite part of this project was performing. This was because I got to perform in a theatre and different people were watching me, and in my school we just practiced on the stage. One thing that I have learned was some clues and a little bit Shakespearean words.” “I have learned that a lot of Shakespeare’s themes relate to modern, real world problems.” “My favorite part of the project was seeing others perform on stage and me performing on stage. I like watching them perform stories and some were funny and others were sad. I liked performing on stage because it was my first time doing it with my friends.” “My favorite part was when we were watching performances because of all the variations of plots there were. My favorite one was the civil right movement performance. I have learned how to be a better audience. I have learned this by sitting and watching all of those awesome performances. I also learned by having peers and teachers to help.” “I have learned that I should never be shy when I speak.” “My favorite part of the project is watching the performances because everyone’s performance was great. I have learned working together is better than working alone.” “I have learned more about how to work as a team without getting in a big fight.” “My favorite part was performing onstage because it was the first time I actually performed in front of a large audience. It was also fun. I learned more about Shakespeare, his plays and sonnets. I also learned about theater. I also learned how to communicate better.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Mastering Technique to Highlight Shakespeare’s Humanity Page 22

MUSCOTA NEW SCHOOL, PS 314 • MANHATTAN, NY

Family Feud: “A Plague O’ Both Your Houses!” ADAPTED FROM: Romeo and Juliet DIRECTED BY: Dayna Beegun

ENSEMBLE: ROMEO: Caribel Florentino & Tamara Figueroa JULIET: Julieta Crissien & Richell Perez NURSE: Gianna Arias & Marcelle Guilbet BENVOLIO: Beatrice Williams & Rahi Mitra FRIAR LAWRENCE: Linus Farer & Ty Jackson MERCUTIO: Ananda Liveright LADY CAPULET: Clara Bennett LORD CAPULET: Bonji Onuma TYBALT: Frida Jackson GREGORY: Isabella Calcano SAMPSON: Damitta Agosto PETER: Samantha Ortiz Special thanks to: Tara Mooney

Students said...

“My favorite part of this project was performing on an off-Broadway stage. This had helped me get confident to perform in front of larger groups of people. I also like to work with my cast. I’ve learned that not all schools have as many opportunities as I have. This showed me to use my opportunities wisely.” “My favorite part of the project was when we were watching. This was my favorite part because watching others was very interesting and is exciting. I have learned that Shakespeare had many amazing plays and his language.” “My favorite part was getting experience of being on Broadway and I loved getting to see others creativity and what they came up with. I learned that others are creative and that I should express my ideas to create something wonderful.” “My favorite part of the project was critiquing and admiring others’ work. It was great because after we do see everyone’s work we can see what we can do better.” “I learned from this project that William Shakespeare’s lines can be interpreted in many different ways.” “I learned that people perform in different ways.” “My favorite part about this project was experiencing the surroundings in Shakespeare’s time. This was my favorite part because I enjoyed exploring a different life.” “I learned that Shakespeare had different meaning for each of his plays.” “I learned how to pronounce Shakespeare’s words. I also learned how to make sure everyone’s ideas are incorporated and everyone gets to perform.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Seizing and Sharing the Spotlight Page 23

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 18, 2015

Two households, both alike, soon find out that the Family Feud is more than just a game. It's a life lesson.

WILLIAM E. GRADY CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION HS • BROOKLYN, NY

Love and Identity 22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 18, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Julius Caesar, As You Like It, Taming of the Shrew DIRECTED BY: Toni Ann Marano Ellis Two tribes find themselves in the wilderness, where they rediscover love, community and friendship. ENSEMBLE: Kalvin Bradford Michael Calixto Demeisha Campbell Deneisha Campbell Mikhail Crewe Brianna Cummings Nicalia Dawkins Andre Edwards Tamera Evans Garrick Nicholas Felumero Tiara George Jonathan Hanin Nicholas Herrera Sadia Joseph Aaliyah Kerr Renny Machado Aaron Minchala Cineas Nougues Michael Roitero Sebastian Ruiz Shanika Sewell Christina Smalls Barrington Spencer Brandon Sponsler Matthew Torres Jiming Wang Special thanks to: our principal, Ms. Montalbano, for all her support, and to Ms. D. Siagian for always attending

Students said...

“My favorite part was performing it in front of everyone because it shows out hard work paid off. I have learned more about how a play/show is organized.” “My favorite part was discussing about each other’s play. I personally didn’t learn much that I didn’t know, but I did go a little deeper in my understanding.” “The dance scene was my favorite because I like dancing and I thought it was fun and creative. I learned how to work with my classmates together and how to become a greater actor.” “I learned that putting time in to make something could work with practice & effort.” “My favorite part of this project is that my class really work together as a family to put together a wonderful play. I learned that listening can take you far because hearing everyone creative ideas from my classmates and those ideas turn into a very great play.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Creating and Inhabiting a Magical World Page 24

PS 316 ELIJAH STROUD • BROOKLYN, NY

Justice ADAPTED FROM: Measure for Measure DIRECTED BY: Rhonda Gilbert

ENSEMBLE: Dawnajae Alston Daniel Ariza Leah Baltazar Lopez Kenneth Barrett Tamia Blackwell Nacori Blue Nyasia Boyd Jayda Chiripanyanga Robert Curtis Alecia Francis Karisma Gaiter Elijah Gibbs Kevin Gill Kysmelly Gutierrez Sade Johnson Janaya Jones Sharai Leon Eric Marrimon Anderson Mejia Janice Morales Stephen Richards Olivia Schinmann EsydreeTull Special thanks to: our Principal Ms. Maluf, and the CUNY CREATIVE ARTS TEAM for being EXTREMELY patient with us

Students said...

“My favorite part of this project is the dance because it was nice and it had a lot of rhythm. I learned that some people in the old days use to talk different than now.” “My favorite part was when the girls was dancing and when they did cartwheel and splits. I learned now to speak Shakespeare language and how to talk loud without microphones.” “My favorite was doing the dance. I say this because in the dance you do fun things and very creative. I learned about Shakespeare and how they speak.”

“I liked doing the dance because it showed how James and everyone else got freedom or justice. That Shakespeare has been around for many years.” “My favorite part was watching and performing. I learned that Shakespeare used words that I or some other can say.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Rhythm and Athleticism Page 25

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 18, 2015

A crime occurs, and the police intervene. But is their presence helpful or hurtful?

PS 316 ELIJAH STROUD • BROOKLYN, NY

Just Us 22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 18, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: A Midsummer Night's Dream DIRECTED BY: Adrian Young A king and queen are revered by their subjects. We travel through history as the kingdom becomes enslaved. After years of suffering, the kingdom rises to power once more.

ENSEMBLE: Imani Antonio Kadleyn Baez Nailah Booker Anthony Chung Kiana Clemmons Jayden Daymon Wendy Diaz Ockeinea Gurthrie Jaheim Hedge Diannah Lacy Patricia Levine Jamilia Maxwell Zaire McFarlane Kesana Mcphoy Dakota Mitchell Rayon Padmore Zaria Prince Amin Roach Adriel Rosario Alisia Rosario Elijah Thomas Matthew Westbrook Zadia Regis Dagean Wilson Special thanks to: our Principal Ms. Maluf, and the CUNY CREATIVE ARTS TEAM for being EXTREMELY patient with us

Festival Award: Excellence in Physicalized Epic Storytelling Page 26

NEW VISIONS CHARTER SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED MATH & SCIENCES II • BRONX, NY

Is Love Worth it? ADAPTED FROM: Othello DIRECTED BY: Gayle Gitlitz

ENSEMBLE: Kevin Alvelo Christopher Avendano Victor Bakre Taia Bell Mamoudou Doucoure Chastity Flowers Champagne Gregory Randy Lopez Aaron Malahoo Taniya Moses Kristina Marie Ojeda Alyssa Ortiz Cinthya Perez Sandy Rodriguez Tristen Seda Charlette Suazo Emanuel Torres Special thanks to: Stacey King, Sharon John, Sandy Manessis, Elisia Downing for helping to get us here!

Students said...

“I liked getting to go on stage with my class and just have fun and not worry about anything going wrong because we are a close group. I learned that to put something together out of nothing takes a lot of time and you must work hard.” “Going on a stage in front of strangers and feeling fearless. How we as a group can craft a scene from scratch based on own ideas.” “I would say my favorite part was performing in front of an audience because they are around the same age as us. We had fun. I learned that working in a group can be fun and sometimes so is going outside of your comfort zone.” “My favorite part was performing and watching others perform and see other creative ideas come alive on stage. Most words used today Shakespeare made them up.” “Performing, and even putting it all together was my favorite part of the project. The characters really did a good job at playing their roles. How to effectively and constructively communicate with people to come up with an idea, and also being able to agree to disagree.” “My favorite part was being able to make our own play from scratch or from the basics of other Shakespeare plays. I have learned more about the language and style of Shakespeare’s plays.” “I’ve learned how to express my modern words and ideas in Shakespeare language.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Emotionally Gripping the Audience Page 27

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 18, 2015

Boy meets girl. His jealousy leads to betrayal. Her response turns violent.

YORK EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY â&#x20AC;˘ QUEENS, NY

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not 22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201D;March 18, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Measure for Measure DIRECTED BY: Dr. Marcia Coombs Angelo and Vincentio are rivals for the love of Mariana. When the two of them ask her to the same dance, she decides to accept both invitations, seeing it as a test of their love. At the dance, the boys fight each other to win her affection. In the heat of their conflict, they discover that they are not in love with her, but with each other! As they celebrate their newfound happiness together, the jilted Mariana feels the pain of rejection, and returns with a gun to give them a deadly ultimatum: choose her, or watch her kill their lover. ENSEMBLE: Saleem Ali Kayla Benjamin Neelam Boywah Jayson Brown Wilmon Cousar Akshay Dabydeen Ashley Dass Cheeranjiva Dhanrajh Jalil Farmer Lynn Fortune Asmara Fox Dilan Franklin Quincy Howard Pial Islam Alexander Johnson Jillany Joseph Jasleen Kaur Felicia Khadaroo Sumaiyah Khan Mary King Altafia Mohamed Harmony Morgan Stephanie Raghunath Renee Ramlochan Jason Singh Dhaniram Somai Laseneya Washington Daijon Williams Faraz Abdul Anisul Abedin Cathy Baker Harpreet Bali Prince Belony Nyhelia Brown Aissa Cherilus Nya Cort Melanie Dharamnath Lisa Esau Ibukunoluwa Fasola Stephanie Garib Sara Haimchand Reneil Harrilal Breannah Jai Singh

Sunpreet Johal Azar Kassim Leah Lowe Kala Melville Keianna Michel Erik Ramjattan Dericka Rickenbacker Sukhjit Singh Lanaiah Toby Emily Ali Florence Allison Breeana Barker Evelly Boiguene Jayden Brown Christopher Budhoo Tanbir Chowdhury Natalya Cole Aleina Dume Joshua Gangaram Malissa Ganpat Randell Garcia Justin Hiltab Clementina Jose Tesia Kennerly Tamia King Sandy Kistnan Hadassah Lyken Nicholas Moonoo Vashnee Persaud Brandon Prophete Jelani Romain Prabjot Singh Melissa Surujballi Walker Jelissa Kaylin Watson

Special thanks to: Ms. Weeger for helping to organize our piece; to Mr. Skeist for his assistance and insight; and to Ms. Burnett-Worthy for giving us the opportunity to be a part of the Festival.

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22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201D;March 18, 2015

Festival Award: Excellence in Tackling Controversial Themes

Page 29

ENERGY TECH HIGH SCHOOL â&#x20AC;˘ QUEENS, NY

Nerds Rule Bullies Drool 22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201D;March 19, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Macbeth DIRECTED BY: Tania Mohammed

Bullies versus Nerds in a library. They realize they are not that different from each other after all.

ENSEMBLE: Hatim Boussanya Habiba Elgohary Laura Guttierez Christian Jagdeo Diana Joachin Nicolas Joseph Jonathan Mercado Sofia Minano Maya Mohamed Jocelyn Morales Gebel Reinoso Savone Rodriguez Zoe Tsongas Marco Vicuna Jason Williams Special thanks to: Hope Barter and Karin Wissmann for supporting Shakespeare Festival two years in a row!

Festival Award: Excellence in Committing to Language Page 30

THE COBBLE HILL SCHOOL OF AMERICAN STUDIES • BROOKLYN, NY

Thirst for Revenge

ADAPTED FROM: Romeo and Juliet DIRECTED BY: Regina Constantin

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 19, 2015

The play opens with Juliet lamenting at her mother’s grave as she bemoans the abuse her father inflicted upon her. She enters a flashback of the abuse, recalling just for a moment the kindness shown to her by a neighbor who witnessed the event. In the present day, she lives distracted by her thirst for revenge on her father. When Benvolio, a young stranger, saves her from being run over by a taxi, she enlists his help with revenge—but finds revenge unsatisfying. ENSEMBLE: Brian Abraham Zarieah Allah Robert Balkarran Raven Fountain Ulysses Garcia Nigel Godard Bryan Gonzalez Jonathan Goodrich Jarrett Harrington Skyla Harris Kaliki Hill Jonathan Jackson Ernessa Jean Francois Naakoshe Manwaring Kiyah Mullin Isaiah Navarro Deavian Oliphant Rayshawn Oxley David Padmore Javier Pala Arianna Perez Samuel Regis Shavon Roberts Jorge Ruiz Calderon Wadly Saintilus Gabriella Simon Quiana Williams Shirley Pichardo Shenardo Smith Tylick Rivers Nigel Godard Skyla Harris Jamie McCormick Isaiah Navarro Shirly Pichardo Samuel Regis Tyliek Rivers Jorge Ruiz Shenardo Smith Chelsea Weeks Special thanks to: David for being so patient and attentive! Thank you David for offering an extra visit!

Festival Award: Excellence in Confidence and Commitment Page 31

THE LAUREL HILL SCHOOL • SETAUKET, LONG ISLAND

The Nonsensical Argument

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 19, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Excerpted from many plays including Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry IV, Henry VI, Coriolanus, Much Ado About Nothing, King John, Macbeth, Richard II, Richard III, et al. DIRECTED BY: Angela Raymond Ceribelli and Tricia Lomando The Montagues and Capulets inhabit rival towns which share one marketplace. Each day, they go to the market to buy their provisions, but find themselves fighting and arguing for no reason other than to argue, often in pairs of rivals. One such day, the argument progresses to a full fledged battle that threatens to shed the blood of the whole community, but the merchants and their friends, the minstrels, bring reason to the table and encourage a final reconciliation. ENSEMBLE: Andrew Biggar Alexandra Birk Madeline Chernavsky Frankie Collora Nicolette Cumins Nicholas Damianos Kaitlin Forman Nathaniel Goldman Leaih Harris Sarah Langleben Michael Lindsay Peter Mayers Declan Monfett Rami Salam Nicholas Sathi Charlotte Issberner Amelia Specht Jack Strauss Connor Free Eloise Kocay Linette Kunin Olivia Weldon Thomas Barry Tyler Forman Andrew McAdorey Thomas Murphy Matthew Rodd Devin Saraniero Steven Saraniero Jake Shangold Alexandra Weldon Karina Bendzlowicz Madison Logan Jarett Lunati Samantha Szydlowski Dimitri Damianos Grant deBoer Julia Hanlon Caroline Maglione Jenna Mond Pavel Portnoy Zara Pulipati Sophia Salam Jonah Voros Special thanks to: Mr. & Mrs. Stark, Mrs. Karchmar, David Skeist, James O'Connor and Joe Winchell.

Students said...

“I enjoyed having the visitors come and teach us more about acting. I learned that for a good play everyone needs to participate and do their best.” “My favorite part of this project was listening to Sonnet Man because I thought it was nice to learn about Shakespeare through rap, my favorite type of music. He was very good. That was almost like a rap concert, only for about 10 minutes though. I also enjoyed that I could play my flute during our play. This festival was a great experience. I have learned much about performing on stage like a professional. For example, my acting teacher taught me the many different locations on stage. She also taught me how to stand properly on stage and project our voices. This play that we wrote helped me learn much about theater.” “My favorite part of this project was seeing how different people view Shakespeare differently. Sonnet Man made Shakespeare into a rap, one school turned Shakespeare into a story about a superhero, and another school nurtured the difference between Shakespeare’s time and modern day times. Thank you for giving me this experience. I learned that you can have the best props, costumes, and sets, but if you don’t put your best into your work, the play will not be the best that it can possibly be. My English and acting teacher taught me how to do my best to adjust to my character. “ “My favorite part of this project was being able to perform our show on stage in NYC, while also getting feedback from other schools. We had worked so hard and to be able to finally show everyone and hear what they thought about it was amazing. From this project I learned that it can sometimes be better to work in groups. I am personally a pretty independent person, so at first I was not that thrilled to have to work with others. I know now that since I worked with others it made the play even better, which I can use in other aspects of my life.” “Actually acting on stage in front of high school students. This was my favorite part because I enjoyed showing people what we are capable of doing. It is an amazing feeling to be going on stage in front of an audience. I loved the Shakespeare Festival and hope to come back next year. I learned a lot about acting and Shakespeare in this project. In acting it is very important to articulate and pronounce every letter in a sentence or phrase. I also learned a lot about Shakespeare’s life.” “My favorite part was meeting new people and experiencing this with my LHS family and people from other schools. This is something I will always remember, that was one of the best days I’ve had in a while. I’ve learned to step outside of my comfort zone and that even strangers can make you feel comfortable at a place you’ve never been to.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Seizing and Sharing the Spotlight Page 32

RENAISSANCE CHARTER SCHOOL • QUEENS, NY

Phoenix Rising ADAPTED FROM: Richard III DIRECTED BY: Rebekah Slotnick

ENSEMBLE: Kevin Arango Max Cerezo Ngawang Choeyang Kenia Delacruz Alijah Garcia Beau Garcia Matija Jelenic Bethany Katehis Yui Maehara Marcus Marston Milena Naranjo Tara Pemba Jason Ramirez Stephanie Rosero Herrera Sabrina Testi Louis Torres Raheem Traille Samdup Ukyab Special thanks to: Anne Gridley and all the Teaching Artists. Special thanks to Rebekah Oakes at TRCS.

Students said...

“My favorite part of the project was using a part of the tableau because it was what we initially started with. I learned how to read Shakespeare writings.” “I liked the part where we actually chose what we wanted to do. Because it was all about teamwork to decide what idea we liked best. I learned new things. Obviously words of Shakespeare and their meanings.” “My favorite part of the project was performing it on stage and seeing how all our hard work came together. I learned how to work together with other people and I learned to come out of my personal bubble and socialize with others.” “My favorite part of the project was taking tableau and then making it into an entire play. I like this because it’s just a fun process to do. I learned that Shakespeare created words we use today.” “My favorite part of the project was performing it. I’ve learned that it’s better to just be confident while you do things.” “My favorite part of this project had to be was creating tableaus in order to get our piece together and ready. The reason for this is because I was able to learn a little about Shakespeare language and act on stage in front of people which I’ve never done. I was able to test myself in a way. I had fun! I have learned to participate more and how working together, and correcting each other; sharing ideas can contribute to an amazing outcome in performance level. Additionally I learned and realize now how to work with big groups of people and create something together. I learned how to work with William Shakespeare and understand in a way.” Festival Award: Excellence in Inventive Physicality Page 33

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 19, 2015

A superhero witnesses great tragedy and begins to lose sense of purpose. After some time away from saving the world, a child helps the superhero rediscover hope.

HIGH SCHOOL FOR SERVICE AND LEARNING • BROOKLYN, NY

Then and Now

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 19, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth DIRECTED BY: Nicole Lawrence How have perceptions changed regarding love? Scenes are repeated; first in the older, then the current generation. Eventually, the two meet as one in celebration.

ENSEMBLE: Kerry-Ann Anekie Sarah Baptiste Anika Batson Roberto Benn Roger Browne Jade Burkett Crystal Clarke Timothy Clementson Jessica Gil Todd George Ruewel Johnson Andy Miller Cheyenne Russell Joshua Spencer Big shout out to Anne, the best and spunkiest coach in NYC!

Students said...

“My favorite part of this project is being able to perform in front of many and being comfortable in my own skin. I loved the fact that many did not disturb our scene. I learned that I can success in anything I put my mind to. I once thought that I would never be able to act and have fun on stage. You never know will you try. I also learned Shakespeare lines that I use sometimes.” “My favorite part of this project was acting on the theme we chose. I have a passion for acting and I get very excited whenever I can get the chance to act. Also, acting on the theme taught me a lot more than I initially knew about it. Cooperation is highly important for a group to be successful even if there are some disagreements. Everyone should be treated equally and with respect no matter their gender, race, or size.” “I enjoyed having the opportunity to work with other students and using our combined ideas to create art. I learned that when many people share ideas and manipulate their talents great works of art can be achieved.” “My favorite part of this project was the preparation all together because it gave me a sense of responsibility.” “I learned that working together helps you build confidence in yourself and communicate more with the people around you.” “It’s better to take chances and explore different opportunities while you have it.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Powerfully and Bravely Tackling Contemporary Themes Page 34

THE COBBLE HILL SCHOOL OF AMERICAN STUDIES â&#x20AC;˘ BROOKLYN, NY

Divergent Duo ADAPTED FROM: The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet DIRECTED BY: Maribel Cardona

ENSEMBLE: Dela Alexander Keyaira Carter Ramon Cora Shane Godineaux Tywun Hart David Haughton Morris Anaysia Jenkins Latefia Johnson Juwon Jordan Kayla Manning Bryan Negron Kendra Obi Angelo Pichardo Luis Ramirez Jalil Roberts Tahjaya Sallard Christopher Villegas Special thanks to: David for being extremely patient with us.

Festival Award: Excellence in Engaging the Audience Page 35

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201D;March 19, 2015

Twin sisters entered the foster care system together. One is adopted from a group home by a wealthy family and the other was not. When the two meet again in school years later, the adopted sister is the queen bee while the poor sister is an outcast. After a confrontation, the poor sister goes home to poison herself while the rest of the school has a party. Filled with regret, the rich sister steals into the home of her long lost twin, drinks the poison, and sends her sister to the party to take her place in life while she dies alone.

THE COBBLE HILL SCHOOL OF AMERICAN STUDIES • BROOKLYN, NY

Follow the Leader

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 19, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: King Lear DIRECTED BY: Fannie Hodges and Casey Levinson Two families, those of King Lear and Gloucester, experience the impact of love and how it can unite or divide a kingdom, leaving us to explore how love influences who will lead and who we should follow. ENSEMBLE: Ericka Allen Gregory Amparo Tomar Baylor Charisma Blount Sebastien Byas Keri Clapperton Tyler Coward Christian Diaz Fernando Feliz Dandrea Green Vashon Henry John Jean Gilles Nerishka Jeanty Brindia Joseph Kiran McCallam Giovanni Mitchell Isis Mitchell Kenny Nunez Zackery Pabon Shabazz Peterson Aaliyha Pinkney Destiny Suber Zaire Wells Elijah Campbell Quamey Venable Ali Alyamani Abdul Kader

Students said...

“I learned a lot about King Lear and the theme of King Lear and how it relates to modern day society.” “My favorite part of this project is when we worked together to make a beautiful piece of art.” “My favorite part of this project was getting on the stage with my classmates and showing how much we were in sync with each other.” “My favorite part of this project was getting to truly understand the concept of Shakespeare and instead of just reading about the character we got to be the character. I have learned that being in a group is efficient and ideas can be spread more easily.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Commitment to the Ensemble Page 36

PS 105 THE BLYTHEBOURNE • BROOKLYN, NY

To Evil Should Be Done By None!

Students said:

ADAPTED FROM: Pericles DIRECTED BY: Ellen Post

ENSEMBLE: David Chen Flora Chen Henry Chen Jenny Chen Nina Chen Shirley Chen Xin Chao Chen Vincent Dong Maggie Feng Andy Huang Ashley Huang Xin Lan Huang Alvin Jiang Ivy Jiang Sunny Jiang Andy Lin Chandler Lin Eric Lin Erik Lin Junmao Lin Chang Rui Liu Angela Luo Mark Morales Stephanie Morquecho Alice Ng Catherine Shi Ivan Wu Reeve Yee Sarah Zhao Yi Zheng Edison Zhong

“My favorite part of this project is when we all get to see the rehearsals on a smartboard because I get to see how well we’re doing.” “I learned that William Shakespeare was a really talented man in history. He had his own language and he wrote many poems that are catchy.” “I learned that performing drama is not just for expressing your feelings. It can be for enjoyment, and having exercise and being active.” “My favorite part is when we can work in groups to brainstorm what we will do in the play. I was proud when we all finished our play.” “My favorite part was thinking up the topic and theme as a class, and performing on a stage for everyone!” “My favorite part was performing in the theatre because it was cool to be on stage in a different place and to perform in front of people I don’t know. I was shy at first but then it was fun.”

“My favorite part was writing the play because it was challenging but fun when we use the words from a real Shakespeare play to write our own play and we used our creative minds.” “My favorite part is when we performed for people. We could get feedback to make our performance better.” “I learned that when we do acting, we have to look up, speak loud and pronounce each and every vowel and consonant.” “My favorite part was when we chose our character. We got to have lines to speak with expression.” “My favorite part was brainstorming ideas in the play because I learned the meaning of teamwork and decisions.” “I have learned that working together can make something you did together successful.” “Practicing was my favorite part because we got to learn a lot of new things and it helped me gain the courage to act out in the theatre.” Festival Award: Excellence in Choral Speaking and Instrumental Musicality Page 37

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 20, 2015

A student from school is missing. James picks up his sister from school and both of them face a difficult decision when they pass by a playground.

“My favorite part is when we worked in teams and brainstormed each tableaux. This made the play more interesting and there will be more than one idea.”

FORDHAM HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS • BRONX, NY

From Sibling Rivalry to Submission

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 20, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: The Taming of the Shrew DIRECTED BY: Marlene May Baptista has two daughters, but favors his youngest, Bianca. He rushes his eldest, Katherine, who is hard-headed and stubborn to marry Petruchio, who is just as hard-headed and stubborn. In the end a humble Kate is 'born'. ENSEMBLE: Melissa Aguilar Mariluz Batista Alex Cecilio Kimberly Flores Carolyn Gutierrez Stewart Harvey Qing Li Arislady Martinez Janeyri Mendez Devante Morris Monica Mukendi Quinn Robles Aleda Rock Rosa Santana Dasne Sanz Jose Velasquez Teraee Williams Sharaya Wright

Students said...

“My favorite part of this project was to see what other students had created and see their ideas and creativity. What I have learned is Shakespeare had a lot of plays that connect to modern day.” “My favorite part of this project was coming together with my drama team and being able to work together and put it all together. But most of all performing was by far the best experience. The stage is where I want to be. I learned that it takes a lot of work and dedication to make something right, I also learned a lot more on Shakespeare and how he still connects to our daily lives now.” “My favorite part is that I worked with my whole class and we had a blast working together. If we all work together, we can create one big idea instead of 20 individual ideas.” “My favorite part of the project was at the end when we all sat down to talk because we were able to receive constructive feedback on our scenes. From this project I have learned how to better read and understand Shakespeare’s language.” “My favorite part about this project was actually performing at the festival because I got to show the other schools the hard work we put into the play. From this project I learned how much practice it takes to put in a play also that memorizing your lines makes the rehearsal run better.” “My favorite part of this project was performing at the Lucille Lortel Theatre with my classmates. I have learned that Shakespeare is not as confusing as I thought.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Embodying Shakespeare’s Text Page 38

PS 250 • BROOKLYN, NY

The Hero Within Us All ADAPTED FROM: Macbeth DIRECTED BY: Tricia Berry

ENSEMBLE: Kaitlyn Amaro Ashton Arias Christopher Caston Matthew Chen Steven Chen Eva Cruz Azriel Downes Analise Espinal Emma Espinosa Irene Fu Miles Graham Aiden Hernandez Tariis Hunter William Irizarry Jordan Jenkins Zara Kolenovic Annie Liu William Liu Dallas Martinez Jocelyn Martinez Justino Matos Vincent Pena Victoria Rosario Joanne Ye Andy Yu Special thanks to: to our cooperating teacher, Ms. Nieves, our Principal Ms. Barnes, our Assistant Principals, Ms. Alicea and Ms. Siegel and all the wonderful families of these incredible performers!

Students said...

“I learned friendship is greater than bullying. We learned about courage, peace, and love. We also learned about language.” “What I have learned is to never bully, just peace and love. Because it makes people feel bad so they would bully them. You don’t want to do that.” “My favorite part of this project is when we performed on the stage first and then we really performed on a real stage with audience watching us because it is really fun learning new words. I learned about this project that bullying is bad. I learned new words from Macbeth. When I was rehearsing on stage I learned that we did a lot of new movement and changes.” “I learned bullying is bad and to help friends if they are getting bullied, what will you do if there wasn’t super heroes? I learned always help friends if there isn’t super heroes there to help you.”

“My favorite part was when we performed on stage at a Broadways theatre. And when we came up with costumes and parts of the play. I learned that bullying is wrong and we have to stand up to solve a problem. I also know that nobody should be a bully.” “I learned that Shakespeare was trying to express something different in every play.” Festival Award: Excellence in Confidently Inspiring Courage Page 39

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 20, 2015

A group of bullies and villains threaten students. Superheroes come to save the day, but are held as prisoners, leaving it up to their friends to find the courage to help.

WATERSIDE CHILDREN’S STUDIO SCHOOL, PS 317 • QUEENS, NY

A Pound of Flesh or a Pound of Love?

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 20, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Merchant of Venice DIRECTED BY: Denise Getchius-Staines Bassanio is in love with Portia and will do anything to have her as his wife. But when his promise isn't kept, what will happen when Mercy or Debt decides his fate? ENSEMBLE: Josie Rodriguez Richie McKinzie Leah Peralta Vondale Best Sarayahahma Morrison Dominique Maddox Devin Muniz Jalena DeLaCruz Jaquan Gordon Gissel Oruego Dani Santiago Taylor Stewart Tameyah Williams Jason Caballero Amir Elbasel Nayilah Page Angela Zapata Leslie Hunter Marquia Murray Jamya Ramos Stephany Martinez Jenna Strika Octavia King

Students said...

Special thanks to: Ms. Laura for coming to Rockaway to teach us two years in a row! We would also like to thank Ms. Gerendasi for making sure we have Shakespeare at Waterside.

“My favorite part of this was watching everyone’s play, including ours.” “My favorite part is when we went to the festival and when we performed on the stage. I learned from this project is that you don’t have to be scared to perform.” “My favorite part is being on stage because I only play in front of the school not with people I don’t know! Love is more powerful than money.” “My favorite part of our project was the song because I enjoy being on stage. I learned a little about Shakespeare’s life from the trivia game about Shakespeare.” “I liked performing, because I could let everyone see what we have been working on. What I learned is that working together is good and work hard pays off.”

Festival Award: Excellence in Seizing and Sharing the Spotlight Page 40

BROOKLYN HIGH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS • BROOKLYN, NY

Karma ADAPTED FROM: Romeo and Juliet DIRECTED BY: James Basile

ENSEMBLE: Lishana Alleyne Ray Chelle Anderson Riley Anglin Ayanna Antoine Regine Archer Ivana Baez-Ortiz Jasinw Beckford Tailiya Beckles Naomi Campbell Seari Chanka Derick Dilone Joshua Dowding Allissa Duke Kimani Foster Laquan Foster Charlie Gomez Kaitlyn Gonzalez Ashley Grullon Olivier Jean Louis Solanny Lopez Dior Mack Keynara Merrill Zaafirah Orta Isha Pierre Elijah Revell Angela Rivera Lanice "Tiny" Rodriguez Angel Smith Qasim Sonson Alyra Stevenson Alyssa Torres Emanuel Williams II Kaitlyn Willmore Special thanks to: Mr. Vecchiano, Javier (teaching artist) and the entire CAT team.

Festival Award: Excellence in Making Shakespeare Contemporary with Sophisticated Ensemble Staging Page 41

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 20, 2015

Carrie really likes James, the popular boy, but does she have the social standing to date someone popular? When James humiliates her, he may find that actions speak louder than words.

HIGH SCHOOL FOR YOUTH & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT • BROOKLYN, NY

Love Devouring Death

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 20, 2015

ADAPTED FROM: Romeo and Juliet DIRECTED BY: Jamie Beck For this couple, watching zombie movies is an obsession. When the girl befriends another guy, her boyfriend will have an unexpected, larger-than-life reaction. ENSEMBLE: Angel Bobbitt Sara Larosiliere Yaschee Alphonse Oryan Brown Sarah Carmen Frank James Mathurine Joesph Mikayla Lee Mushan Khan Isaiah Murray Nelson Tyler Brianna Grant Shaquana Sewell Jamal Paddy Isaiah Sheffield Timothy Taylor Anya Special thanks to: Principal Marie Prendergast

Students said...

“Working together is very important because you are able to share your ideas and hear others’ creative ideas a well.” “My favorite part was when we got to talk to other kids our age about their and our performance.”

“I liked performing because I got to show off all the hard work I put into helping the development of our play.” “I learned that Shakespeare isn’t a remote form of ancient entertainment but actually something that can relate to modern times.” “I liked that we could all share our ideas and it was open without rejection. The product play was components of all of our ideas.

Festival Award: Excellence in a Creating Truly Horrific Atmosphere Page 42

2015 HIGHLIGHTS...BEYOND THE FESTIVAL Demetri, a student from Info Tech High School in Queens, has performed in the Shakespeare Festival all four years of high school!

Congratulations Demetri!

Ms. Marlene May, long-time NYCSSF Participating Teacher, sent us a copy of her midterm exam. Why? It was chock full of questions about their chosen Shakespeare play, stage directions and more... AND her class set of student feedback forms were included as part of the exam! We think Ms. May is BRILLIANT!

The “Bard Kids” from Muscota New School were selected to perform their scenes from Romeo & Juliet in the 1st Annual Manhattan Borough Arts Festival! They did a fantastic job!

Congratulations Muscota Bard Kids! And Congratulations Ms. Dayna Beegun!

We have recently discovered that our pathway from CAT’s Shakespeare Festival to CAT’s Youth Theatre is alive and well! Of those we’re sure of, two Fordham HS NYCSSF alumni are now also Youth Theatre alumni, and at least one previous Muscota “Bard Kid” is a current Junior CAT Youth Theatre Member! Keep sending your young actors our way!

Page 43

22nd Annual New York City Student Shakespeare Festival —March 20, 2015

He’s a Festival Graduate!

2015 New York City Student Shakespeare Festival Staff Director .................................................................... Jon Stancato Teaching Artists ...................................................... Javier González, Anne Gridley, Jensen Olaya, Laura Butler Rivera, David Skeist Festival Coordinator .............................................. Kara Ayn Napolitano Cover Design Winner ............................................. Xin Lan Huang, PS 105k The Blythebourne Graphic Design & Layout ...................................... Krista Fogle Founders .................................................................. Heather Lester, Joshua Cabat Festival Contact Info: CATShakespeare@gmail.com

www.CATShakespeare.org

About the Creative Arts Team Using the power of drama to change lives. WHO WE ARE: Founded in 1974, CAT is an educational outreach program at The City University of New York (CUNY), and in partnership with CUNY’s School of Professional Studies, offers the nation’s first M.A. in Applied Theatre – using theatre to facilitate, educate and activate. WHAT WE DO: Theatre cultivates a unique skill set that is indispensable for the 21st Century – primarily communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. CAT enriches the lives of our participants through a pedagogy which combines educational drama strategies with research-based educational theories and practices to create participant-centered, interactive drama experiences. The needs, strengths and learning styles of participants inform the actual content of workshops. CAT offers a diverse array of programs for traditional and non-traditional populations. With four decades of dedicated school and community partnerships, youth and professional development programs, and our award-winning Youth Theatre, CAT has reached over a million students, educators, parents, community members and teaching artists in New York City, across the nation and around the world.

For more information about CAT’s other professional development and residency programs contact Chris Tokar, Director of Resource Development 212.652.2850 or Chris.Tokar@cuny.edu or visit us online at www.creativeartsteam.org

For information about the CAT YOUTH THEATRE (CAT’s FREE afterschool theatre program for middle & high school students) contact Maureen Donohue, Program Administrator, CAT Youth Theatre 212.652.2828 or Maureen.Donohue@cuny.edu or visit the YT online at http://bit.ly/CUNYCATYT

For information about The CUNY M.A. IN APPLIED THEATRE contact Michael Wilson, Assistant Director, MA in Applied Theatre 212.652.2820 or Michael.Wilson@cuny.edu or visit the MA online at http://bit.ly/CUNYSPSMAAT

CreativeArtsTeam @cunycat74 CUNYCreativeArtsTeam

Support for CAT FY15 Programs Provided By:

Alicia Keys Empowered Community Grants – AIDS United; Berkowitz Family Foundation; Birch Family of Services; The City University of New York; Community Service Society of New York; Fund for Public Schools; Hill & Knowlton; Homes for the Homeless; The Hyde and Watson Foundation; Jewish Communal Fund; The Lucille Lortel Foundation; Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer; Manhattan Community Grant Program; Marion E. Kenworthy-Sarah H. Swift Foundation; New York City Council Citywide Initiative - Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and 51 Council Members; Discretionary & CASA: NYC Council Members: Fernando Cabrera; Costa Constantinedes; Robert Cornegy; Inez Dickens; Vanessa L. Gibson; Andy King; Karen Koslowitz; Rory Lancman; Carlos Menchaca; I. Daneek Miller; Donovan Richards; Ydanis Rodriguez; Helen Rosenthal; Ritchie Torres; Jumaane D. Williams; Ruben Wills; NYC Department of Correction; NYC Department of Cultural Affairs; NYC Department of Education; NYC Department of Youth & Community Development; NYCT: Brooke Astor Fund for NYC Education; NYS Assembly; NYS Assembly Members: Michael Dendekker; Ron Kim; Walter T. Mosley; Aravella Simotas; NYS Council on the Arts; NYS Department of Health: AIDS Institute; NYS Education Department; NYS Senate; RBC Wealth Management; Penguin Books; Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts Participating Schools, and many generous individuals

CAT is a 501(c) 3 Nonprofit Organization. To support CAT’s work, visit http://bit.ly/SupportCAT