As a dancer. . .

. . . I’m all for “learning on your feet.” And that’s what the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Stand Up for Shakespeare program is all about—a way of bringing Shakespeare to life in the classroom.

My colleagues and I were intrigued by this innovative and experiential way of teaching Shakespeare to children. Last summer, I had the good fortune of going to London and Stratford, and meeting with the leaders of the Royal Shakespeare Company. I quickly realized the potential of this incredibly innovative teaching method. While there, I also had the opportunity to see many performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Their commitment to collaborative, ensemble work and their dedication to education and outreach is all simpatico with what we’re doing at Ohio State in experiential arts education.

We at Ohio State soon began dreaming about a partnership, an opportunity to bring the methods of Stand Up for Shakespeare to teachers and students in the United States. The initiative moved quickly with all sides realizing the benefits possible for OSU students, teachers and young people in Ohio.

The result? A three-year teacher education program centered upon Stand Up for Shakespeare. This graduate-level enterprise will enrich Ohio public school teachers’ ability to teach Shakespeare effectively to children at various grade levels. The program will work with Metro High School in Columbus, and its statewide network of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) schools affiliated with the Ohio STEM Learning Network. We expect to send the first group of teachers to the UK in summer 2009 for in-depth training with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The Royal Shakespeare Company/Ohio State partnership also will establish a Young People’s Shakespeare Festival, tentatively planned for 2012, for central Ohio educators, students and the community.

Karen A. Bell
Associate Vice President, The Arts Initiative at Ohio State