So, I recently did the play, Treasure Island for Kids, and it was an absolute blast. However, when it came to costumes, those were relatively easy, until… Long John Silver. How do I show a wooden leg on a kid, on stage? I can’t have him hoping around the entire time, bound to cause tripping issues. I can’t…
Long John Silver Wooden Leg was originally published on Shakespeare for Kids Books
Ok, I just got these REALLY cool Shakespeare tattoos, and the kids are LOVING them! Several people have asked where they can get some, so I’ve put them on my website for you to buy if you want for your kids! Enjoy! OR I’ll send them free with any books you purchase!!!
Shakespeare Tattoos – Kids LOVE them! was originally published on Shakespeare for Kids Books
Ok, my version of Macbeth for Kids is funny, but if you have a spare 3 minutes, this is an absolutely funny and fantastic view of Macbeth and Macduff arguing over whether Macduff was actually “born” or not! Great stuff by Timothy McSweeney:
(Macbeth and Macduff are fencing in front of a castle.)
MACBETH: Macduff! Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests. I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born.
MACDUFF: Despair thy charm! Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped.
(They stop sword fighting.)
MACBETH: Pardon?
MACDUFF: I was extracted surgically, in an operation.
MACBETH: Okay, but thou wast still born, right?
MACDUFF: No. Untimely ripped.
MACBETH: Okay, but after thou wast ripped, thou wast of woman born.
MACDUFF: I don’t know…
go here to read the hilarious rest of the scene!
Macbeth vs. Macduff – Born or not born? was originally published on Shakespeare for Kids Books
Ok, I’m making a bold statement. Nay, I’m doing what must be done, and I need YOUR help to spread the word! As you know, I write short, humorous, melodramatic renditions of Shakespeare’s plays, all in an effort to make The Bard easy for children (and adults!) to understand. Well, since I’m on this mission to make Shakespeare fun and exciting for kids (like Disney says, “kids of all ages”) and, in acknowledgment to The Bard’s birthday, this April 23rd I’m declaring the first annual, “Insult Like Shakespeare Day!” (go straight to the insult generator here) I’m truly surprised no one has done this before, but, think about it, what better way to engage in The Bards many innuendos, than by embracing what he truly does better than the rest of us, insults! Let’s review, he came up with these classics:
WOW, on that last one, right? That was a bleeping, mouthful! So, in the spirit of all that is insulting, I am declaring Shakespeare’s birthday to be the official first annual Insult Like Shakespeare Day! I mean, we could talk like Shakespeare, but really, that’s just talking like EVERYONE else from that era, nothing special to Shakespeare. But, insults, who doesn’t like a nice, quick-witted, stinging, insult from time to time, right?! And THAT would be really honoring The Bard at his best! So, don’t be a (here they come…)
Well, I could go on, and on, with this list! But, IT’S EASY to create your own. Just open my insult generator and print out your very own insult generator sheet and get started ripping on your co-worker, or greeting your significant other in the morning with one of these beauties, or, as I have always said, insult your English teacher with this list and you will IMPROVE your grade!
So, I need your help to the spread the word about the official Insult Like Shakespeare Day, April 23rd. Please share the love with all you know, and be sure to do it with a juicy insult and a smile! You can copy this link and paste it to make it easy:
April 23rd is Insult Like Shakespeare Day! Find your insult here and share the love, you rank, elf-skinned, lout! http://ow.ly/vUSKL
(quick thanks to bachelorsDegree.org for providing the list of Shakespeare’s insults bulleted above)
Insult Like Shakespeare Day – April 23rd was originally published on Shakespeare for Kids Books
This is a continuation from the article “Shakespeare in a Can: Six Days With the Bard From Start to Stage.” The second installment of performing Shakespeare.
REMEMBER, this mini-Shakespeare play you are doing is NOT a perfect play. Heck, if you want to make it perfect, please don’t do it; that’s a complete waste of creativity, and the kids are chock full of creativity – let’s pull it out! I specifically reference these plays as “Melodramatic Masterpieces,” so please don’t forget the MELODRAMA piece…. It’s what gets the parents rolling in the audience and the kids coming back for more! Remember, performing Shakespeare MUST BE FUN!!!
By now you have the casted the play. So step 1 here is to highlight their lines. I have a great little technique to get the kids all on the same page, “if it’s blue, it’s what you do” Just follow that link to see the easiest way to organize your highlighting. Step 2 is to do a read through just wherever you are (sitting at a desk, sitting on stage, on the grass outside next to a lake with ducks floating by, wherever). Once you have done your first read through, the next thing to do is start blocking. First of all, the definition of blocking, for those of you who don’t know: to plan or work out the movement of performers in a play. This is where the “F’s” come in… it is fun, frustrating, and FOREVER! Yes, the first time walking through and doing basic blocking of the play seems like forever, but don’t worry, it speeds up quickly! You will probably only get through the play maybe once, but call it a wrap and head home. HOWEVER, emphasize to the kids to start memorizing their lines (always do this, sometimes it takes a while to sink in). Also, remind them that as of Day 5, you will be “off-book” (no scripts) so, good luck.
You may get through the play only two times today. But that’s okay, the kids will have a basic idea of what they are doing and where they are going now. KEY POINT: kids will start coming up with their own ideas for their character – GO WITH IT! This is where their creative juices starting to flow. This is VERY IMPORTANT; if they feel empowered with the Bard, and start having fun with Shakespeare, they will start to embrace his work more and more (you are on your way to creating a Shakespeare monster!).
Oh yeah, and start thinking about costumes. WHAT! Costumes? Yes, costumes. This can be a major headache or really simple. I go with the really simple route myself. Hit Walmart or K-mart the day after Halloween and buy a bunch of plastic swords, renaissance type costumes, and miscellaneous fun stuff (the Witches are great fun to buy for). I typically throw everything in one or two bins and tell the kids to have at it. They spend about 20 minutes trying on costumes and seeing if they can make things fit, it’s great fun! But don’t do this piece until Day 5 (or the day before the show).
Most of the time there are at least one to two parents that can make a costume or two as well. You’ll always have those few talented moms out there who love to help! They are the BEST!
And remind the kids again… on Day 5 we are off book!
Now you are starting to move a little faster. Some kids know their lines, other kids don’t, but they are starting to come up with ideas whether for costumes, props, how to die on stage (with dramatic sword fighting of course!) or whatever, just go with it! Keep remembering, the entire goal here is to have fun with Shakespeare. The kids will love it, the parents will love it, and I bet ya Willy will be watching too and having a great ol’ time!
And remind them, next time we meet we are off book!
Yep, that’s right. These two to three run-throughs today will be a bit slow, but by the third time you go through it, most kids will be moving pretty well with their lines and starting to really have fun!
Okay, pull out your two to three bins of clothes and let the kids have at it. Remember, this is NOT a perfect play. Some of the clothes will not fit perfectly (that’s what clothes pins, belts, and duct tape are for). If kids have their own stuff, let them bring it in too. They will really love doing this! (Although, I once had a kid want to bring in his own “authentic” pirate sword…well, let’s just say that didn’t happen!)
At this point, you are welcome to add more days for rehearsals. As any director will tell you, actors can ALWAYS use more rehearsals!
I typically do the performance in the same time slot that I have been doing all the other group meetings and rehearsals, but it is up to you. This day starts straight away with getting into costumes. You should perform two dress rehearsals just before the big show. And at this point, just let the kids just run it with no interference. Don’t even go backstage for this, they need to learn that the world is really their stage. Just stand back and enjoy the show.
By this time, the audience has filed in and you are ready to go with the show. So, to break the ice, you get on stage first. Thank the kids for all their hard work, the parents for putting up with Shakespeare in their homes for so many weeks, and then stand on stage and introduce the wrong show. Set this up before hand with all of the kids yelling from backstage the correct play. i.e.: “I am proud to announce today’s play, ‘Hamlet.’” From backstage the group says, “NO!”. Then one kid wanders on stage, whispers into your ear the correct play and you proceed to change your intro to: “I am proud to announce today’s play…(asking backstage so the audience can hear) what is it again?” Then all the kids yell in unison, “MACBETH!” “Oh yeah! Right! I am proud to announce today’s performance of …‘Macbeth!’” This typically helps break nervous tension that the kids have built up.
Then stand back and watch the show!!!!
That’s about it – pretty simple, huh? But remember, the ONE simple rule… when performing Shakespeare, MAKE IT FUN!!!
For more information or fun items like the Shakespeare Insult Generator, or an acting guide, check out the site or read some of the other blog posts.
Break a leg!
Performing Shakespeare – Days 2-6ish – The Formula was originally published on Shakespeare for Kids Books
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