Introducing Project Shakespeare Workshop…
“Though this be madness, Yet there is a method in’t”
Our approach
For too long, students were introduced to William Shakespeare by being forced to read his works in school. Often times, the elements that make Shakespeare great…. the adventure, the laughter, the tears, and the timelessness…. were left to the side, forcing the students to wade through unfamiliar language and stories while they prayed for it to be over.
Our workshops tasks students with a challenge:
design and present a famous scene from Shakespeare … before time runs out!
Our program is designed to give students a positive experience performing Shakespeare!
After a crash course in how to read, understand, and speak Shakespeare’s language, students will work together as a group to choose costumes and props, cast and rehearse a scene from one of Shakespeare’s works, and finally, perform it! Students are encouraged to bring their own vision and interpretations to their characters and scene and make it truly theirs.
This fun and interactive workshop promotes teamwork, positivity, and responsibility — making it the perfect introduction to Shakespeare!
Workshops
Each workshop runs about three hours and can be scaled up or down for groups of various sizes and ages.
Our main program targets students in grades 6 through 12, during which the kids have performed scenes from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “The Tempest”, and “Much Ado About Nothing” among others.
We also host an annual celebration of the Bard’s birthday in April!
Check out our “Workshops” page for photos from our previous events!
Meet The PSW Team
Colleen Montague-Benedetto is the founder of Project Shakespeare Workshop. Her passion is bringing the wonder and whimsey of Shakespeare to youth of all ages. She has served as a director and dialogue coach for youth productions of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, “Hamlet”, “Much Ado About Nothing”, and “A Comedy of Errors” as well as productions of “Antigone”, “Beowulf”, “Into the Woods”, “The Sound of Music”, and many others.
Not limiting herself just to the words on the page, Colleen is trained in stage combat and movement. By encouraging youth to experiment with their own interpretation of these works of literature, she hopes to make them relevant and fun for a new generation of performer.
Ken Nicholas is a theater artist and educator who specializes in movement, physical comedy, and stage combat choreography. He performed and choreographed at Renaissance festivals all across the country before moving into the position of creative director at Talewise, an educational children’s programming company. Ken also teaches at Ramapo College of New Jersey, and offers theater classes and workshops around his home city of Philadelphia. A core part of the development of Project Shakespeare Workshop, Ken serves as an advisor and inspiration for our programs.
Project Shakespeare Workshop Alumni are encouraged to share their love of theater and performance by acting as mentors to newer and younger students. By sharing their talents and enthusiasm with their peers and new students, they develop both as actors and leaders. There is nothing better than watching our students carry on the labor of love that embodies our programs!