Shakespeare NJ's Touring Program for Students Shakespeare LIVE! Begins Its 22nd Season

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey welcomed 10 Artistic Fellows at the start of the new year as part of the 22nd company of their acclaimed education program, Shakespeare LIVE!. Conceived in 1997, the touring program has brought 65-minute productions of Shakespeare's plays to over 100 schools throughout the tri-state area each year for over two decades. During that time, over 600,000 students have experienced imaginative and engaging Shakespeare productions performed live. Bookings for this year's tour are now being accepted. To bring Shakespeare LIVE! to a school or other venue, call 973-845-6742 or e-mail Education@ShakespeareNJ.org.

This year, Shakespeare LIVE! will present two very different plays by the Bard - Macbethand The Comedy of Errors. Director of Education Brian B. Crowe will direct the slapstick comedy and company member Vanessa Morosco will make her STNJ directing debut with the infamous Scottish tragedy.

Mr. Crowe said, "The Comedy of Errors is a perfect piece for grades three and up. Two sets of identical twins, mistaken identities, colorful characters, and a madcap chase sequence conspire to make this caper a thrill for students and teachers alike. Students in grades six and up will be captivated by this compelling production of Macbeth. Mysterious prophecies and vaulting ambition bring about the demise of a once noble warrior in one of Shakespeare's most cautionary and visceral tales. It is a must-see for students of drama, English literature and history."

Shakespeare LIVE!, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's educational touring company, is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Proud sponsors of Shakespeare LIVE! include The Turrell Fund, Johnson & Johnson, Provident Bank, Newman's Own Foundation, and The Investors Bank Foundation.

The Cast:

The Shakespeare Theatre is excited to welcome 10 Artistic Fellows to the Shakespeare LIVE! cast this year. This troupe of early-career actors hail from across the nation, and several have already appeared at The Shakespeare Theatre in various Main Stage and Outdoor Stage productions.

Lèna Chilingerian (New Jersey native) is a graduate of Montclair State University. Julian Blake Gordon (Summit, New Jersey native) is a graduate of the Theatre's Summer Professional Training Program, Connecticut College, and the National Theatre Institute.Mark Hawkins (Bronx, New York native) is a graduate of Amherst College. Katie Langham (Fairfield, Connecticut native) is a graduate of The University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. Courtney McGowan (Las Vegas, Nevada native) is a graduate of Wagner College.Isabel Pask (Dallas, Texas native) is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. Braden Spear (North Smithfield, Rhode Island native) is a graduate of Taylor University. Tyler Stettler (Sunbury, Pennsylvania native) is a graduate of Long Island University Post. Kyle Walton (Greenbook, New Jersey native) is a graduate of Fordham University. Trey Wright (Louisville, Kentucky native) is a graduate of The University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.

The Tour:

Reservations are currently being accepted for the 2018 Shakespeare LIVE! tour. To bringShakespeare LIVE! to your school or venue, call 973-845-6742 or e-mail Education@ShakespeareNJ.org.

Prior to each performance, teachers receive a comprehensive study guide that contains invaluable tools for enhancing students' appreciation and understanding of Shakespeare, developed especially for this program by STNJ educators. Also included is a post-performance discussion with the actors, during which students have the opportunity to ask questions and explore aspects of the play.

Shakespeare LIVE! offers an additional workshop for students to participate in acting exercises and activities with the company of Shakespeare LIVE!. Workshops can be combined with a performance of Shakespeare LIVE!. This programming focuses on using art to create learning experiences that enlighten, inspire, educate, empower and provide perspective for students, as well as addressing many of the core curriculum requirements.

Special Performances:

Shakespeare LIVE! will also present its tour at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre for select performances in the spring. LIVE! at the Kirby are performances perfect for without performance spaces. Macbeth will be presented on Thursday, April 19 at 10:00 a.m. and12:00 p.m. The Comedy of Errors will be presented on Friday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m.

The Shakespeare Theatre is proud to be a part of the New Jersey Stages Festival where families can see New Jersey theatre for a price that's great for the whole family. Buy one regular adult ticket and get a child ticket for free thanks to the New Jersey Theatre Alliance. Regular tickets are $16. Shakespeare LIVE! will present The Comedy of Errorsat 11:00 a.m. and Macbeth at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre.

Families can also see these productions at the Short Shakespeare performance onSaturday, April 21 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors, respectively. Tickets are $16.

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