Shakespeare for the Classroom
Our mission is entertainment that educates and education that entertains. Let us partner with your school, classroom, or community center to make it happen!
Southern Shakespeare is proud to offer classroom visits, artist residencies, and performances that incite student interest in history, language, and performance relevant to Shakespeare’s times, themes, and work.
We’re thrilled that the Sonnet Man will return for his annual residency in area schools January 30 – February 3 (spots are limited, so reach out with your interest today!). February 8-10, 2023, we are excited to offer a field trip opportunity to see a 50-minute, contemporary language adaptation of Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet set in modern Tallahassee, A Town Divided. Scroll down to learn more about these offerings and more, and let’s be in touch about accomplishing your learning goals together!
Jason Chimonides
Education Director
A self-described "non-denominational creative artist," Jason holds both a B.A. in Drama and an M.F.A. in Theater Directing from Florida State University. He has taught performance, directing, interdisciplinary creativity, drama appreciation, and playwriting at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Stevenson University, Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Florida State University, Brooklyn College, Pace University, Farleigh Dickenson University, and Firespark! Arts Camp, as well as the Alliance Theatre Acting Program. His directing credits include work for Stevenson University, CCBC, the Vital Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Source, Juggernaut Theatre Company, Theatre Jacksonville, the Electric Theatre, Florida State University, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and IUP, where productions include KC-ACTF Region II selections The Beauty Queen of Leenane and Lindsey's Oyster as well as Picnic, The Crucible and Lysistrata.
As a performer, Jason has worked with Ground UP Productions, the Alliance Theatre, Georgia Shakespeare Festival, Horizon Theatre, and Theatrical Outfit, among many others. Jason's original plays - The Optimist, serverLove, The Bluest Water: A Hurricane Camille Story, The Stone Age and Humans: An Elf Story, were all developed with the assistance of Manhattan Class Company's Playwright's Coalition, of which he is a member. His work has been professionally produced by Ground UP Productions in New York City, La Cosa Nostra in Chicago, and the Blue Ridge Summer Theater Festival in Amherst, Va. Screenplays include: My Psychedelic Summer, The Stone Age (both co-written with Neil Butler), and Shock & Awe.
Don’t forget to also peruse our packages of pre-recorded performances and curriculum–these offer maximal flexibility for educators to use SSC’s past work for current curriculum!
A Town Divided
Presented by Southern Shakespeare Company and Tallahassee Community College, this powerful 50-minute adaptation of Romeo & Juliet centered on modern Tallahassee teenagers will engage students and spark conversation about race relations, conflict resolution, and literature alike. Follow the love story of Rob, a boy from the Northside, and Juelle, a girl from the Southside, after they connect at a performance of Romeo & Juliet at Cascades park. Adapted from Shakespeare’s classic but also based on interviews conducted in the community, this relatable, entertaining version of star-crossed love brings the drama home to the capital city.
Book Your Field Trip Performance
There’s nothing like live theatre to give students powerful, memorable experiences of literature and learning. We invite you to join us in TCC’s Turner Auditorium (444 Appleyard Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32304) for a field trip to experience the show as well as an optional talkback! Have questions? Email Education Director Jason Chimonides.
Claim Your Tickets
Or, Bring the Show to Your Classroom!
A taped version of a previous year’s performance of A Town Divided is available to stream in your classroom. This video option comes bundled with curriculum to enhance and deepen the experience and connect your students’ viewing to your learning goals. Complete our interest form to get started today!
Shakespeare Man
Devised and performed by Southern Shakespeare Educator, Phil Croton, our Shakespeare Man program brings Shakespeare to life and allows students to see, hear, and question the Bard himself.
Through our educational videos, interactive workshops, and school visits students remain engaged while learning about Shakespeare’s life during the reign of Elizabeth I and James I and analyzing his many works. Shakespeare Man is available for In-Person or Virtual Workshops year-round, customized to any of Shakespeare’s works!
These classroom visits are often free for Leon County Schools and reasonably priced for private schools, cultural institutions, and community centers.
Devised and performed by Southern Shakespeare Educator, Phil Croton, our Shakespeare Man program brings Shakespeare to life and allows students to see, hear, and question the Bard himself. Through our educational videos, interactive workshops, and school visits students remain engaged while learning about Shakespeare’s life during the reign of Elizabeth I and James I and analysing his many works.
Through our educational videos, interactive workshops, and school visits students remain engaged while learning about Shakespeare’s life during the reign of Elizabeth I and James I and analyzing his many works. Shakespeare Man is available for In-Person or Virtual Workshops year-round, customized to any of Shakespeare’s works!
These classroom visits are often free for Leon County Schools and reasonably priced for private schools, cultural institutions, and community centers.
Interested in having Shakespeare Man visit your School or Classroom?
For Information on Our FREE Blogs with the Bard YouTube series, hosted by Shakespeare Man…
SONNET MAN
Devon Glover, aka The Sonnet Man, sets Shakespeare’s love sonnets to Hip Hop beats to both entertain and educate. Bringing Shakespeare to young audiences through a genre they know and love, visits from The Sonnet Man…
- introduce classical literature
- encourage literacy
- improve communication
- create enthusiasm
- increase creative thinking
- raise student confidence
- and inspire art appreciation
The Sonnet Man returns to the capital city January 30 – February 3, 2023. Residencies are often offered at no cost to Leon County Schools and reasonably priced for private schools, cultural institutions, and community centers.
Part of a school? Complete our interest form to start booking the Sonnet Man!
Know of a deserving school or community hub? Nominate them today for a FREE Sonnet Man performance on Friday, February 3, 2023!
