Shakespeare and Company (S&C) launches its 12th annual “Fall Festival of Shakespeare” at the Berkshire Community College on Nov. 16. The ten-play series runs through Nov. 19.
With a theme of inter-scholastic celebration rather than competition, an estimated 600 students from eleven high schools in Berkshire County, western Massachusetts and eastern New York will participate in producing the Bard’s works. Kids have the opportunity to experience research, voice training, movement, stage combat, and period dance under the instruction of S&C’s trained company artists who travel to the schools in teams.
Among the participating schools are Chatham High School, Lee High School, Lenox Memorial High School, McCann Technical School, Monument Mountain Regional High School, Mt. Everett Regional High School, Mt. Greylock Regional High School, Northampton High School (collaborating with Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School) Springfield Central High School and Taconic High School.
The students have already completed rehearsals of their productions at their respective schools and are now starting a four-day non-competitive marathon of Shakespeare at Berkshire Community College.
-- By Murdoch McBride