AST Shakespeare in Isolation - Educational Content

The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (AST) launches an interactive educational component titled “Shakespeare in Isolation: Conflict and Forgiveness.”

“The pandemic has made live performances difficult; however, AST is dedicated to the performing arts and arts education in Arkansas,” explains Shauna Meador, Executive Managing Producer of AST and Chair of the Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing. “While we had to cancel our summer season for the second year due to COVID-19, we still wanted to find ways to give back to our state.”

After interviewing educators all over the state, it was clear that they wanted a personalized and unique programming. Shakespeare in Isolation: Conflict and Forgiveness provides materials that engage the student and bring AST into the 9th through 12th grade classroom. The interactive videos compare the emotions and situations that we are experiencing today with that of Shakespeare’s iconic characters.

“I’m hoping that the program will not only be fun but will be a resource for teachers and a reminder that AST is thinking of them and actively working toward becoming an even greater partner in the future,” states Chad Bradford, director of the AST Shakespeare in Isolation: Conflict and Forgiveness.

The content is free and may be accessed after completing a form at arkshakes.com.

Shakespeare in Isolation: Conflict and Forgiveness was paid for in part by a grant through the Arkansas Arts Council. We request that anybody who participates in the content to please complete a brief survey so we can capture information for our final grant report.

For more information, contact Melissa Pearson, AST/UCA Theatre Business Manager, at melissap@uca.edu or (501) 450-5092.

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) includes the Departments of Art and Design; English; Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing; History; Language, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures; Music; Philosophy and Religion; Political Science, Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology; and the School of Communication, as well as Reynolds Performance Hall and the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. The CAHSS office is located in McCastlain Hall, Suite 110 on the UCA campus. Visit the CAHSS website at uca.edu/cahss or call (501) 450-3293 for more information.