Hard Time Becomes Bard Time
Adjudicated youth offenders rehearsed a scene from Shakespeare’s “Henry V’’ for performance in Lenox. (Nancy Palmieri for The Boston Globe)
There’s an amazing program in Massachusetts, Shakespeare in the Courts, that’s helping troubled teens (who may have ended up serving time in juvenile detention for their small crimes) find themselves through an intensive study and performance of a Shakespearean play.
It’s an intensive five week course, and some teens inevitably drop out… but for those who stick with it, it is a very tangible way of learning skills necessary for getting by in the world constructively. It’s also a way for most to see they can do something well outside their comfort zones, pushing them to stretch, grow, and (as a first for many) strive to be better.
As someone who has worked as an educator with at-risk populations, and as a theatre professional and Shakespeare fan, I can’t think of a more constructive use of these kids’ time. Better to learn hands on than sitting on their hands or twiddling their thumbs.
Education, and having someone believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself can turn a kids’ life around. I’ve seen it first hand, and I applaud the efforts of the intrepid facilitators of this award winning program.
Bravo! Encore! Encore!
–Sue
Add comment May 19th, 2010
