For School Groups — Performances & Drama Instruction

Marin Shakespeare Company provides many ways to enhance arts instruction at your school and introduce students to Shakespeare and Theatre. Our teachers are all working professionals in the Bay Area theatre community. We will work with you to create a program that meets your needs and budget.

In-School Instruction in the Classroom
• PLAY POWER – Creative Dramatics Instruction in Your Classroom
• WILL POWER – Shakespeare Instruction in Your Classroom
• After-School Classes
• Shakespeare Performances by Your Students

Shakespeare Performances for School Groups
• Shakespeare for Student Audiences
• Teen Touring Company performances at your school

Resources for Classroom Teachers
• Teacher Training
• Discovery Guides
• Virtual Programming

In-School Instruction in the Classroom

PLAY POWER – Creative Dramatics in Your Classroom
Our sequential, standards-based in-schools drama program for grades K-5 is aligned with the common core.  Our curriculum includes improvisation/creativity, public speaking, and dramatic performance. Students will act out poems and stories from around the world with age-appropriate material that integrates drama study with ongoing classroom curriculum. We currently provide 6-week to year-round programs in public elementary schools in San Rafael and Novato.  These programs are provided at no or low costs to schools serving large numbers of low-income families.

WILL POWER – Shakespeare Instruction in Your Classroom
From one-day workshops to semester-long residencies, we provide exciting and accessible experiences to get students excited about studying Shakespeare. From a one-day introduction to a specific play, to a multi-week series of classes, we can cover plot/characters/themes, close textual reading, verse/prose/poetic devices, performances, and more. We typically provide Shakespeare instruction for middle and high schools, but can tailor curriculum for younger students as well.  We also offer a FREE SHAKESPEARE CLASSROOM VISIT to any High School English classroom in a Marin public school — Let our Teaching Artists lead acting-inspired exercises designed to inspire your students’ Shakespeare study.  For more than one Visit, we will be happy to discuss a fee structure.

Afterschool Shakespeare or Theatre Classes
A great addition to any school’s afterschool enrichment program, Shakespeare classes allow students to explore Shakespeare’s language, characters and themes through games, exercises, and performing scenes and speeches.  Or choose to offer a Creative Dramatics class, with students performing a short play on the final day. We provide enriching afterschool classes that engage the imagination and build dramatic skills.

Shakespeare Performance by Your Students
Your school provides the performance space, Marin Shakespeare provides a director, a specially shortened script, and set and costume pieces from our stock. Give your students an opportunity to embody some of the greatest characters ever written.  Typically, a program will be for 8 to 10 weeks, with classes twice a week and one or two final performances.

Fee Structure
Classroom Visits & Workshops Under 10 hours: $150 per classroom hour.
Classroom Visits & Workshops 10 hours or more: $100 per classroom hour.
Some programs are provided at no or low cost to schools.

Fees will vary by agreement with your school, depending on the schedules, location and curriculum. We’ll work with you to create a program that fits your needs. The cost for Will Power and Play Power varies according to the number of hours of instruction, number of students, and the school’s ability to provide funding. Past funding sources have included PTA’s, individual student tuition for afterschool classes, and grants.

Shakespeare Performances for School Groups:

Shakespeare for Student Audiences
Give your students the gift of live theatre!  Performances are at 514 Fourth Street in San Rafael.  There is a pre-show introduction and an post-show Workshop session with the actors.  Ticket are free for students, teachers and parent drivers.

We also offer pre- and post- performance Classroom Visits; let our artistic staff help introduce the play to your students and deepen their enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Teen Touring Company
To schedule a free performance of the Teen Touring Company at your school, make sure to submit your request by the Fall deadline.  Click here for more information about the Teen Touring Company.

See our Discovery Guide section for more information for teachers.

For more information, call our Education Director at 415-499-4487 or email education@marinshakespeare.org

Resources for Classroom Teachers

Professional Development
Workshops are designed for middle and high school teachers looking for new ways to introduce their students to Shakespeare and make Shakespeare fun.  We will leave you with inspired ideas, curriculum materials, and increased confidence and enthusiasm for teaching Shakespeare.

Discovery Guides
Our Discovery Guides are designed to help teachers prepare students for Student Matinee and Teen Touring Company performances and include background information, classroom activities, exercises, and more. These Discovery Guides are for the sole use of educators and may not be used for commercial or personal use without written permission from Marin Shakespeare Company. All rights reserved.

Click here to view Discovery Guides available for download

“They geared the content towards what we wanted or needed help with, they listened to us, and they understood our fears or insecurities with working with Shakespeare.” —High School Teacher, Tamalpais District