Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
217 West 12th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Education & Outreach Programs
Grant Application:
Whether in person or online, the CSC Education Program has been serving students for more than 25 years. Dedicated to improving perception, appreciation, and overall comprehension of Shakespeare, the Education Program is constantly evolving to the needs of teachers and students, equipping the next generation of Cincinnati’s leaders with essential 21st century skills and a personal confidence in their own ability to learn. Through the CSC Education Program, students and teachers learn the necessary skills to understand Shakespeare’s plays and apply dynamic learning concepts to their daily lives. Beyond English and Language Arts classes, the CSC Education Program can be adapted across many different subjects. From history to the humanities to STEM, the process of grasping Shakespeare and the Classics often benefits other key curriculum expectations. Learning this way has dramatic implications for students – in ways far more important than simply Shakespeare comprehension.
During the 2021-2022 school year, CSC will continue to adapt to the lasting impact COVID-19 has had on the educational landscape and will continue to find ways to serve the Cincinnati regions students and teachers through educational matinees, workshops, classes, camps, residencies, and PROJECT38.
Goals/Objectives of the program"
The CSC Education Program is based on an ideology of “WITH not FOR,” where students and teachers are collaborators on the same team and source material is both relevant and engaging because students have the buy-in that comes from helping create the work. Learning this way has dramatic implications for students – equipping them with essential 21st century skills including collaborative thinking, analytical skills and personal confidence in their own ability to learn. Outside of the classroom, students also report higher levels of tolerance, creativity and empathy.
Thus, GOALS AND OUTCOMES throughout the 2021-2022 school year included:
To cultivate students’ appreciation for classic literature and live theatre
To improve students’ overall engagement with classroom curriculum
To improve students’ 21st century skills (creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, grit)
To increase students’ social skills (self-confidence and ability to make friends)
To develop students' empathy and understanding for others
Grant Evaluation Report:
The 2021-2022 Education Program was about honoring commitments. On the Mainstage, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company delivered on promises made to its patrons in March 2020 – that the Company would be back and better than ever. After 579 days of darkness, CSC triumphantly re-opened the theater with a Shakespearean Classic, Romeo and Juliet.
And in classrooms and schools across the Greater Cincinnati region, CSC was making good on that same promise – that the Tour Company and CSC Teaching Artists would again return to classrooms to help make Shakespeare accessible and relevant to all.
This season we re-started our business and re-welcomed audiences of all ages back to the Otto M. Budig Theater. Under the leadership of Candice Handy, CSC’s New Director of Education, students returned for in-person programming including student matinee performances, workshops, talk-backs, and the PROJECT38 Festival.
In response to this year’s programming CSC received the following feedback:
“I wanted to say thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to see Romeo & Juliet yesterday. It was such a great experience! We were thrilled and our students talked about it all day today. We so appreciate everyone at the theater accommodating our rowdy crew. This is the first time so many of my students have ever been given the opportunity to attend a play, much less a Shakespeare production. I can’t wait to take this back to the classroom and build on the experience of attending a live performance. This was invaluable and a total highlight of the fall semester.” - Chelsea Lehman, English Teacher, Colerain High School
“(addressed to Jeremy Dubin, the actor who played Lord Capulet) I really enjoyed your performance! I hated you for a while, but when I calmed down I came to realize, “LOL right! It’s a play!” You brought your character to life. I was so intrigued and in awe!” - Nubri Herdaway, The New School
“Thank you for including us in the production of “Romeo and Juliet.” I enjoyed it so much and there was so much emotion presented. I think that Courtney and Crystian did a phenomenal job as Romeo and Juliet. I felt transported to the world of Shakespeare. I loved reacting to it and it was amazing for it being my first Shakespeare play. I had a lot of fun.” - Peyton Gabbard, 9th Grade, Archbishop Moeller HS
“My child immediately felt welcome, comfortable and engaged. For emotion-filled teens, theater is the perfect environment to work out those emotions and the staff allowed the space for the process. Encouraged it, really. My child woke up every day (before 8am!!!) excited to head to camp. Even if a teen isn't interested in theater as a future career, the ability to listen, connect and build with others is such an important skill; and these kids really learned and practiced that skill while at camp. My child came home every day from camp excited, happy and energized. I can't thank you all enough.”- A parent whose child received a scholarship to CSC Summer Camp
And from students who participated in PROJECT38:
“It was really creative, and I liked being able to take class time, and act. It felt nice being with my class having fun, and learning at the same time. This was definitely my favorite school experience!”
“I loved getting to work with my classmates it really helped my self-confidence.”
“I really loved this experienc, and being "free" with writing our own story, and acting it out with my friends.”
Website:
http://www.cincyshakes.com Amount: $25,000
Date: January 2025
