For more than fifteen years, the Stratford Festival has led an annual residency in Michigan in partnership with teachers and students at the secondary and post-secondary levels and in collaboration with community arts organizations.
The mandate of the Michigan Residency is to explore innovative pedagogical strategies and to support educators in integrating these practices in their own contexts across the state. In the classroom, participating teachers and students work with Festival staff and teaching artists to tie state academic standards for English Language Arts and Theatre to the study of Shakespeare.
"The workshop increased my conviction that Shakespeare is a vital language experience, especially when brought to life physically by the students in the classroom. Using the real elements of theatre - voice, movement, embodied imagination - students are far more likely to connect with the spirit and value of Shakespeare. Silent reading just doesn't work."
- Michigan Residency participant
The Michigan Residency is offered free of charge to participating students and teachers.
It is supported in part through the Michigan Education Outreach Fund, held within the Stratford Shakespearean Festival Endowment Foundation.
For information on how you can support the Residency, please call our Advancement department at 1.800.561.1233, extension 5617.
2021 Virtual Michigan Residency
September 27-October 15, 2021
This program aims to:
- provide students and teachers access to dynamic professional productions;
- explore innovative pedagogical strategies with teachers and students;
- support teachers to confidently and creatively teach theatre and dramatic literature in a way that aligns with academic standards for English Language Arts and Theatre;
- deepen student engagement through inclusive, participatory learning experiences.
It is offered in two parts:
1. Access to Virtual Productions
2. Post-Show Student Workshops
1) ACCESS TO VIRTUAL PRODUCTIONS
Teachers choose one of the following Stratford Festival On Film productions and receive access to a secure link for students to view in school or from home.
• Othello (2019)
• The Merry Wives of Windsor (2019)
• R+J (2021)
• A Midsummer Night's Dream (2021)
2) POST-SHOW STUDENT WORKSHOPS
Teachers can deepen the experience by booking a virtual post-show student workshop in connection with one of the filmed productions. Each workshop will be an hour in length and will include discussion, Q&A and some applied learning exercises.
REGISTRATION, DATES & DETAILS
Registration now open! Book your Virtual Residency spot today. BOOK NOW
Once you have booked your spot a follow up email will be sent to you with details on booking a specific virtual production and to arrange the details for the student workshop.
E-mail educate@stratfordfestival.ca if you have any questions.
Access to Virtual Productions:
• September 27-October 1
• October 4-October 8
• October 11-October 15
Post-Show Student Workshops:
• October 4-October 15