Shakespeare Conquest

Mission Statement: The Shakespeare Conquest Class empowers scholars to see their own greatness and accomplish hard things.

Through this class your scholar will develop skills in leadership, including: communication, confidence, literacy, oral presentation, acting, reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, teamwork, innovation, diction, history, a greater vocabulary, and so much more. Shakespeare is the vehicle we use to achieve these goals!

FALL SEMESTER: Royalty Race and Queens Challenge

Fall Semester is about your scholars immersing themselves in the works of Shakespeare! We will study Hamlet in depth through weekly reading, writing, and discussion. Scholars will also learn about the Elizabethan Era, learn about Shakespeare himself, build trust as a group through acting games, and much more. We do this through the Royalty Race and the Queens Challenge.

Royalty Race – This is a literal class race to read, watch or listen to 17 Shakespeare plays! The race begins after the first day of class. Each class member starts at the status of “Peasant” and can gain rank all the way up to “King” or “Queen” status if/when they complete 17 plays!

• The goal is NOT to understand everything they see/read/hear, but for them to immerse themselves into as many plays as they can. Usually by the 7th play they start to understand more of the language, jokes and themes.
• Each week the Scholars can report how many plays they have completed. We will encourage each other and mark off their progress as a class.
• This race starts out as overwhelming and ends with great feelings of empowerment!
• Scholars can read and listen to a play at the same time (which would count as 2)
• Scholars can watch multiple versions of the same play, or listen to multiple versions of the play. They will understand and gain more each time.
• See the section called “Royalty Race Tips” in this information packet for more tips and details.

Queens Challenge – In this challenge we deepen our study of Shakespeare through these 7 steps:

• Read the weekly Hamlet reading assignment and discuss it in class the following week.
• Complete 9 writing assignments–there is a short writing assignment each week that correlates with their weekly reading.
• Watch, read or listen to at least 7 Shakespeare Plays (we would love everyone to get to 17 but even 7 is a great accomplishment)
• Give a 10-15 minute presentation on an Elizabethan Era topic
• Fill out a Personal Vocabulary word list
• Memorize and recite a Shakespeare monologue from memory
• Participate in the Summit Shakespeare Festival on Dec 6th

Summit Shakespeare Festival – Everything we do in the fall helps prepare us for the Festival on Dec 6th. The Scholars will showcase for their families what they have learned all semester, and they will receive recognition for their participation in both the Royalty Race and the Queens Challenge!

PARENTS PURCHASE FOR FALL: No Fear Shakespeare: Hamlet to bring each week to class. Binders will be given out to all Scholars on the first day of class with all this information plus more, and the binder should be brought to class each week.

WINTER SEMESTER: Actors Training

In January our class will transform into a 10 week long Actors Training Class! This training is essential to prepare the scholars for the spring play.

Actors Training – The majority of the class will be filled with acting training including: practice using our creativity and imagination, acting with emotions, movement, projecting our voice, breathing techniques, bringing characters to life, improvisation, understanding stage directions, etc.

Reading – There will be a weekly reading assignment for the first 5 weeks as we read and discuss one Act per week of our Spring play (TBD). This will give the scholars an understanding of the play we will perform, its themes and the cast of characters.

PARENTS PURCHASE FOR WINTER: No Fear Shakespeare: TBD to bring to class each week for six weeks.

SPRING: Prepare and Perform a Shakespeare Comedy

Our entire year of study and training builds towards the exciting experience of preparing and performing one of Shakespeare’s comedies for a live audience. It’s what we’ve been training for all year!

Auditions – We will have auditions on March 11th, giving all scholars an opportunity to demonstrate the skills they’ve been practicing all year.

Casting – When we make casting decisions we consider many different things:

• What is each scholar’s comfort level? What sort of roles are they gravitating to most?
• Were they able to memorize their monologue in the fall?
• How much did they prepare for their audition?
• How much are they participating in class?
• Is this their first or second year in Shakespeare? (Priority is usually given to 2nd year scholars.)
• What role will encourage them to grow individually without becoming overwhelmed?

It is very important for us to carefully interpret each scholar’s potential for growth through the year. We want to take them from their current comfort level and encourage them to a higher level without overwhelming them. These decisions are made meticulously and carefully while considering many months of working with each individual.

Spring Break – This will be two wonderful weeks that your scholar will dive into memorizing their lines!

Rehearsals – After spring break we will rehearse for 6 weeks! There will be 3 rehearsals per week (see attached calendar for dates and times) for 5 weeks, and then daily rehearsal for “Tech Week.” It is imperative that each scholar be available for 100% of the rehearsals. The absence of any one person in a scene can drastically effect how rehearsal time can be used. Often we have only 1-2 time blocks to work on the details of a scene, so every hour is planned out wisely. If your child will miss ANY rehearsals, please let us know as soon as possible. We MUST know before auditions if they will miss rehearsals. Missing rehearsals can ruin the play for everyone. Please be respectful to the director and other actors by keeping your commitment and attending EVERY rehearsal.

Parent Roles – The play cannot come together without the team effort of each family! Before auditions we will have a mandatory Parent Meeting to divide up the different support roles that we will need to fill. Each parent will be responsible for one role. These are tasks such as: helping with costumes, creating programs, hosting the cast party, photography, videography, t-shirts, props, running a concession stand, stage managing, and others. If you already know of a role you would like to fulfill, please reach out to us.

PARENTS PURCHASE FOR SPRING: Each family is responsible for their cast member’s costumes. After casting and before Spring Break we will give guidance on each cast member’s costume. It will be each family’s responsibility to put together those costumes. We strongly encourage creativity, thrift shopping, and resourcefulness to do this. This should not be a large expense, but will take time and effort to bring the costume together.

Performances – We will have 2 performances! It will be so exciting to celebrate all the effort the class has made through the year! Please put these performance dates and times on your calendar now!

This is going to be a wonderful school year! We are so excited to build relationships with each and every scholar and to create a comfortable, safe and fun environment for them to learn in. Please communicate with us about any questions or concerns you and/or your scholar may have at any time in the class. We are here to help and accommodate where we can!

Shakespeare Conquest 2025-2026 Calendar

Sept 10 – First day of class. Bring No Fear Shakespeare: Hamlet 

Oct 3 – Friday – Movie Night at Tikla Fife’s House 6:00-9:00pm: Hamlet, with Mel Gibson (1991)

Saturday, Dec 6 – Summit Shakespeare Festival 1:30pm (Setup begins at 1:00pm, all class members MUST attend setup) 

Jan 7 – 10 Week Actor’s Training begins. Bring No Fear Shakespeare: TBD

Jan 9 – Friday – Movie Night at Lilian Winter’s House 6:00-9:00pm: TBA 

Feb 25 – Hand out Scripts in Class 

March 4 – Spring Play Parent Meeting 12:15-1:00 @Footprints. All Parents MUST Attend. Child care provided. 

Wednesday, March 11 – Auditions 10-2pm (scholars will need to be picked up late from class)

Wednesday, March 18 – Read through of script, costume details will be given out

Spring Break: April 1st & April 8th – Two Weeks off of class, begin memorizing lines! 

Shakespeare Spring Play 2026 Rehearsal Schedule 

• Monday 3/23 – 12:00–3:00 
• Tuesday 3/24 – 12:00–3:00 
• Wednesday 3/25 – 10:00–1:00 (extending late after Commonwealth) 

• Monday 4/13 – 12:00–3:00 
• Tuesday 4/14 – 12:00–3:00 
• Wednesday 4/15 – 10:00–1:00 (extending late after Commonwealth) 

• Monday 4/20 – 12:00–3:00 
• Tuesday 4/21 – 12:00–3:00 
• Wednesday 4/22 – 10:00–1:00 (extending late after Commonwealth) 

• Monday 4/27 – 12:00–3:00 
• Tuesday 4/28 – 12:00–3:00 
• Wednesday 4/29 – 10:00–1:00 (extending late after Commonwealth) 

• Monday 5/4 – 12:00–3:00 
• Tuesday 5/5 – 12:00–3:00 
• Wednesday 5/6 – 10:00–1:00 (extending late after Commonwealth) 

Tech Week! (Note Different Times this week) 

• Monday 5/11 – 11:00–3:00 
• Tuesday 5/12 – 11:00–3:00 
• Wednesday 5/13 – 10:00–2:00 Full Dress Rehearsal 
• Thursday 5/14 – 11:00–3:00 Full Dress Rehearsal 

Friday, May 15 – Call time 5pm, Evening Performance 7pm 

Saturday, May 16 – Call time 12pm, Matinee Performance 2pm, cast party after

Royalty Race Tips

• Remember, Shakespeare wrote these plays to be performed on stage! Not simply to be read as scripts. The stories come alive most when we see them as they were intended.
• Before watching a new play find a short YouTube synopsis of the play to give you a headstart in understanding what the play is about. A quick summary in modern English goes a long way!
• Abridged versions of the plays do not count!
• Subtitles while watching a play do not count as completing 2 plays
• Watch parties with other scholars are encouraged!
• We will have a small “Lending Library” in class each week to loan out material one week at a time. Parents are responsible for researching the DVD content.
• YouTube has several free performances to watch of several plays
• You can use Clear Play or VidAngel through your Amazon Prime account to keep out questionable viewing material
• Audio versions by Archangel are the best (Available on Libby or Audible)
• Subscriptions like BroadwayHD or BritBox through Amazon Prime have many wonderful plays available – simply cancel it after 2 months.
• Parents please join in and watch with your scholar! It can be far more entertaining and witty than you may expect!
• Google a list of Shakespeare’s plays from shortest to longest. It doesn’t hurt to enjoy the shortest ones.

Movies Suggestions To Begin

Here are my suggestions to get started. You will need to decide if they are appropriate for your family.

The best stage play versions (which are often cleaner than movie versions and the best performances) are by the RSC: Royal Shakespeare Company (recorded live from the theater in Stratford where Shakespeare is from) and Globe on Screen (recorded from Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London).

Romeo and Juliet

• Amazon Prime, 2013 version is my favorite: Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth

Twelfth Night

• Amazon Prime, 1996 version with Helena Bonham Carter

Much Ado About Nothing

• The 1993 Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson version is my favorite, but there is a brief moment in the opening scene that shows some female naked backsides.

The Comedy of Errors

• YouTube, 1976 movie version with Judy Dench
• YouTube, Coronado Playhouse full version – more modern setting
• There are several other free stage performances on YouTube

The Merchant of Venice

• 2015 “RSC” Royal Shakespeare Company version – very good, modern setting
• 2016 “Globe on Screen” version with Jonathan Pryce – very good performance of Shylock