Shakespeare Set Free Workshops

Shakespeare Set Free Workshops offer an interdisciplinary, text-based, and performance-based approach to teaching Shakespeare to students of all abilities in grades 3 to 12. Based on the innovative Shakespeare Set Free book series, the workshops also draw from the student festivals held for the past 25 years at Folger Shakespeare Library, repository of the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's works.

The two tenets of Folger educational programs are:

• The study of Shakespeare is possible and rewarding for all students.
• The best way for students to understand Shakespeare is to engage with the texts by performing scenes from the plays.

Shakespeare Set Free Workshops have two components: Shakespeare education in the classroom and festival planning. The Folger’s practical and active approaches to teaching Shakespeare give teachers the means to help students own the language; the festival provides a structure of collaboration and performance to let students own the play.

We have received raves from teachers who have completed the training workshop. They now incorporate the student-centered approach in their classrooms, creating festivals and other performance opportunities for their students.

Workshop Details

We welcome the opportunity to work with you to organize an on-site workshop at your school or at another convenient location in your area. The Folger likes to work closely with an area contact person to tailor the program to meet the needs of the participants involved. Typically this is a one-day workshop for 20 to 30 teachers, incorporating hands-on approaches for teaching Shakespeare and guidance for setting up all types of elementary and secondary festivals.

Each participant receives a Shakespeare Set Free Toolkit. The Toolkit provides everything you need to get started teaching Shakespeare and can be used with any play, including: 

• lesson plans
• techniques for introducing Shakespeare's language 
• classroom activity ideas
• and more

The Folger provides free workshops for public schools in Washington, D.C. We are happy to assist other schools as they seek other funding sources. Funding possibilities include district discretionary funds, local and state humanities councils, PTA funds, grants from private foundations, mentor and "teacher of the year" projects, and state grants. Contact us for more information on workshop costs.

The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation generously provided the funds for four Director-In-Residence programs in New Jersey for the 2011-12 season.