Geraint Wyn Davies as Prospero in The Temptest, on stage Dec 2 – Jan 11. Photo by Scott Suchman, Courtesy Shakepeare Theatre Company
The Shakespeare Theatre Company recently announced the return of Family Week! If you want to introduce your kids to the work of The Bard, this is a perfect time to do so. From December 12 through 22, during the five-week run of The Tempest, STC will be hosting a variety of programs and performances geared especially to young theatre-goers. Owen and I took advantage of Family Week a couple of years ago, when A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream was the featured production, and we both loved it (read about our experience). This time around, they are offering even more special events for kids to experience a “brave new world” of Shakespeare.
TempFEST
Saturday, December 12
Performance: 2pm, Festival: 4:30-6pm
Sidney Harman Hall
Experience the mystical island world of Shakespeare’s The Tempest followed by an inside look at how the magic of theatre creates this world. Then meet the cast and enjoy family friendly activities complete with fun and food in the Orchestra Lobby. Tickets are $125 each and include premium seating for the performance, party, behind the scenes experiences and activities. As a part of Family Week, STC is providing free tickets to every performance to families in underserved communities. Your support of this event makes these donations possible. To purchase tickets, call 202.608.6309 or email familyseries@shakespearetheatre.org.
The Tiny Tempest
December 15-21
FREE, ages 5-10
Sidney Harman Hall Forum
Based on William Shakespeare’s The Tempest but envisioned for young audiences. Discover the enchanted island and the characters that inhabit it. After the performance, students will get dramatic themselves through group activities and a discussion with the cast.
Making Stage Magic
Sunday, December 14
Post-show
Sidney Harman Hall
After the 2pm matinee of The Tempest, cast and crew share secrets of the stage and special effects from the production.
The Tempest Costumes: Designing a World
Tuesday, December 16, 5-6pm
Sidney Harman Hall Forum
Get up close and personal with costumes from The Tempest. Through this show-and-tell with Costume Director Wendy Stark Prey, learn how costumes get from the designer’s mind to an actor’s body.
Playing the Play: The Tempest
Thursday, December 18, 5-6pm
Sidney Harman Hall Forum
Get inside The Tempest before you see it onstage. Through theatre games and acting activities, dive into the themes and characters of the drama. Parents are welcome to play, too.
Sonnets with Superpowers
Friday, December 19, 4-6:30pm
Sidney Harman Hall Forum
Sonnets, am I right? Well, let me tell you, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day,” “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun,” etc. won’t be able to hold a candle to the flame that will be our students’ original sonnets. This workshop will break the sonnet form down, stress by unstress, line by rhyme, and present a variety of famous examples to students as they gear up to write their own “little song.” Led by 826DC.
Back Stage Tour
Monday, December 22, 5pm
Sidney Harman Hall
Go backstage, explore the set and see what the actors see every night. Led by STC staff and crew, this tour will give you an inside look at professional theatre and what it takes to make a show.
