Shakespeare Lectures

Shakespeare

Education

 


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I was an unlikely candidate for Shakespeare education work. I have no college degree or formal pedagogical training.

I was just starting my journey with Shakespeare when a friend of mine, Cynde Liffick at Bard Unbound asked me to assist her with some drama camps she was teaching. Mostly I was tasked with wrangling wayward ten-year-olds, and I agreed to do it more as a favor to Cynde than because I had any particular interest in teaching.

I happened to mention to a hair client who was a high school literature teacher that I was helping with some Shakespeare camps for kids, and she asked me to come speak to her class about my experiences with Shakespeare. I hesitantly agreed and gave my first lectures on Macbeth.

From there, things snowballed. Mostly through word of mouth I received more requests to help out with theatre camps and more requests to lecture in schools.

I’ve now given dozens of talks in literature classes from middle school through college, taught Shakespeare camps for children, in addition to writing some educational TV spots for the local PBS affiliate called Bard Bits.

I think of my job as being less about imparting knowledge than sharing enthusiasm. Too many students think Shakespeare is meant to be studied rather than enjoyed, and I hope that I give them permission to find joy in the Bard and that loving Shakespeare enriches their lives as it has enriched mine.

  


Lecturing at Saint Margaret’s School

Lecturing at Saint Margaret’s School

   

  

some schools I’ve worked with:

Creighton University, 2021, Addie Barnhart

University of Richmond, 2015, 2018, Dr. Anthony Russell, Dr. Lidia Radi

St. Margaret’s School, 2015—2020, Shannon Spears

Steward School, 2017, 2019, Stephanie Arnold

Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, 2018, 2019, Addie Barnhart

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Words can’t express what an absolute pleasure it was to have Mac present to my students. They were charmed by his passion and his personal connection. The insights he shared inspired the kids to look at Macbeth with a fresh perspective.
— Stephanie Arnold, Steward School
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It was wonderful for my students to be exposed to his perspectives and his contagious passion!
— Dr. Anthony Russell, University of Richmond
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I can confidently say his passion, knowledge, and tenacity are unlike any other I’ve seen in my peer group…Mac is possibly the most knowledgeable Shakespearean scholar that I know personally, and yet he is game for anything, eager to play alongside the students, and excited about the subject that can easily dishearten a new teacher.
— Addie Barnhart, Creighton University

 

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