Free Student Programming at Red River Theatres

“Here let us breathe and happly institute a course of learning and ingenious studies” – Taming of the Shrew

To launch our new STEAM ACADEMY series BARDS ON THE BIG SCREEN and to celebrate Bill’s 450 birthday – RRT is bringing to the big screen some of the best big screen adaptations of William Shakespeare’s work and highlight his life and times.. In coming years we will present film adaptations of works by Jane Austin, Mark Twain and many more. Our 2014 -15 sponsor is Parker Education!

“The use of film has long been the English teacher’s secret weapon. The reward for finishing the book with the tried and true activity “Compare and Contrast the film version to that of the book or play.” And sometimes we even add the, “Discuss why the screenwriter or director may have chosen to make that change.” And while this is still a very worthwhile assignment, there are some other approaches.

Consider watching the film before reading the Shakespeare work with your students. I know this might seem like you are breaking some cardinal English teacher rule, but if you have ever had your students struggle with Shakespeare’s archaic language so much that your entire class period is spent JUST on deciphering the plot, you might want to consider this option. By allowing students to view the film, students gain an understanding of the events, the conflicts and the characters. This frees your classroom time to be spent on analyzing Shakespeare’s use of figurative language, use of dramatic irony, blank verse etc. I still consider this one of the best changes I have ever made to my approach to teaching work by Shakespeare!

Another option is to choose a film that compliments another work you are studying, or even a different subject area (A History class studying the Renaissance might want to consider SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE as a great background (schema) builder before learning about the era, or to reinforce or review topics already covered. RRT’s BARDS ON THE BIG SCREEN is a wonderful out of school learning experience. ”

Michele Caccavaro, English Department Chair, Newport High School and RRT Parton

Most of the titles in the series will play twice on the selected day at RRT, once in the AM for school groups and once in the evening for the general public. Check website for more information.

December 18 @ 9:30 for Students & 6PM for general public: TAMING OF THE SHREW (1967) Unrated - FRANCO ZEFFIRELLI (122 minutes)Baptista (Michael Hordern), a harried father, insists his younger, desirable daughter Bianca (Natasha Pyne) must postpone thoughts of marriage until her older, ill-tempered sister Katharina (Elizabeth Taylor) has a husband. Enter roguish fortune hunter Petruchio (Richard Burton) who, for a fee, will take Kate off his hands. Shakespeare purists may complain about director Franco Zeffirelli’s adaptation, but the cast is in great form and this beautifully photographed, meticulously scored movie is fabulously entertaining.

Additional titles in 2015 - Learn More

Please RSVP for morning screening to shudson@redrivertheatres.org and for the evening screening visit www.redrivertheatres.org.