Drama Department and Syracuse Stage take Shakespeare to kids

Drama Department and Syracuse Stage take Shakespeare to kidsSeptember 23, 2003Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

Six students from Syracuse University’s drama department will be re-enacting William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for 22 schools in a four-county area of Central New York this semester. The production is a collaboration with local children’s author Bruce Coville, author of the popular children’s books “My Teacher is an Alien,” and “Aliens Ate My Homework” and adapter of Shakespeare’s plays into concise versions appropriate for children.

Marie Kemp, assistant professor of drama at SU, worked with Coville to adapt the 21-character play so that six students could play multiple roles. The original music for the re-adaptation was composed by SU design major Cory Pattak.

“Our children tours provide us with the chance to reach out to young people in the community,” says Kemp. “It is a great opportunity for SU students to practice their craft, and it is always wonderful to see young children inspired and awed by Shakespeare.”

The production is supported in part by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Lockheed Martin Employees Federated Fund. The tour runs from Sept. 30-Dec. 11