The Youngest Shakespeare Company

A (Shakespearian) Dream come true..., July 5, 2008

By Brad A. W. Brown

My child entered into the realm of theatre and drama via the Youngest Shakespeare Company (YCS) at twelve years of age. As a student of Shakespeare and with the devoted and caring guidance of her teachers, my daughter became involved in a life altering experience that has contributed to every facet of her life. During the past three years she has evolved into a confident person, capable of thriving and embracing the unknown and finding the experience both exhilarating and fulfilling. She has become and continues to be a person whose repertoire both on and off the stage is fascinating for me and I can say without qualification that the YSC has played a significant role in her development of the person that I know and respect.

I can honestly attest to the fact that there is nothing more overwhelming than having your child use her “voice” to give life to the words and works of Shakespeare and have an audience applaud with you when your child and the other actors stand center stage and bow.

The only thing I can add is, Bravo! Thank you.

Fabulous Experience, June 15, 2008

By Christina Loeffel

My daughter came to this company young and inexperienced, and after 6 months was still young but full of enthusiasm! The youth are guided to express The Bard's word with accuracy and emotion. Both John and Christine give feedback, accentuating the positives and work with the kids in areas needing improvement. We were flabbergasted at the high level of theatre this youthful group presented at the end. Although the quantity of practices increases at the end, a bit of fun mixes it up and keeps them focused. We are looking forward to another season with the company.

Amazing Experience!!!, May 29, 2008

The Youngest Shakespeare Company is a fantastic program for kids to explore the world of theatre, drama, improvisation as well as learn amazing skills such as voice training and projection, flexibility and develop self-confidence. The teachers, who are absolutely phenomenal, get to know their students and help them maximize on their strength all the while developing new ones as they go along. The high respect between teacher and pupil creates a learning environment where the kids continually thrive. The Shakespeare play that is presented at the end of the year is positively amazing; an authentic Shakespeare play with beautiful costumes and props, where the emphasis is on the characters themselves. The students take each character and develop its’ unique personality which is reflected in their fabulour performance. Even teachers from the students’ high schools encourage other students to come and see the plays, often one that they are currently studying.

We have been with YSC for three years now and my daughter told me after the play that “It gives me such a sense of accomplishment.” She glows with pride and confidence! This is truly an amazing life experience, one which will stay with her forever!! I highly recommend this program. Thanks!

Shakespeare rediscovered: Ideal for teaching about acting and life. And it’s not “hard”!, May 24, 2008

First of all, if you are looking for a drama program in which to enroll your child, but if you think that the notion of kids “doing” Shakespeare can only be “hard”, “snobby” or “elitist”, then think again. We suggest that will be pleasantly surprised.

We do not know much about the competing “trends” in teaching youngsters about theatre and drama, but we recommend the Youngest Shakespeare Company highly. Over the years, we have seen fine productions of Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and the best presentation of Richard III we ever saw.

No clichés or fads here. No fancy sets or scenery featuring untamed kids “discovering” themselves through “self-expression”, mumbling or shouting incoherent, improvised scripts, hamming it up, and grimacing at their families in the audience.

Instead you will find a committed group of young teen actors and actresses who come to work and play together, studying speech, diction, projection, movement, and interaction through the works of the man who was at once the greatest writer of English ever, the greatest playwright ever – in any language – as well as one of the wisest connoisseurs of human nature who ever lived.

Life skills? In addition to the basics of the craft of acting, your kids will be exposed to the ageless lessons of love, loyalty, history, politics, intrigue, justice, innocence and beauty: all received in a climate of respect for themselves, their fellow actors, their teachers and for the art of acting.

The Youngest Shakespeare Company, May 22, 2008

The YSC is a drama group that introduces young people to the technique of acting. The members of the group, most of whom join at about the age of 8 or 9, learn the skills of movement and voice production by means of fun activities, including the use of Commedia dell'Arte masks. They put on a Christmas show each December and and full theatrical production each May. Group members have bigger and bigger parts each year until by the age of about 14 they are ready to undertake leading roles. This year they performed Macbeth in a truly magnificent production, which gave the greatest enjoyment to audience and performers.

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