Kate's FREE Shakespeare Educational Resources

Hello friends, family, and community:

I am raising funds and hoping to create some awareness and buy-in (literally and figuratively) for a passion project I'm working on: An in-depth series of public videos and accompanying worksheets that outline Shakespeare’s Folio Technique for diverse learners. All the videos will be posted to YouTube, and all the resources will be copyrighted, but entirely FREE to anyone who wants them. The worksheets will come in several forms, including fill-in-the-blank printable versions for classrooms, type-in/drop-down menus for virtual learning, and filled-in copies for anyone who just wants notes. The worksheets and videos will also be embedded with activities and journals so whoever is watching can pause to try things out themselves and take time to complete a guided reflection.

ABOUT ME: I have been teaching music, theatre, and a little English and art appreciation to students with learning differences for the past 7 years and I’ve become very passionate about presenting information in a way that empowers all types of learners. Thanks to what MY great teachers taught me about Folio Technique, I experienced the completely transformative, confidence-boosting, vulnerability-inducing power and tight, warm hug that is Shakespeare's poetry, and I've never let go. I've since directed high schoolers in Shakespeare scenes, directed a full-length production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, coached a group of dedicated students in the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's Chicago Shakespeare Slam, taught Shakespeare through the actor's lens in a high school English curriculum, taught a beginning Shakespeare monologue course to adults, and proudly volunteer as a Facilitator with A.B.L.E. Ensemble: an organization dedicated to creating theatre and film for, with, and by teens and adults with Down Syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. I've also done a little acting in Shakespeare scenes and plays myself here and there :). I deeply believe that Shakespeare's words are timeless, valuable teaching tools that all people may benefit from, and my mission is to contribute to, and be a part of the incredible community dedicated to this work.

Caption: Just a couple of best friends "hanging" out.

[Image Description: Kate as a blonde in a burgundy wool coat, smiling next to the portrait of William Shakespeare painted by John Taylor between 1600 and 1610, hanging in the National Portrait Gallery of London. Shakespeare is wearing a black coat with a white linen collar, and a gold hoop earring.]

WHY I'M DOING THIS: I believe that Folio Technique is the key that unlocks and transforms one's understanding of, facility with, and appreciation for not only Shakespeare, but language and communication in general. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Folio Technique, it is a way of examining Shakespeare's words that identifies and utilizes the poetic devices baked in to the text as a means of informing our acting choices. There are so many wonderful books, videos, and other resources that teach Folio Technique, but from my experience they are primarily designed for teachers, scholars, or actors and come in either book or video form. I want to create something that a) specifically has diverse learners in mind, and b) is designed to be a completely accessible, guided active learning experience that could be used in a classroom setting or at home. My goal is to empower learners of all backgrounds and abilities with the tools to take ownership of Shakespeare's language, and learn on their own terms and at their own pace.
Caption: A screen shot of a sample draft of the online worksheets I'm making to accompany the Folio Technique Videos. The combination of drop-down boxes and fill-in-the-blank text boxes is designed to show the different styles I will be using that will be accessible for both printing out and online learning. All information will be color-coded and graphically organized for maximum readability.

[Image Description: Text reads "We call a unit of two or three syllables a foot (word 'foot' in bold). There are many different kinds of feet:" Image lists the following feet with the corresponding "u" and "/" to indicate the correct order and number of stressed (/) and unstressed (u) syllables. "u's" are in a yellow box and "/'s" are in a green box: Iamb (u /), Trochee (/ u), Spondee (/ /), Pyrrhic (u u), Anapest (u u /), Dactyl (/ u u), Amphibrach ( u / u). A gold box at the bottom of the page lists 6 words with a caption above the box saying "Practice: Name That Foot." The words "Indeed," "Ladybug," and "Nebraska" have drop-down boxes next to them so that students may choose the corresponding foot. The words "Welcome," "Understand," and "Oh No!" have text boxes next to them where students can write in their answers." There is a vintage drawing of a foot in the yellow box. There is a watermark reading "SAMPLE DRAFT" diagonally across the page.] 

WHAT I NEED: Some technical items: a camera, microphone, Adobe Creative Cloud membership (as I plan on doing all my own filming and editing - wish me luck!), a teleprompter, and lights. There are some other expenses like costumes and props, as well as other things that are involved with making this a real brand.

Accessibility is everything to me. This is entirely a labor of profound love, and I really feel strongly about these resources being FREE. However, it really does take a village and I'm going to need some help from that village along the way in order to have the means to keep making this content! That is why I have also set up a Patreon, for those who are able and feel compelled to join the village and continue to support this village idiot on a regular basis. The link to my Patreon his here: My Patreon 

WHEN I NEED IT: The ideal timeframe I would have the funds for these tech items is August 1st. By that time, I will have written all the scripts for my Folio Technique series episodes, and will be ready to start filming!

LADY MCDUFF/PLANS FOR THE FUTURE: In addition to this educational series, I also plan on using this technology to expand my YouTube presence by uploading regular videos that just talk about everything Shakespeare! A *Shakesfluencer* channel, if you will! Thus, the name "Lady McDuff" - it's a combination between my actual name, and, in my opinion, one of the all-time coolest women in Shakespeare: Lady MacDuff. I am envisioning a series that discuss Shakespeare in the Star Trek universe, rating productions and publications of Shakespeare, interviewing actors, directors, and other creatives that work with Shakespeare, fun and silly makeup tutorials, cooking and cocktail demos with friends and colleagues, and even tackling topics like Shakespeare and Critical Race Theory, as well as disability representation in theatre, and so much more.


I love Shakespeare with all my heart and soul and want to spread the good news of Folio Technique far and wide. My grand vision is to make an even broader community around this work, so I thought there’d be no better place to start than here. If there is anything I can clarify about my plans, please let me know! Your input and support would mean the world to me.