Grace Lazarz's Shakespeare Training
Donation protected
Good morrow! Allow me to introduce myself...
My name is Grace Lazarz, and I am raising funds to attend Shakespeare & Company's (Lenox, MA) Summer Training Institute, to which I have recently been accepted. This program is geared towards college students and recent graduates; I graduated from DePauw University in May 2015. Since then, I have spent a year as an AmeriCorps member in South Bend, IN working with the Robinson Shakespeare Company, directing in Shakespeare & Company's Fall Festival of Shakespeare this past fall, and teaching at Shakes & Co's Hayground School residency on Long Island, NY this past December.
Directing at Hayground School
(photo credit: Michael Heller)
WHAT IS THE SUMMER TRAINING INSTITUTE?
In the words of Shakespeare & Company's website the STI "provides young actors the opportunity to immerse themselves in Shakespeare six days a week for four weeks." During these four weeks I will study Shakespearean text, Linklater voice, movement, Elizabethan dance, clown, stage combat, and much more.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Yes, this is an acting training program. But I first and foremost count myself a teacher, and I aim to use this opportunity to better myself as an educator. I am passionate and dedicated to theatre education, specifically Shakespeare. The language is rich, complex, and beautiful. The stories are colossal, fantastic, and tragic. The characters are relatable, funny, and affecting. Take these plays to young people and magic happens.
The work I do with students and Shakespeare is valuable. I have had the privilege to watch students use the tools I offer to rise in so many ways. Whether it's the student who finds a thrilling new intellectual subject, the student who discovers the right words to express a thought or feeling, or the student who makes a highly personal connection to the play, or the student who finally has a group of friends--the anecdotes and benefits are endless.
I want this opportunity to ground myself and shake self-judgements, as well as gain new tools and sharpen old ones. I also want the opportunity to be a student again--to absorb everything I can from these master teachers and bring the knowledge with me wherever I go. I simply see it this way: the more I can improve, the more I can benefit my future students.
A check-in circle at Cloverdale Middle School, with DePauw's Spring Spectacle of Shakespeare.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
I have been fortunate enough to receive a small scholarship to help with the price of the intensive. However, this is unfortunately not enough. I still have $4000 left to cover, and this price will include all expenses for the month-long period. I am going to be substitute teaching in the interim, but even so, I may not be able to raise the entire $4000 by June, so I am attempting to cover some of this price through GoFundMe.
If you are able to help make this experience happen, I would greatly appreciate it. Even the smallest donation or sharing of this link will help me achieve my goal!
Thank you so much for reading this, and for your consideration! I would love to chat about any questions you may have about my goals and/or theatre education as a whole. Peace and love!
Grace Lazarz
My name is Grace Lazarz, and I am raising funds to attend Shakespeare & Company's (Lenox, MA) Summer Training Institute, to which I have recently been accepted. This program is geared towards college students and recent graduates; I graduated from DePauw University in May 2015. Since then, I have spent a year as an AmeriCorps member in South Bend, IN working with the Robinson Shakespeare Company, directing in Shakespeare & Company's Fall Festival of Shakespeare this past fall, and teaching at Shakes & Co's Hayground School residency on Long Island, NY this past December.
Directing at Hayground School (photo credit: Michael Heller)
WHAT IS THE SUMMER TRAINING INSTITUTE?
In the words of Shakespeare & Company's website the STI "provides young actors the opportunity to immerse themselves in Shakespeare six days a week for four weeks." During these four weeks I will study Shakespearean text, Linklater voice, movement, Elizabethan dance, clown, stage combat, and much more.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Yes, this is an acting training program. But I first and foremost count myself a teacher, and I aim to use this opportunity to better myself as an educator. I am passionate and dedicated to theatre education, specifically Shakespeare. The language is rich, complex, and beautiful. The stories are colossal, fantastic, and tragic. The characters are relatable, funny, and affecting. Take these plays to young people and magic happens.
The work I do with students and Shakespeare is valuable. I have had the privilege to watch students use the tools I offer to rise in so many ways. Whether it's the student who finds a thrilling new intellectual subject, the student who discovers the right words to express a thought or feeling, or the student who makes a highly personal connection to the play, or the student who finally has a group of friends--the anecdotes and benefits are endless.
I want this opportunity to ground myself and shake self-judgements, as well as gain new tools and sharpen old ones. I also want the opportunity to be a student again--to absorb everything I can from these master teachers and bring the knowledge with me wherever I go. I simply see it this way: the more I can improve, the more I can benefit my future students.
A check-in circle at Cloverdale Middle School, with DePauw's Spring Spectacle of Shakespeare.HOW CAN YOU HELP?
I have been fortunate enough to receive a small scholarship to help with the price of the intensive. However, this is unfortunately not enough. I still have $4000 left to cover, and this price will include all expenses for the month-long period. I am going to be substitute teaching in the interim, but even so, I may not be able to raise the entire $4000 by June, so I am attempting to cover some of this price through GoFundMe.
If you are able to help make this experience happen, I would greatly appreciate it. Even the smallest donation or sharing of this link will help me achieve my goal!
Thank you so much for reading this, and for your consideration! I would love to chat about any questions you may have about my goals and/or theatre education as a whole. Peace and love!
Grace Lazarz
Organiser
Grace Lazarz
Organiser
West Lafayette, IN