This morning, the Harrison High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) was alive with the wit and drama of the Bard! Students were treated to a hilarious and fast-paced assembly: "The Shakespeare Show." The event was coordinated by HHS oral communications and drama teacher, Rebecca Dixon to provide students with a unique, professional theatrical experience designed to enhance their comprehension of classic literature.
The assembly featured a talented professional touring troupe from TheatreSquared, a company based in Fayetteville, AR. The performance was a dynamic, condensed production designed to introduce students to the major tragedies of William Shakespeare.
The premise of the performance was simple - three actors and their stage manager, all dedicated Shakespeare lovers, were tasked with introducing all of the Bard's major tragedies to the student body. The catch? To introduce all of the major tragedies, the show would need eight hours, but they only had 45 minutes on the clock!
This challenge resulted in an energetic and comedic rush to cover the epic plots, the greatest fights, and—of course—the legendary death scenes, making the often-intimidating language and stories of Shakespeare accessible and genuinely funny. The performance even included audience participation!
TheatreSquared’s In-School Tour is a vital part of their education outreach program, traveling to junior and high schools across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. This generous initiative provides the 45-minute performance, coupled with talkbacks and workshops, all at no cost to the schools. This is made possible through support from Simmons Foods, the Windgate Foundation, the Arkansas Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
HHS teacher Rebecca Dixon championed the visit, emphasizing the value of seeing the plays performed live. "When I saw that it was a Shakespeare show, I knew I wanted my theatre kids to attend," Dixon said. "It's always helpful to see Shakespeare live—it makes it more accessible and helps students understand the language."
