In partnership with the Foyle Foundation
Research into using rehearsal room approaches has shown positive effects on how young people engage with Shakespeare, as well as improvements in vocabulary and problem solving, and, crucially, an increase in young people's enjoyment of learning.
Our playful and engaging ways of working help young people analyse, interrogate and make meaning from texts. We scaffold learning by gradually increasing the complexity of the language being explored, starting with a word or a line and building to whole speeches and scenes.
Our approaches amplify the views and opinions of children and young people and can ignite a love of language and literature in learners of all backgrounds and abilities.
In this guide, we'll look at how rehearsal room approaches to Shakespeare can unlock the potential of every learner.
###What are rehearsal room approaches to Shakespeare? There are direct parallels between teaching and learning in the classroom and the way that plays are developed in the theatre. The process of rehearsing a play is collaborative. As a group, the actors and director will make choices about the interpretation of plot, characters, themes and language of the play. They also explore the key themes and dilemmas that are present in the text.
Rehearsal room approaches focus on:
- Establishing the world in which the story is taking place.
- Telling the story.
- Discovering the characters.
- Exploring the language.
###How will rehearsal room approaches benefit my students? Rehearsal room approaches can help students of all ages and abilities unlock Shakespeare's language.
This way of working can produce sophisticated analytical responses, both verbal and written, challenging the most able learners as well as motivating the most reluctant.
We've found that using techniques from our rehearsal room has many other remarkable results:
- Improved experiences of, and opinions about, Shakespeare.
- Directly impacts on attitudes to learning and school in general.
- Improves student confidence.
- Develops language ability.
- Helps young people to express themselves and their ideas more clearly.
###What's the evidence? Time To Act is a new major research study exploring the difference that Shakespeare’s work and RSC teaching approaches make to the language development and social and emotional development of children and young people.
The findings from a study in 2023 show positive impacts and contribute new insights into the difference that engagement with the arts and cultural education has on their lives.
Find out more about Time to Act.