Clairbourn’s Shakespeare Play: A 1920s Take on Twelfth Night
Nancy Ward
Clairbourn’s school community was treated to an unforgettable production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night performed by Clairbourn 6th-8th grade students in early March. This crowd-pleasing show took place in an Old Globe Theater setting, constructed in the school’s gymnasium. Over three consecutive show dates, the production featured a variety of humorous antics, stage fighting, great costumes, original music and stand-out performances. It is noteworthy that this unabridged, unedited production was offered by young people between the ages of eleven and fourteen.
The Roaring Twenties setting dazzled the audience with its costuming and jazzy tunes. Singing, live student accompaniment, dancing and action sequences—for instance, the comic boxing match—appealed to first grade students on up to adults. The young students who attended sat in the “groundlings” section where they were right on top of the action and thrills.
Isabel C. as "Viola-a shipwrecked traveller" speaks with the "Sea Captain" played by Mikey F. while "Sailor" Dylan W. looks on.
Clairbourn’s English teacher Janet Taylor provides an academic foundation for the production. Well before auditions occur, students learn the storyline and character relationships in English classes, and work through the meaning of unfamiliar words and terms.
By the time the student-actors face their first show date, they have a good understanding of their lines (including some elements of rhetorical structure), and they have the tools to bring their performances to life with the humor and wit required of a Shakespearean comedy.
Under the creative and inspired direction of Clairbourn School’s drama teachers Paul and Cara Barker, students in this year’s Shakespeare play elective learned about stagecraft, key elements of acting and the art of showmanship. Teacher Cara Barker explains, “It is also noteworthy that this play, while not a musical, showcased multiple musical talents. Students were playing and singing 1920s-style songs that I adapted or wrote for the show. The students did not have microphones, so they learned to project their voices in true musical-theater style.”
William L., Isabel C., Matthew R., and Jay C. act out a scene where "Viola" and "Sir Andrew Aguecheek" are tricked into having a boxing match by "Fabian" and "Sir Toby Belch."
With so much going on in these multi-faceted learning activities, the transformational effects on the participating students is profound. Clairbourn staff, faculty, parents and friends are continuously impressed with how these new student-actors gain self-confidence, develop creative expression, and wow an audience with their budding talents.
Kennedy K. plays "Feste-an entertainer" who sings and dances while Matthew R. as "Sir Andrew Aguecheek" and Jay C. as "Sir Toby Belch" relax at the club.
Clairbourn's cast of Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night. First row, left to right: drama teacher Cara Barker, Jake T. "Curio-musician at the club", Anthony C. "Sailor", Dylan W. "Sailor", Mikey F. "Sea Captain", Jake J. "Valentine- employee of the club", William L. "Fabian-friend of Sir Toby", and drama teacher Paul Barker. Second row, left to right: Isabel C. "Viola-a shipwrecked traveler", Brian X. "Antonio-friend to Sebastian", and Matthew C. "Sebastian-twin brother to Viola". Third row, left to right: Matthew R. "Sir Andrew Aguecheek-friend to Sir Toby", Samantha F. "Employee of the tearoom", Alicia W. "Employee of the tearoom", Kevin Z. "Duke Orsino-nightclub owner and band leader", Chelsea C. "Countess Olivia-owner of a tearoom", Estella B. "Maria-secretary to Olivia", Branden O. "Priest", Piper K. "Police Officer", Kennedy K. "Feste-an entertainer", Isabel H. "Police Officer", Jay C. "Sir Toby Belch-cousin to Olivia", and Austin H. "Malvolio-manager of the tearoom.
Part 1 of the full performance of Twelfth Night.Part 2 of the full performance of Twelfth Night.
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