Kids Play Shakespeare: An Interview with Orlando from As You Like It
Orlando and Touchstone, two of the kid Players in ImprovEd Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” sit down for a chat.
Touchstone: “So, Orlando, do you have a couple of minutes to tell us about your acting experience?”
Orlando: “Yes, I have a few minutes. What are the questions?”
Touchstone: “What is your favorite character that you’ve ever played?”
Orlando: “Dang, they’re all so fun. It’s hard to pick a favorite character. But, if I had to pick, I would say Petruchio. He’s awesome!”
Touchstone: “And which play was he from?”
Orlando: “Taming of the Shrew.”
Touchstone: “And why do you like him?”
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Orlando: “That’s obvious. He’s the funniest guy I’ve ever played!”
Touchstone: “So, he was the Fool?”
Orlando: “No, of course, not. He was the main character, not the Fool. He was a little crazy.”
Touchstone: “Is Taming of the Shrew a comedy or a tragedy?”
Orlando: “Comedy, definitely. Gosh, just watch it.”
Touchstone: “No, that’s why I’m asking you these questions. Why is Taming of the Shrew, a comedy?
Orlando: “I guess it’s a comedy because no one dies. Also, there’s a lot of funny scenes. Sort of ancient comedy, it’s hard to understand.”
Touchstone: “What Shakespeare isn’t hard to understand?”
Orlando: “No kidding!”
Kids Play Shakespeare: An Interview with Orlando from As You Like It
Touchstone: “When you got your character for ‘As You Like It’ what did you think?”
Orlando: “I was like, “YES!” Because I didn’t get Silvius. He’s too lovely for me.
Touchstone: “I totally understand.”
Orlando: “OK, my few minutes are up. Can I leave now?”
Touchstone: “One more question.”
Orlando: “Ugh. OK, sure. What is it?”
Touchstone: “What was the worst costume you ever wore?”
Orlando: “There was this one time I had to wear a substitute costume when I was playing King Guytrude in Hamlet. It was horrible. Like a golden trench coat with super baggy pants and Doc Martens. GAG.”
Touchstone: “Heh heh. OK, bye!”
Orlando: “FREEDOOOOOM!”
Touchstone: “That’s his signature yell. That’s all for now, folks!”
Touchstone is a twelve-year-old girl living in Austin, TX. She’s active in soccer, martial arts, and loves to perform! Her favorite role was Portia from Merchant of Venice.
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SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL
Working with Shakespeare in education frightens many. Because Shakespeare experts, including professionals, surround us. Escaping them is difficult. This can be intimidating. Thus, feelings of dread usually accompany the act of presenting, but moreover be introduced to, the Bard.
For this reason, ImprovEd Shakespeare is here to help. Founder and Director, Andee Kinzy, offers the layman’s approach to Shakespeare.
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SHAKESPEARE FOR TEACHERS AND DIRECTORS
If you’re an English teacher, a theatre director, or a well-trained Shakespeare advocate, here you will find inspiration, as well as techniques, for making our favorite bard fun for Kids. Accordingly, we present old, new and improved ideas for introducing Shakespeare to youth for the non-Shakespeare-academic. Among them, we include theatre games, improvisation, tips, tricks, plus activities for using Shakespeare in education.
SHAKESPEARE FOR KIDS
Since 2011, ImprovEd Shakespeare has been exploring the Bard with youth through theatrical performance. Our signature scripts are a mix of modern narration plus original Shakespeare verse. With a focus on the story, including an abbreviated script length, our productions entertain all ages. Moreover, our catalog goes beyond the oft-used Midsummer Night’s Dream, or Romeo and Juliet. We’ve discovered that young people find much to their delight among many of Shakespeare’s works. Consider subscribing to our YouTube channel for family-friendly Shakespeare videos.
PERFORMANCES
Each fall and spring, ImprovEd Shakespeare develops a new production for live performance. In honor of the traditional Renaissance traveling troupe, during a period of a few weeks, we present Kid-friendly plays at various venues around town. Our Players, between 3rd-11th grade, gear themselves with playful, as well as engaging interpretations of works by the Bard of Avon. Suitable for all ages, each performance runs for about an hour.
Furthermore, these shows are always FREE. However, we gladly accept Donations! Additionally, visit ImprovEd Shakespeare, Shakespeare for Kids by Kids on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. And don’t forget to click on our BLOG for the stories behind these videos.
