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Elizabeth Harelik Dissertation.pdf (3.72 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Shrews, Moneylenders, Soldiers, and Moors: Tackling Challenging Issues in Shakespeare for Young Audiences

Harelik, Elizabeth A
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461187189

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Theatre.
Shakespeare's plays are often a staple of the secondary school curriculum, and, more and more, theatre artists and educators are introducing young people to his works through performance. While these performances offer an engaging way for students to access these complex texts, they also often bring up topics and themes that might be challenging to discuss with young people. To give just a few examples, The Taming of the Shrew contains blatant sexism and gender violence; The Merchant of Venice features a multitude of anti-Semitic slurs; Othello shows characters displaying overtly racist attitudes towards its title character; and Henry V has several scenes of wartime violence. These themes are important, timely, and crucial to discuss with young people, but how can directors, actors, and teachers use Shakespeare's work as a springboard to begin these conversations? In this research project, I explore twenty-first century productions of the four plays mentioned above. All of the productions studied were done in the United States by professional or university companies, either for young audiences or with young people as performers. I look at the various ways that practitioners have adapted these plays, from abridgments that retain basic plot points but reduce running time, to versions incorporating significant audience participation, to reimaginings created by or with student performers. I also examine programming that occurs alongside productions, such as pre or post-show workshops and post-show discussions. I conclude by offering a collection of best practices, gleaned both from my study of these individual productions and from research in fields like applied theatre and educational theory.
Lesley Ferris (Advisor)
Jennifer Schlueter (Committee Member)
Shilarna Stokes (Committee Member)
Robin Post (Committee Member)
381 p.
Education; Theater
Theatre; Shakespeare; Theatre for young audiences; The Taming of the Shrew; Othello; Merchant of Venice; Henry V; Shakespeare for young audiences; Teaching challenging issues; Education

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Harelik, E. A. (2016). Shrews, Moneylenders, Soldiers, and Moors: Tackling Challenging Issues in Shakespeare for Young Audiences [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461187189

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Harelik, Elizabeth. Shrews, Moneylenders, Soldiers, and Moors: Tackling Challenging Issues in Shakespeare for Young Audiences. 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461187189.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Harelik, Elizabeth. "Shrews, Moneylenders, Soldiers, and Moors: Tackling Challenging Issues in Shakespeare for Young Audiences." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461187189

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1461187189
565
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.