BSSF Hosts Drama Workshop With Sonnet Man
The Bermuda Shakespeare Schools Festival [BSSF] is getting set to host a drama workshop for Bermuda students beginning today [Feb 2] and running through February 5, 2015. The workshop will feature teacher and musician Devon Glover, also known as Sonnetman.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Shakespeare Schools Festival is excited about its drama workshop for Bermuda students; Sonnetman is coming. Imagine Shakespeare’s sonnets in rap.
“Devon Glover, a teacher and musician, performs Shakespeare’s sonnets as originally written, then breaks them down in spoken word to a rich musical background of R&B, blues and jazz. Over the past four years, he has presented shows and workshops to thousands of students in the US, Canada and UK.
“His notable appearances include The Today Show, Melissa Perry-Harris Show, Stratford-Upon-Avon in England, The Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, among others. He was recently honoured to be the winner of the LA Times Festival of Books Inspirational Poetry Award.
“TheaterMania hailed the Sonnetman as “the way to inspire a new generation of Shakespeare lovers. For more information, visit his website.
“The 2014 Bermuda Shakespeare Schools Festival was performed as a ‘road show,’ after performances were cancelled due to Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo. Participants from six public and private high schools will receive a half day workshop with Mr. Glover at their respective school.
“In addition to the workshop for the BSSF participants, 50 students from almost every middle school will have a workshop experience with Mr. Glover.
“Since Shakespeare’s plays are part of the GCSE curriculum, the Festival complements the school GCSE requirements by giving students a better understanding and appreciation of the works.”
Sonnetman, who will join BSSF workshops, performs:
“The Bermuda BSSF festival, which premiered in 2008, is patterned after the UK Shakespeare Schools Festival, and students from local high schools have enthusiastically participated in this now annual event.
“Participating schools have included Bermuda High School, Berkeley Institute, Bermuda Institute, CedarBridge Academy, Somersfield Academy, Saltus Grammar School, Warwick Academy, and Bermuda College in the premier year.
“BSSF Workshops allow the students who have participated in BSSF’s Festival and also Middle School students and their drama teachers an opportunity to access the expertise of professional theatre groups that would otherwise not be funded through the local education system.
“The workshop Drama professionals have come from Pivotal Theatre and Frantic Assembly [UK], Stage Door Manor [NY] and Shaw Festival [Niagara on the Lake, Canada].
“Up to 150 high school students receive a half or full day workshop. Fifty middle school students [5 from each school] receive a half day workshop. Further, Festival drama teachers are able to earn professional development credit by their involvement in these workshops and by attending a specialist seminar with the workshop leader.
“BSSF Scholarships are offered to students for college programmes in dramatic arts or for drama camps. The scholarships are meant to promote and to support further education in the dramatic arts. They are specifically offered to students who have participated in the Festival and are offered annually.
“The BSSF organisation is a registered charity in good standing. Annual budgets are prepared and annual unaudited financial statements are submitted to the Registrar General.”
The BSSF has an established volunteer steering/executive committee that meets regularly, including Conchita Ming, Chairman; Annarita Marion, Treasurer; Jo Shane, Drama Facilitator; and Stephanie Lee, Social Media Coordinator.
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