Bay Colony Shakespeare Company to Bring the Bard to Schools in MA

The Bay Colony Shakespeare Company (BCSC), the fastest-growing professional theater company on the South Shore of Massachusetts, continues its efforts to bring Shakespeare to students across the Commonwealth.

During the fall semester, BCSC will present 90-minute versions of Macbeth and Twelfth Night as part of its Performance In Education program. In the Spring, Hamlet will be added to the repertoire. All the performances are designed to make Shakespeare and other classical works accessible to students in both public and private schools.

It's no secret - The first introduction to Shakespeare can be tough. BCSC overcomes this challenge by providing study materials and directorial notes about each production in advance. Following the performance, the cast of the show participates in a discussion with the students about the work presented.

"We are thrilled to once again bring the work of William Shakespeare to schools across Massachusetts," said BCSC Executive Director, Eric Joseph. "The work of Shakespeare is timeless and even today, his writings remain relevant. We are proud to be a part of bringing these works to our schools, allowing students to learn about the greatest stories of the ages."

The BCSC troupe is comprised of seasoned, professional actors, many who have performed these works in the past and have a deep understanding of the work of Shakespeare.

MacBeth will be performed by Stewart EVan Smith, a Boston-based actor who has worked with numerous theatre companies, including Priscilla Beach Theatre, Wheelock Family Theatre, and Weston Playhouse. Smith will also be performing as Orsino and Aguecheek in Twelfth Night. Liz Michael Hartford, who hails from the Bay Colony and is now a Boston-based actress, educator, and kid entertainer will be performing as Lady MacBeth as well as Feste in Twelfth Night. Kira Patterson will take the stage as Ross in MacBeth and Viola in Twelfth Night. Patterson is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and since coming to Boston, she has earned her degree in Drama and Psychology from Tufts University.

Additionally, Lydia Barnett-Mulligan will be the director of BCSC's Twelfth Night. Barnett-Mulligan has performed with a number of theater companies throughout Eastern, MA and holds a B.A. with Honors in Theatre and English from Williams College.

In addition to the Performance in Education program, BCSC offers workshops for faculty focused on ways to make the study of Shakespeare's work more instinctive and emotional, rather than intellectual, in the classroom. BCSC also offers a series of student workshops for emerging thespians, providing opportunities to study scenes and receive monologue coaching.

Finally, BCSC will be offering "The Adventures of Bottom," a mash-up of Shakespeare comedies for schools, beginning in February 2017. This 30-45 minute program is performed by three actors and will include selections from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like it. This program can be used as a fundraising program for local schools.

The Bay Colony Shakespeare Company is now booking their educational tour of MacBeth and Twelfth Night. BCSC also will be offering performances of Hamlet, beginning January 1, 2017. For more information, visit www.baycolonyshakespeare.org.

Founded in 2013, the 501c3 organization's mission is to produce dynamic, engaging, and inspirational productions for people of all ages, backgrounds and communities.

BCSC is dedicated to bringing the greatest stories of the ages to the people. Our vibrant and vivid productions reflect the rich tapestry of life, with the hope that audiences will walk away from our work inspired and invigorated. No matter whatever and wherever they come from, they will leave our productions a little wiser, kinder, braver and more hopeful in the challenges to come. Our belief is grounded in the idea that all parts equal the whole - from our actors, directors, crew and designers, to all of our audiences. Furthermore, we believe that the company is truly one being, dedicated to the growth of us all through the transformative powers of experiencing the works of the world's greatest authors.

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