Chicago Shakespeare Theater to Present CPS SHAKESPEARE! OTHELLO, 11/1-2

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), a partner in literacy with Chicago Public Schools, presents CPS Shakespeare! Othello. A citywide ensemble of 28 students and teachers from eleven CPS high schools will perform Shakespeare with professionally designed period costumes, sets and lights on the Chicago Shakespeare stage. Working under the guidance of renowned New York director Kirsten Kelly, the ensemble members will use their personal perspectives to interpret Shakespeare's story of passion, jealousy, and the ultimate consequences of vengeance.

Participating schools include: Al Raby High School (3545 W. Fulton), Alcott High School for the Humanities (2957 N. Hoyne), Austin Polytechnical Academy (231 N. Pine), Benito Juarez Community Academy (1450 W. Cermak), Curie Metropolitan High School (4959 S. Archer), Gage Park High School(5630 S. Rockwell), Hubbard High School (6200 S. Hamlin), Mather High School (5835 N. Lincoln), Multicultural Academy of Scholarship (3120 S. Kostner), Perspectives Charter-IIT Math and Science (3663 S. Wabash), and Prosser Career Academy High School (2148 N. Long).

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
REHEARSAL PROCESS
Monday-Friday September 30 - October 31 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

PERFORMANCES
Friday, November 1 at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 2 at 10:30 a.m.
At the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier (800 E. Grand Avenue)

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents CPS Shakespeare! Othello, an innovative program that exemplifies CST's role as a partner in literacy with Chicago Public Schools for more than two decades.

This year marks the eighth annual production of CPS Shakespeare! at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, recipient of the Folger Shakespeare Library's Shakespeare Steward Award . Each year, this transformational program invites CPS students and teachers from across the city out of the classroom and into the rehearsal room to create an original Shakespeare production. Students work alongside their teachers in a five week intensive rehearsal process, all under the guidance of a team of professional CST artists, culminating in two performances in CST's Courtyard Theater. The program develops students' literacy skills as it builds confidence, and empowers our city's teens to approach life's challenges with bravery and self-assurance.

Teachers who participate in CPS Shakespeare! are alumni of Bard Core training, a professional development seminar offered annually to CPS teachers, exploring how the skills of theater practitioners can support best practices in literacy, and offer practical reading strategies and exercises for CPS students.

Tickets are $5 and may be purchased by calling CST's Box Office at 312.595.5600. For more information on CPS Shakespeare!, check outwww.chicagoshakes.com/cpsshakespeare.