Shakespeare In Action

Alison “Other New Intern” Dowling

Hello everyone!

I’m new (sort of) to Shakespeare in Action and excited to get on board with the Admin & Production Interns!! I was first introduced to SIA as a summer camp intern back in 2009 and so I’m eager to be back for more!

I’ve been passionate about theatre since I was little; acting in community theatre, taking extra-curricular classes and attending Rosedale Heights School of the Arts and the University College Drama Program at U of T. My love really started with Shakespeare though, and the Dream in High Park. I was six-years-old and totally mesmerized…I wanted to be on that stage so badly!

Currently though, the countdown is on and I’m soon-to-be a graduate of the University of Toronto. The past four years have been incredible, learning and challenging myself as an actor, as well as having the opportunity to delve a bit into production and design. Now? I’m not entirely sure, but here I am at SIA to learn a little bit more about the ins and outs of a Toronto (Shakespeare!!) theatre company!

Interesting side notes: I love kickboxing,  I spent a month last summer at Oxford University taking a Shakespeare course and I currently  work at an ice cream store (Ed’s Real Scoop!)

Picture soon to come!

Macey “New Intern” Cohen

Hola!

I am one of the new recruits at Shakespeare in Action. I’m unsure of what to expect, but I am certainly excited.

I was a theatre kid growing up and spent weekends and summers at Young People’s Theatre, writing and acting in the productions in the basement and stairwell of what is now the Hummingbird Centre. After years passed I became shy and the stage became too big of a place, and my new goal as an adolescent transitioned to the desire to absorb all literature I could, which I did voraciously.   But! It wasn’t until university when I began studying history and the history of contemporary thought that Shakespeare made sense and theatre again became a love. And here I am! Excited to be involved in a theatre focused on Shakespeare that functions as a registered charity: 3 things I am terribly interested in.

This is me in Guatemala, after I hitched a ride from the west coast of Mexico and sent all my loved ones into dismal panic when I told them I’d crossed the boarder in a strangers car. I’d suggest doing this anytime you can.  

               Ciao! Macey

Happy Valentine’s Day from Shakespeare in Action

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all. Remember, there is more to this day than cards and chocolate. Take the time to show someone in your life that you care about them. Struggling for a last minute gift? You can always send a wonderful Sonnet read by a wonderful kid!: http://www.shakespeareinaction.org/sonnets-by-kids

Take a cue from some great Shakespearean lovers:

Be like Ferdinand and carry heavy logs to win her father’s affection.

Or be like Viola and dress as a man in order to help the one you love win the other woman he loves……

Well, maybe Shakespeare is not the paragon of great comic lovers! But the message is: show him/her that you care, that they’re special, and that Valentine’s Day should not be an isolated event.

Valeo!

Featured Intern: Martha Harbell

Hi everyone!

My name is Martha Harbell and I am one of the new production and administration interns at Shakespeare in Action. I was born and raised in Toronto, but I’ve just come home after spending many years away completing a BA in English and Early Modern Studies at the University of King’s College and Dalhousie, and an MA in English at the University of Victoria.

My favourite Shakespeare memories include playing Sebastian in Twelfth Night when I was in grade seven, seeing Hamlet performed at Stratford, and stage-managing a production of Much Ado About Nothing at King’s. I’m sure this list will grow dramatically after some time at Shakespeare in Action.

I am really excited about all the possibilities created by the combination of performance and learning and I really want to work in theatre education someday so I am thrilled at the chance to get involved with Shakespeare in Action to learn more!

Featured Intern: Alex Benarzi

“This castle hath a pleasant seat…” This line, spoken by Duncan in Macbeth, may not seem like much. It is no “to be or not to be” or “all the world’s a stage” but it has a special significance for me. It was back in elementary school where a shorter, younger me stood on a small stage in front of a small crowd, in a paper crown painted gold: my first Shakespeare play and I was Duncan. It was a reduced version of the play, and thus I only had three lines before I was ushered off stage and met my bloody end – but it was enough. The following year I discovered Hamlet and my love of Shakespeare increased all the more.

It was not only my love of Shakespeare that was spurred on by this experience, but my appreciation for English as a subject and a passion for the theatre. So is it no wonder that ten years later I find myself a certified English teacher who still tries to lap up theatre wherever it can be found. Hence my enthusiasm of being an Intern here at Shakespeare in Action.

What else can I say? My life is consumed by books, writing, acting, and music (both listening to and playing). I am passionate about the arts, both its function in a community and its importance in schools. I am passionate about teaching; helping students connect with the material in ways that make sense and are applicable.

And I am fond of the absurd or inane. I’m sure I will find a good photo at some point to illustrate this.

There is more I can say, but in the altered words of the Bard: “what here shall miss [your comments] shall strive to mend.” So if you desire to know anything about me, whoso’ere you may be, either now or as I enter my inanity into the threads of this blog, simply leave a comment below and I shall answer as I can.

And so,  for now, adieu, lords and ladies all.

Featured Intern: Maggie

Hey everyone!

My name is Maggie, and I’m a production and administration intern at Shakespeare in Action.  I’m a  theatre studies grad, and a French Immersion kindergarten teacher with the TDSB (which makes me an expert in shoe tying!).

I’ve been working with SIA since September, after deciding that I needed to find a way to combine my love of teaching with my passion for the arts. I couldn’t have found a better match. Currently, I’m translating teacher resources into French; we are really excited to be able to offer study guides in both English and French for our upcoming performances!

I’m excited to spend the year with such a great group of people, at such an amazing organization! Looking forward to seeing all of you at the public performances this month!!!