SVS Traveling Academy

Are you an educator, school administrator, or PTA member seeking opportunities to bring experiential arts education into your school? Are your students eager to perform on stage? Are staffing and budget limitations keeping you from offering as many arts-based enrichment programs as you’d like? SVS Traveling Academy is here to help!

We keep the Shakespearean fun going throughout the school year by providing a variety of on-site programs for area schools, designed to meet the specific needs of Silicon Valley youth with an interest in the performing arts. From Grade 1 to Grade 12, we create enrichment programs for young people to explore the wonder of performance and poetry in a supportive, interactive environment. Check out our current offerings below!

For bookings or inquiries, contact SVS Education Manager Kristin Hall.

Shakes30 Assembly Performances (Grades 6–12)

SVS will bring a 30-minute, thoughtfully cut version of a Shakespeare play into your school, performed by only two (yep, two) actors…with some help from your students, of course! These interactive, high-energy performances encourage students to become participants in the production and in storytelling through Shakespeare’s language. Followed by a 10-15 minute Q&A session. Total program length 45 minutes. Requires an auditorium, cafeteria, or other performance space.

Currently Offering: Shakes30: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Pricing Per Performance: $625. Special discount: $1,600 for three performances. No more than three performances may be booked for one day. Limited financial assistance is available to schools with need.

 

Speak the Speech Workshops (Grades 3–12)

In these 45-minute workshops, students familiarize themselves with the plot of one of Shakespeare’s plays as they speak Shakespeare’s language. As our artists scaffold familiarity with Shakespeare’s language for your students, those students will find themselves up on their feet for a Shakespeare-based theater game, then have a “drama off” using Shakespearean text, then will perform an interactive version of the play’s story in which student volunteers speak lines and scenes from the play. 

Requires an open, indoor space (a classroom, a cafeteria or gym, etc.). Students should be prepared for some movement.

Price Per Workshop: $275 for up to 35 kids.

 

Shakespeare Storytime! (Grades 1–2)

Shakespeare can be for little ones, too! This 30-minute storytime program will focus on one story from a Shakespeare play, relating that story to a theme based either upon socioemotional learning concepts or Shakespeare’s own story sources. Storytime programs involve an interactive warmup, rhymes, a picture book adaptation of the chosen Shakespeare play, and two to three additional picture books related to the storytime’s theme.

Currently Offering:

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Bullying

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Fairy Folklore

  • The Tempest and Apologies

Price Per Storytime: $225. Two back-to-back storytimes: $275

 

Mechanicals Stagecraft Workshops (Grades 9–12)

So many skills go into creating a theatre production! Your students can learn these specific skills from our professional artists during one-hour workshops focused on one element of stagecraft. Our customizable school-day workshops come to your classroom and are designed to either enhance your existing curriculum or to stand alone as an engaging, hands-on experience.

Currently Offering:

  • Mechanicals Stage Combat Workshop: $275

  • Mechanicals Stage Makeup Workshop: $275

  • Mechanicals Improv Workshop: $225

  • Mechanicals Playwriting Workshop: $225

  • Mechanicals Scene/Monologue Coaching: $225

Requires an open indoor space (classroom, cafeteria, or gym).

Students should be prepared for some movement.

No more than 35 students per workshop.

 

SVS In-school Residence (Grades 3–12)

Craving more Shakespeare than a one-hour workshop or assembly performance can provide? Not to worry! SVS currently offers afterschool performance residencies that introduce students to a variety of theatrical arts that can include acting, stage combat, makeup, Shakespearean music and dance, and more. Every residency emphasizes ensemble building, encouraging students to work together to build a final performance or showcase. Our scalable residency model can range from one to six weeks.

For pricing and more information, email SVS Education Manager Kristin Hall:

 

What People Are Saying

“Drew was awesome! I really enjoyed his enthusiasm and ability to relate to the students. He kept them engaged and the things he taught, the students are practicing for their performance! They keep saying, “No, it’s supposed to be ‘Duth’ not ‘Doth’” or things like that and I know it comes from his workshop.”

DB / Drama Teacher
Cupertino Middle School

“We have done two 3-hour workshops in the past and that seems to be the optimal time to whip us in shape for our Romeo and Juliet production! It’s amazing how your instructor, Tom, keeps them engaged and occupied and learning for that long, but he does! He was able to get this year’s somewhat subdued class giggling and coming out of their shells!”

Drama Instructor
French-American School of Silicon Valley

“Your instructors did an amazing job. I was very impressed by the material and how well it was presented. All the students enjoyed the experience and had nothing but positive comments about the instructors and the experience as a whole. Thank you so much!”

Mrs. Kelsey
Canyon Heights Academy

Education Manager

KRISTIN HALL

Kristin's journey as a Shakespeare educator began in 2008 when she began training with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company. Past roles with SVS include Puck in Midsummer and Earine in Sherwood. She holds an M.A. in Shakespeare Studies from the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and a Master of Library and Information Science degree with a youth studies specialization from San José State University.