SFSTL Education Tour 2008 production of Me & Richard 3 wins Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Theatre for Young Audiences
March 30, 2009: Shakespeare Festival St. Louis received the Professional Theatre Awards Council’s Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Theatre for Young Audiences for its Education Tour 2008 production Me & Richard 3. The original play for young audiences was inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of King Richard the Third, and was written by Festival Education Director Christopher Limber and directed by Jennifer Marissa Bock. In the 50-minute production, three high school friends audition for roles in their school’s spring production of Richard III. Stuttering sophomore Reggie wants not only the lead but the girl, and with the help of Shakespeare’s title character, he just might succeed.
The Festival’s other 2008 Education Tour production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream…in the Wink of an Eye!, was also honored with a Kevin Kline nomination. Performed by five professional actor/educators, the plays toured in repertory to 118 schools and community venues. Each year, from February through May, the Festival takes Shakespeare on the road, reaching more than 25,000 young people with its Education Tour productions.
Education Tour 2008 was sponsored by Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield. Additional funding for the Festival’s 2008 Education Programs came from the Missouri Arts Council, Regional Arts Commission and Arts and Education Council.
Throughout the year, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis provides a variety of resources for students and teachers to explore Shakespeare. The Education Department mission is to deepen our community’s understanding, appreciation and connection to Shakespeare. Three main areas of programming: Education Tour, School Programs and Community Partnerships offer students of all ages opportunities to study, explore and view Shakespeare through performance. Since 2001, the Education Tour has introduced the Bard to more than 168,000 students. Learners of all ages discover the works of William Shakespeare through performances artfully adapted for young audiences.
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