MADISON , NJ —The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will host teachers and students in grades 5 through 12 from across the state for a full day highlighting and celebrating the study of Shakespeare through performance on April 26 at The Theatre's Main Stage – the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison . This new initiative, Shakesperience:NJ , represents an opportunity for middle and high school students to spend an entire day sharing the excitement of Shakespeare as actors and audience members. Each group of students will take the Main Stage at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre to present a 20-minute Shakespeare scene to an audience of their peers, teachers, parents and professional actors from The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey who will serve as commentators. For more information about Shakesperience:NJ , call 973-408-3980 or e-mail jbgrant@ShakespeareNJ.org.

Shakesperience:NJ is the product of a new partnership between The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Rider University and the world-renowned Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington , D.C. The Folger Festivals Project was launched in 1986 as a national outreach initiative to extend the reach of the Library's teaching philosophy and to inspire student Shakespeare festivals across the nation. The Shakespeare Theatre and Rider University were chosen by the Folger Shakespeare Library to establish the statewide festival in New Jersey – an expansion of the Project to coincide with the Folger's 75 th Anniversary. Two festival sites will ensure that schools from across New Jersey can take part in Shakesperience:NJ . The second festival event will be held at Rider University on May 23, with an emphasis on schools from the southern half of the state. Funding for the 2007 Shakesperience:NJ is made possible a generous seed grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

Shakesperience:NJ represents the first step in the creation of a national model for statewide student Shakespeare festivals based on the highly successful student Shakespeare festival at the Folger Shakespeare Library. The institutions partnering to launch Shakesperience:NJ share a common mission of promoting the teaching of Shakespeare through performance, which has long been recognized to be the most effective and exciting way to introduce young people to Shakespeare's plays. Performance-based instruction heightens student interest and increases creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Through numerous classes and workshops with teachers and students, this philosophy has been introduced in schools throughout the state. The creation of a statewide student festival is intended to showcase the results of this performance-based learning, and to encourage more schools and teachers to make performance a key component of the language arts classroom.

The program enables young people to come together with their peers from diverse backgrounds to celebrate their shared achievements in the study of English literature. The Folger Shakespeare Library has found that student festivals provide important structure and closure to performance-based study, instilling in students pride and a sense of ownership over their own learning. The Shakesperience:NJ Festival is designed to be an educational experience, not a drama competition. Students will have the option of receiving feedback from professional commentators, but the focus of each day is on Shakespeare's works and the creativity and variety of student interpretations.

Participating in Shakesperience:NJ

Schools scheduled to participate in Shakesperience:NJ at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey include Summit High School , Middletown High School North, Hillsborough Middle School , Newark Tech High School , Faith Hope Love Academy in Belle Mead, Montville Township High School , The Purnell School in Pottersville and Merely Shakespeare Players in Princeton .

Following the performances, a workshop in stage combat in Shakespeare and the weaponry of Shakespeare will be held for all students. The day ends with the presentation of prizes for moments of excellence.

For more information about Shakesperience:NJ , call 973-408-3980 or e-mail jbgrant@ShakespeareNJ.org.

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The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey 's only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additional major support is received from The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the F. M. Kirby Foundation, The Edward T. Cone Foundation, The Shubert Foundation and Drew University , as well as contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, government agencies and individuals.  American Airlines is the official airline of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Crystal Rock Water is the company's official water provider. Barefoot Wine is the official wine provider.