Shakesperience:NJ
Our Student Shakespeare Festival is Back!
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Shakesperience:NJ, a non-competitive forum for students in grades 5–12, is a fantastic opportunity for students to spend an entire day engaging in live Shakespeare, as actors and as audience members.
This event is hosted and facilitated by the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's professional staff and artists.
Shakesperience:NJ was launched in 2007 based on the belief that one of the best ways to enjoy and understand Shakespeare is to perform the plays yourself. Collaborating with classmates to explore Shakespeare’s language and sharing that experience with students from different schools and backgrounds is of immense educational value.
A typical day at Shakesperience:NJ includes:
- Exciting workshops and games designed to get students to laugh together, forget about their nerves, and learn a bit more about classical theatre and performance
- 3–6 presenting schools, each presenting 15–25 minute Shakespeare performances
- A Master of Revels encourages audience participation in short skits, game-show inspired contests, and other exciting entertainment opportunities
- Awards celebrating the day's triumphs with a tangible token of participation for every student and prizes for special achievement
- Adjudication: in keeping with the day's non-competitive nature, adjudicators look for unexpected moments of brilliance – the actor who steps up in a small role or the musician who contributes without a single word. The adjudicators also offer additional feedback to each group if desired.
Important Information
For more information, please contact the Education Department at Education@ShakespeareNJ.org or call (973) 845-6742.