Don’t Sweat the Bard Stuff
No point in denying it: For many, the plays of William Shakespeare can seem daunting. All that quirky language. Funny outfits.
It sounds like gibberish to my brain! … People prancing about in tights? No thanks! … I’m going to feel dumb surrounded by all those eggheads and experts!
Take a deep breath. Colorado Shakespeare Festival Outreach Director Amanda Giguere has a little secret for you:
“There are no ‘masters’ or ‘experts,’” she says. “If someone says they’re a Shakespeare expert, don’t believe them!”
But if you are a little nervous, here are a few tips to help you relax and enjoy the show.
Tip #1: Your Brain is Smart
It’s true: Shakespeare’s English can sound like Klingon or Elvish to modern ears. But your brain is one sharp cookie.
“We don’t hear or process every word even in normal conversation. Our brains pick up a handful of key words and make it make sense,” says CSF Resident Dramaturg Heidi Schmidt.
“If you’re struggling at first, you’re not alone,” she says. “Your brain is just busy adjusting to a different language style, and it takes a moment to acclimate.”
Tip #2: Frills and Collars and Tights? But why?
“We rarely have actors in pumpkin pants,” Giguere says with a laugh. “We approach Shakespeare from different time periods.”
Recent productions have staged productions riffing off ‘70s sitcoms,1930s Parisian café culture, a Catskills summer resort á la Dirty Dancing, and more.
Tip #3: Be Prepared
There are all kinds of ways to get familiar with Shakespeare,” Schmidt says.
You can watch filmed stage productions through Globe Player; take in a movie adaptation, such as West Side Story and Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes; listen to a podcast or watch a video by an exp…. Scratch that, an enthusiast—Schmidt suggests Marjorie Garber’s book Shakespeare After All and Emma Smith’s Approaching Shakespeare podcast.
Tip #4: Try a Nibble
“If you look at the text at all, it can be surprisingly helpful to read just the first and last lines of the play,” Giguere says.
Tip #5: Leave Your Books at Home
“I don’t recommend bringing the complete works and following along,” Giguere says wryly.
“Take off the training wheels and let the actors entertain you,” Schmidt adds. “If you hate it, next time you can bring your book—just sit in the back!”
Tip #6: Sample CSF’s Resources
Prologues happen 45 minutes before every performance and cover the historical context, characters, plot and themes of each play. Schmidt and Giguere write the content for these talks, and you’ll see one of them (or another CSF staffer) delivering them in person.
CSF offers education programs for adults and children. Go to cupresents.org/education.
Tip #7: Don’t Sweat the Bard Stuff
“Skip the homework and just show up,” Schmidt says. “You’ll catch on faster than you think. You’ll have a good time!”
Season and single tickets for Colorado Shakespeare Festival are on sale now at coloradoshakes.org.