ShakesPEERS (formerly SE Project)
Shakespeare Theatre Company

How can rehearsing and performing classic texts allow me to see myself as a valuable, contributing part of the community? This question is at the center of all activities and components of the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s ShakesPEERS (formerly SE Project), a community based after-school theater program that focuses on the adaptation and performance of classic plays and on the creation of poems and stories.

Based in Washington, DC’s Southeast community, ShakesPEERS serves 250 students annually, in grades 4–12. In partnership with existing public and charter after-school activities, ShakesPEERS is a graduated program that gives young people a sense of commitment and continuity, while helping them discover their “inner artist.” Students begin with the Young Company Residency (grades 4–6), a series of literacy and drama workshops that meet for six- to eight week sessions and culminate in a final performance for family, friends, and the community.

To develop analytical skills, young people learn to identify themes in a chosen play and evaluate how their directional choices will make it accessible to a modern audience. Young Company participants continue their study of theater in the Core Company (ages 14–19), which meets twice a week. At this level, students prepare for an hour-long presentation of a Shakespeare play that they will perform at schools and for community organizations.