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Stageplay
The play's the thing
The play's the thing
- Two visits to the United Kingdom; the first a trip in
August of 2006, where 13 11-18 year olds performed
Romeo & Juliet at a professional venue. The second
in July of 2008, where 16 teens aged 13-18 performed
A Bard Day's Night - Twelfth Night combined with
Beatles music - at Liverpool's Shakespeare in the City
celebration. Venues included The World Museum
and the Beatles very own Cavern Club.
- Performances of Romeo & Juliet and A Bard Day's
Night at the National Theatre's Saturday Morning
Series.
- A performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the
George Washington Masonic Temple, Alexandria,
VA on April 23rd, 2008 -- part of Shakespeare 24, a
worldwide celebration of Shakespeare's 440th birthday. - The StagePlay produced Shakespeare on the
Potomac Festival. A day long festival, created in 2005
to accommodate schools unable to perform at the
Folger Theatre's Secondary Schools Festival.
Festival sites include The George Washington
Memorial Theatre, Burgundy Farm School, Carl
Sandburg Middle School.
- Introducing hundreds of youngsters throughout the
Shakespeare!
| Festival commentators Brian Huynh (Shakespeare Theatre), Peter Marks (Theater Critic, Washington Post), Susan Lynskey (actress), Kathryn Kelley (actress) |
| StagePlayers get their first glimpse of The Prince's Theater. |
| Heather Sanderson serves up tea weekday afternoons on MPT. |
| Heather Sanderson as Amelia Tilford, in The Children's Hour at Theater on the Run, Arlington |
Why Shakespeare?
All StagePlay students are introduced to the life, times and stories of William Shakespeare.
Understanding Shakespeare exposes the student to a new culture, broadens horizons and, because the
Bard created over 3000 words, helps provide an understanding of the English language and its roots.
Students who learn Shakespeare from an early age, not only acquire the confidence that goes with
achievement, but also enjoy increased skills as readers, writers, speakers, listeners and actors.
Why the "play"?
Research shows that play has a crucial role in the learning and development of children. During play,
children can relax and, under the protection of play, can expose emotions with a feeling of safety. Group
play provides the rich experience youngsters need to learn social skills, become sensitive to other's needs
and to learn the rules for getting along. All of which lead to increased confidence and self-esteem. For older
children, play provides an outlet through which they may convey emotions they are unwilling to share
verbally.
Heather Sanderson
StagePlay founder Heather Sanderson studied under senior voice coach, Robert Palmer, at The Royal
Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London, England. Prior to moving to Virginia, Sanderson
performed extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sanderson can be seen weekday afternoons on
Maryland Public Television, where her Tea with Heather segments are part of MPT's popular Afternoon
Tea programming.
All StagePlay students are introduced to the life, times and stories of William Shakespeare.
Understanding Shakespeare exposes the student to a new culture, broadens horizons and, because the
Bard created over 3000 words, helps provide an understanding of the English language and its roots.
Students who learn Shakespeare from an early age, not only acquire the confidence that goes with
achievement, but also enjoy increased skills as readers, writers, speakers, listeners and actors.
Why the "play"?
Research shows that play has a crucial role in the learning and development of children. During play,
children can relax and, under the protection of play, can expose emotions with a feeling of safety. Group
play provides the rich experience youngsters need to learn social skills, become sensitive to other's needs
and to learn the rules for getting along. All of which lead to increased confidence and self-esteem. For older
children, play provides an outlet through which they may convey emotions they are unwilling to share
verbally.
Heather Sanderson
StagePlay founder Heather Sanderson studied under senior voice coach, Robert Palmer, at The Royal
Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London, England. Prior to moving to Virginia, Sanderson
performed extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sanderson can be seen weekday afternoons on
Maryland Public Television, where her Tea with Heather segments are part of MPT's popular Afternoon
Tea programming.
| Midsummer Night's Dream George Washington Masonic Memorial Temple April 23, 2008 |
| HeatHeather Sanderson serves up Shakespeare! |
StagePlay Accomplishments Include...