This week, Grade 9 students brought Shakespeare to life for all Grade 7 English classes through a series of engaging performances. Over the past two months, students have worked hard to adapt and edit shortened scripts, direct scenes, and rehearse their lines in preparation for their audience.

Seventeen students performed three classic plays – Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Macbeth. The project provided a meaningful opportunity to share learning and develop skills across both grades. For the Grade 9 actors, the experience deepened their understanding of the texts while building confidence and collaboration skills. Meanwhile, Grade 7 students experienced Shakespeare’s language and stories in a fresh and accessible way.

“The performances were very well received, particularly given that several of the actors had never performed on stage before,” said Annie Philip, Secondary Drama Teacher. “I was very proud of how they developed their confidence and performed with energy and animation.”

Ultimately, this initiative was much more than a classroom exercise. It demonstrated how theatre can be used to bring literature to life, strengthen understanding, and create joyful experiences for a wider community audience.