Bringing Shakespeare to Life: A Warwick Education Foundation Success Story

Bringing Shakespeare to Life: A Warwick Education Foundation Success Story

At Warwick High School, Shakespeare’s works are more than words on a page—they are an immersive experience. Thanks to the Experts in Residence Grant from the Warwick Education Foundation,10th and 12th-grade students experienced the Bard’s works in a most unforgettable way.

Dressed in full costume and brimming with enthusiasm, Mr. Daniel Kostelec, a talented Shakespeare re-enactor, transformed a typical classroom into a stage. Instead of students reading from a playbook, they engaged in entertaining performances of Romeo and Juliet (with the infamous “flying implement of doom”), Julius Caesar (with penguins), Macbeth (with flying kittens), and Twelfth Night, making Shakespeare’s language and stories accessible, memorable, and fun!

Christina Bracken, Language Arts Teacher, noted, “Feedback shows that students remember what they learned during the show; for many of them, this could be the only time they get to see Shakespeare performed in person, the way his works were meant to be shared.”

Lasting Impact on Learning

By immersing students in Shakespeare performances, students gain a richer comprehension of the plays’ themes, dramatic elements, and historical context. Even more, students connect with Mr. Kostelec’s modern references and rich humor, which make the plays easier to absorb.

“They understand the more recent pieces he adds to the plays and bring that knowledge back to the classroom. Teachers can then reference specific moments from the performances during their Shakespeare units knowing that everyone now has the same prior knowledge of his works,” explained Christina.

Student Reflections

Mr. Kostelec left a lasting impression on students who, too, are thrilled with the experience:

“I think it is a fun way to understand the play. I like how everyone gets to participate even if they aren’t called up.”

“I like that he gets people out of their shells and has everyone engaged in the story.”

“It was very entertaining and funny. Shakespeare was passionate about what he was doing.”

A Huge Thank You to Our Donors!

This incredible experience was made possible by the generous support of Warwick Education Foundation donors. Thanks to your contributions, students engaged with Shakespeare’s works in a lively, interactive, and educational way. Your support helps spark curiosity and bring literature to life in ways that leave a lasting impact on students’ learning journeys.

Here’s to making Shakespeare—and all great literature—exciting, accessible, and unforgettable for Warwick students!