Local school celebrates Shakespeare
Unicorns made an appearance at the Westminster School’s
Shakespeare Festival May 21. The mythical creatures, named Sparkle and Twinkle,
gave children rides, while the school celebrated the bard in a big way, with
costumed jugglers and mimes, a “fire fairy dance,” a maypole dance,
crafts, sonnet recitations, and performances of scenes from “Julius Caesar”
and “Romeo and Juliet” – plus some non-Shakespearean
activities like bounce houses.
Shakespeare Festival May 21. The mythical creatures, named Sparkle and Twinkle,
gave children rides, while the school celebrated the bard in a big way, with
costumed jugglers and mimes, a “fire fairy dance,” a maypole dance,
crafts, sonnet recitations, and performances of scenes from “Julius Caesar”
and “Romeo and Juliet” – plus some non-Shakespearean
activities like bounce houses.
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| Marc Antony gives an eloquent speech after the murder of Julius Caesar. |
The independent private school on Gallows Road in Annandale launched
its first-ever Shakespeare Festival because “we offer a classical education, and
Shakespeare is a big part of that,” said history teacher Gregory Glazier.
its first-ever Shakespeare Festival because “we offer a classical education, and
Shakespeare is a big part of that,” said history teacher Gregory Glazier.
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| Westminster has a selection of Shakespeare costumes. |
Westminster is one of two K-12 schools taking part in the Virginia Shakespeare Initiative, says Nancy Shuler, a Westminster administrator
and parent. The initiative was formed to shine a spotlight on Shakespeare’s genius
and impact in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of his death on April 23, 2016.
and parent. The initiative was formed to shine a spotlight on Shakespeare’s genius
and impact in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of his death on April 23, 2016.
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| Westminster board member and parent Tony Sarrge. |
All 220 members of Westminster’s student body participates
in the school’s annual Shakespeare play. The school also has a series of
stained glass windows dedicated to the bard.
in the school’s annual Shakespeare play. The school also has a series of
stained glass windows dedicated to the bard.
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| Jugglers, jesters and mimes roamed the school. |
