American Players Theatre Trip supported by theatre works! grant

At the end of 2025, 6,175 students experienced a live Shakespeare production at American Players Theatre (APT), thanks to funding support from theatre works! and other grants.

Students travelled to APT’s Hill Theatre, an open air theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin, for student matinee performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Winter’s Tale. For many, it was their very first professional theatre experience and even their first encounter with Shakespeare performed live.

A Fresh Take on a Classic

This year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream sparked particular excitement among students. One senior reflected on the bold creative choices:

‘Although I had never seen Midsummer before, this production seemed very re inventive and interpretive. The stand out piece of directing was the choice to split the character of Puck into two actors. I can't imagine ever seeing Midsummer again without there being two Pucks!’

For others, simply understanding and enjoying Shakespeare felt like an achievement:

‘Before being told what the story was about I had no idea what I was getting into. I didn’t fully comprehend the Shakespearean English, but it was a really good show.’

‘It was a great play and was very interesting and funny for my first ever Shakespeare play.’

Students consistently praised the actors’ clarity, energy and humour:

‘The actors did a great job of telling the story in an understandable, genius, and hilarious way. I was laughing and smiling for the majority of the show.’

‘I learned a lot from how the actors made the story understandable with clear speaking and big actions even when the language could be hard to understand. I would definitely go again.’

For many young people, seeing Shakespeare come alive on stage transformed what can sometimes feel like a challenging classroom text into something vibrant and accessible.

Representation Matters

One particularly powerful moment came when a high school student met Joshua Castille, a deaf actor performing in the production. A teacher shared:

‘Moments like these truly highlight the power of representation and the importance of inclusive arts. Seeing themselves reflected on stage and connecting with someone who shares similar experiences is invaluable.’

Experiences like this demonstrate how theatre can do more than entertain. It can empower.

Workshops That Build Confidence

Alongside the performances, APT’s teaching artists delivered workshops to deepen students’ engagement with Shakespeare’s language and themes.

One middle school student shared:

‘I really really enjoyed the workshop. He made everyone participate. It was so much fun. One of my favorite things I've done this year.’

Another reflected on how it shifted their perspective:

‘The workshop gave me a different view on how to read Shakespeare.’

Teachers were equally enthusiastic:

‘The teaching artists got the kids to participate in ways I never imagined they would!’

‘David, Daniel and the other teaching artists did a fabulous job working with our students. My colleagues and I absolutely loved having them in our classrooms.’

These workshops encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones, experiment with language, and experience Shakespeare as something active and collaborative rather than distant or intimidating.

A Lasting Educational Impact

Educators reported that seeing the play performed dramatically improved students’ understanding when they returned to the text in class:

‘Our kids got a lot out of actually ‘seeing’ the play they had been reading performed. They were mesmerized by the action and loved the ‘Pucks.’ When we finished reading the rest of the play, they had a much better grasp of the characters and themes. We will definitely be back!’

For English teachers in particular, the impact was clear:

‘Any time I can have students enjoy Shakespeare is a win!’

Breaking Down Barriers to Access

For many of the 6,175 students who attended, cost can be a significant barrier to experiencing professional theatre. Funding from theatre works! helped ensure that young people regardless of background could access high quality live performance and participate in enriching workshops.

By supporting this visit to American Players Theatre, theatre works! has enabled many students to

• Experience live Shakespeare for the first time
• Deepen their classroom learning
• Build confidence through active workshops
• See inclusive representation on stage
• Create lasting memories of a shared cultural experience

As one student simply put it:

‘This was the first professional play I’ve gone to, and it was a very cool experience.’

We are proud to support opportunities that bring literature to life, open doors to creativity, and let young people know that theatre is for everyone.