Staples Students Share Shakespeare

It’s one thing for high school students to connect with Shakespeare.

Some do. An inspiring teacher or formative experience can help them understand the timeless appeal of The Bard’s explorations of life, love, death, revenge, grief, jealousy, murder, magic and mystery. 

It’s another thing entirely for third graders to get it.

But students at Edison Elementary School in Bridgeport are fortunate to have Chris Cormier as a teacher.

And Chris is fortunate to have connected with Diane Lowman.

Diane Lowman

For many years, Lowman — Westport’s first-ever poet laureate, who earned a master’s degree in Shakespeare studies through the University of Birmingham (in Stratford-upon-Avon) — has collaborated with “Mr. C,” and the Edison students.

She visits regularly, teaching them the ins and outs of the world’s most famous playwright. They are always eager to learn.

Earlier this year, Lowman contacted Staples Players directors David Roth and Kerry Long. Could the high school’s prestigious drama group help the Edison youngsters learn a bit more about Shakespeare?

Timing is everything, as we know from “Julius Caesar.”

Roth’s Theater III advanced acting class had been working on scenes from “Macbeth.”

So one morning this month, the Bridgeport boys and girls arrived excitedly at Staples.

They played a concentration game with Roth and the class. They talked about the Shakespeare plays they had studied.

Getting to know each other. Staples Players director David Roth is at left. Edison School teacher Chris Cormier is 6th from right.

They watched Roth’s class perform 2 “Macbeth” scenes. Afterward, the Edison children asked questions, about the play and theater in general.

A scene from “Macbeth,” with Cat Betit and Will McCrea.

Then — with everyone sitting on the Black Box floor — they enjoyed pizza and juice boxes.

A post-play treat.

Roth and Long were amazed at how much the youngsters knew, after just an hour a week with Cormier and Lowman.

“They asked great questions,” Long says. “They really understood what they were talking about, and raised questions about themes of the play.”

“It’s incredibly gratifying for this Shakespeare nerd to see the kids respond so positively, and make so many connections with The Bard,” Lowman adds.

“Having David, his students and Kerry bring this to life was such a treat. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship and an annual tradition.”

Learning together: Mikey Winkler and 3rd graders.

Roth and Long asked Lowman if she could do something similar, for more classs. Cormier said he’d help.

As for Cormier himself: Edison Elementary School has no budget to support trips like the one to Staples.

The cost for a bus is not insignificant. Students sold ice cream at Friday lunches for $1 each, but that did not cover the entire transportation and food bill. Cormier made up the difference.

“I know that Westport could easily pitch in,” Long says.

She and Roth have created a GoFundMe page, for donations.

Whether you’re a Shakespeare fan, or just want to help a group of Bridgeport kids expand their horizons, click here.

Because, as we all know, “Fortune reigns in gifts of the world.”

Theatre III and Edison Park students, with their teachers. (All photos/Kerry Long)