February 26th, 2010
You’re going to have to trust me on this one. There is absolutely NOT ONE THING mundane, boring or run-of-the-mill where the name Angela Ward is concerned.
She is a fashion plate and a walking plethora of nearly extinct vocabulary, that is used in precisely the proper fashion…always.
She exudes energy and passion about life and…well, Shakespeare.
If you haven’t read him in years…or ever…
you simply can’t be around her for long without cracking open a volume of his complete works.
She joins us today for an interview about how to incorporate him into daily life from even the youngest age, why his works are so important to life, and to give us a “sneak peek” of her presentation at the upcoming FATJEF, April 24, 2010 in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Hel-lo, Mrs. Ward!…
Hello, Teri. It is so kind of you to feature me today.
Well, I can’t wait! You know how I adore you and appreciate your mentoring abilities. In my book you are simply A-MAZING! You could make a rock love Shakespeare!
I am curious to find out how you initially came to love him so.
I grew up in Florida, and began my acting career in high school; although it was a dream from childhood. At sixteen, I received a complete works of Shakespeare for Christmas and that was it. I read about the tragic heroine and lived and relived my life through her.
In my senior year of high school, I did a monologue of Lady MacBeth; and I won a contest that allowed me to go to Texas to perform at a college in Houston.
I enrolled at Auburn University where I double majored in theatre and communication.
I graduated early and began working professionally doing commercial and local theatre.
I then went to New York where I studied both at Playwrights Horizons off Broadway and Chekov Studios.
I got into the acting unions and I still belong.
That was very hard earned and I don’t intend to give it up.
I have a very understanding and supportive husband where this particular issue is concerned!
While in New York, I did dinner theatre, television, a cable television exercise program, and my all time favorite…
I danced in a turkey suit at La Guardia Airport while a brass band played on Thanksgiving Day!
I then went to graduate school at the University of Tennessee and acquired my MFA while there.
My post graduate work was done at the Royal National Theatre in London.
I had the privilege of working with some very high profile people in theatre while I was there and it was a lot of fun.
It was while I was a graduate student, that I developed an interest in theatre history and teaching; along with a love for scholarship and research.
My last “gig” before I decided that I needed to stay home and honor my call to motherhood, was with Mr. Bill Cosby on the 100th Anniversary of Jello!
You’re kidding, right?
No, I was the Champagne Jell-o girl ( that was the 100th Anniversary flavor), and Mr. Cosby, of course, was the spokesman.
Okay, I love him! How was he to work with?
He is a very genuinely nice man. A real pleasure to work with.
Recently, I had the privilege of doing some work at the University of Nebraska for doctoral credit with the Folger Shakespeare Library.
I am currently being mentored by the most prolific author and Renaissance expert in America today, which is a distinct privilege.
I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel to have been given this opportunity.
May I ask you why you feel so passionately that Shakespeare is relevant and must be a priority in every home?
Well, there are two reasons.
Shakespeare has just recently become very marginalized and misunderstood.
Historically speaking, you need to realize that Shakespeare has always been a vital part of the American bookshelf. Even in the colonies.
You could always find a volume of Shakespeare on the rudest pioneer shelf. (That is a reference from de Tocqueville, by the way.)
He was integral to Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson. John F. Kennedy’s wife, Jackie, quoted him right before his assassination.
The recent marginalization that I mentioned is due to the loss of ability on the part of individuals to use him for themselves.
Secondly, what we cognitively cloak our children in, affects their entire lives.
Shakespeare has been so perverted, that he is now used to promote agendas;
rather than allowing students to find the moral and cultural lessons that are there for the taking.
Can you share with us a little bit about what you will be offering at the FATJEF?
Well, this year I’m going to have some of the students perform so that parents and mentors can see what happens when the student is given the tools and the road map; and then is free to form opinions and ideas.
Shakespeare needs to use active methodologies in a hands on way.
I don’t mean to “whine”, but this can be difficult for parents and mentors who haven’t been taught the richness of Shakespeare themselves.
I know that you believe in total immersion very early on, and yet we could really benefit in a “how to” where this philosophy is concerned.
Care to share?
You know I would love to!
In Core and Love of Learning Phases, I really value exploration in a cross curriculum kind of way.
What does he say about honor, integrity, family, and friendships?
For my Core and Love of Learning Phases, I may start with a “Happy Birthday, Shakespeare!” party on April 23, which is his actual birthday.
Then, I would look in his plays for silly one liners and sayings, and we would practice those with one another.
I would play a game where everyone is given a highlighter and you’re to look for three words in a scene.
In this particular game, you’re actually reading and absorbing all of his words.
Dad and Mom can provide the commentary by reading aloud, while the kids act out what they are hearing.
You could fix and serve an Elizabethan treat of some kind and make a maypole.
I also highly recommend Charles and Mary Lamb’s Shakespearean Tales for Children.
It is a wonderful book, that is applicable for all ages.
Because it was written mid-19th century, it is a classic work in its own right. It isn’t fluff.
What you are aiming to do is to ignite passion and create a core desire for further study.
What about scholar age youth, or households with multiple phases present?
Well, I would definitely have scholar age youth participate in everything that I’ve already mentioned..
but now I would also have them begin to pull quotes line by line; to glean the understanding and also to search for application to life.
For example, in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was Shakespeare accurately quoting Athenian Law?
Was Eageus overbearing, or was he, as a father, protecting his daughter from what he knew to be inevitable?
We know historically that this play was performed in front of the Queen at a wedding, and that it’s about marriage, family, reconciliation and fidelity.
Where do you begin for “You, Not Them”?
First of all, don’t be intimidated by mis-teaching.
Get a good glossary/lexicon to explain the meanings of obscure words.
It is helpful to look at a timeline of world history so that you can see what inspired Shakespeare to write.
For example, the play “The Tempest” was written as he studied accounts of the founding of Jamestown.
These kinds of information are tremendously beneficial when studying his plays.
As you grow in your abilities, read other works and add criticisms.
He really is worthy of lifelong study…
and the more you study, the more you can add to that study.
It is an active methodology that should be in every home.
I can’t thank you enough for your commitment to the Leadership Education community, Angela.
I have worked with every form and level of education, and now with home educators for the last 9 years.
I dearly love working with and inspiring my students.
And inspire you do! I know that my sons feel privileged to just breathe your air!
Well, you’re very kind. I appreciate you and your time, Teri.
I can’t tell you how much I also appreciate your example of motherhood and willingness to serve individuals that the world often sees as unlovely.
Your fourth son has literally changed students lives. They adore him! You are a powerful example of mission and priorities and I thank you.
I feel very privileged to mentor my students and share insights with them.
One last thing…
Don’t use an ugly picture of me or Leadership Education goes out the window and I’m coming after you!
Mrs. Ward, this isn’t even an issue…
There ISN’T an ugly picture of you!
Passionate? Yes.
Ugly?
Never.
photos are courtesy of Angela Ward’s “MacBeth” and “King Lear” performances. Her troupe will be performing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on May 13, 14, and 15th, 2010. The performances are free and a schedule of locations will be available at the FATJEF.
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