Earlier this year, we asked members of our acting company to share their first experience with Shakespeare. When we posted these online, we heard from followers with anecdotes of their own beginnings with the Bard! Below are some of the stories that delighted us…
“My son, Jack, had to read MUCH ADO for his high school summer reading. I said Shakespeare was meant to be seen. Our first trip to HVSF – torrential downpour – actors starting and stopping and starting again. It was awesome! 10 years later, he has his Acting BFA, and we don’t miss a summer under the tent.“
– Hayley R.
“It was so long ago….I remember loving the look of books as a kid. At the end of first grade, I ‘borrowed’ (see also: stole) these beautiful small-format hardcover books from my sister. They had classical paintings on the front, linen-bound, great-smelling paper…And I was carrying ANTONY & CLEOPATRA around for months while I read it and reread it. From there, it just grew.“
– Kathzria D.
“I remember my mother and aunt taking me to A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM in Central Park. I was only about 3 or 4 but I still remember some of the magic. We went to these wonderful performances throughout my childhood.“
– Roxana B.
“Hard to remember but I think it was our middle school production of MACBETH. Most memorable was seeing it in the pouring rain at HVSF for a high school trip. I talk about that experience to this day.“
– Michelle K.
“My middle school English teacher took us to a small theatre in West Los Angeles to see KING LEAR. I was entranced! I can still see parts of the performance in my mind’s eye to this day.“
– Roxana B.
