MONROE - David Daniel brings an energy and enthusiasm to his Shakespeare classes that is rarely seen in high school English classes.
That's because schools break down Shakespeare "like dissecting a frog" to study it, the American Players Theater (APT) actor said.
"It's dead; it doesn't jump anymore," he said. "It's like shop classes that take apart a car. I don't want to take it apart; I want to drive it."
Daniel jumps when he's teaching. His actions and speech are unusually quick - or subdued, when the scene requires it.
"Circumstances differ," he said, "and you have to change what you do and how you react. It's not reality, but it's real."
Daniel was at the Monroe Arts Center Friday teaching students of the Shakespeare Project how to read and act the plays.
He is the educational director with APT, which has included an educational aspect since it began over 20 years ago. He has been with APT for nine years.
Daniel spends every day six months a year traveling to schools and community groups in Wisconsin and other states to bring Shakespeare lessons to pre-K to life-long learners. He sees about 1,400 people each fall and winter.
The Shakespeare Project was begun by Executive Director Jennifer Edge to help children learn about abuse and violence, and develop self-identity and self-esteem.
About 20 of her students are learning how to go beyond simply reading lines and developing characters in preparation of their upcoming performances at MAC in May. Edge has her own art therapy practice, but the project is getting some help from full-time assistant director Weston Roper and from art therapy intern Emma Fortune from Edgewood College.
"They will eventually choose a powerful Shakespearean character and learn how to take on the characteristics of that character," Edge said.
Edge started the project while working at the Alternative Charter School for three years in Monroe.
"That's where I learned Shakespeare spoke the language of the teenage experience," she said.
On Thursday afternoon, Daniel was teaching how to read verses one unit at a time to understand it in today's language.
"Lady, you are mad," Daniel quoted a passage. "What's he saying? Girl, you're crazy."
Punctuation is meant to be spoken, he told the class.
"It's a clue to the actor on how to speak. Shakespeare would get an F in grammar," he said.
The Shakespeare Project is becoming a non-profit agency called Shakespeare on the Edge, with Paula Vestin as its president. Vestin is the parent of three children in the project. Edge is hoping the agency can to expand her idea to include an adult aspect.
That's because schools break down Shakespeare "like dissecting a frog" to study it, the American Players Theater (APT) actor said.
"It's dead; it doesn't jump anymore," he said. "It's like shop classes that take apart a car. I don't want to take it apart; I want to drive it."
Daniel jumps when he's teaching. His actions and speech are unusually quick - or subdued, when the scene requires it.
"Circumstances differ," he said, "and you have to change what you do and how you react. It's not reality, but it's real."
Daniel was at the Monroe Arts Center Friday teaching students of the Shakespeare Project how to read and act the plays.
He is the educational director with APT, which has included an educational aspect since it began over 20 years ago. He has been with APT for nine years.
Daniel spends every day six months a year traveling to schools and community groups in Wisconsin and other states to bring Shakespeare lessons to pre-K to life-long learners. He sees about 1,400 people each fall and winter.
The Shakespeare Project was begun by Executive Director Jennifer Edge to help children learn about abuse and violence, and develop self-identity and self-esteem.
About 20 of her students are learning how to go beyond simply reading lines and developing characters in preparation of their upcoming performances at MAC in May. Edge has her own art therapy practice, but the project is getting some help from full-time assistant director Weston Roper and from art therapy intern Emma Fortune from Edgewood College.
"They will eventually choose a powerful Shakespearean character and learn how to take on the characteristics of that character," Edge said.
Edge started the project while working at the Alternative Charter School for three years in Monroe.
"That's where I learned Shakespeare spoke the language of the teenage experience," she said.
On Thursday afternoon, Daniel was teaching how to read verses one unit at a time to understand it in today's language.
"Lady, you are mad," Daniel quoted a passage. "What's he saying? Girl, you're crazy."
Punctuation is meant to be spoken, he told the class.
"It's a clue to the actor on how to speak. Shakespeare would get an F in grammar," he said.
The Shakespeare Project is becoming a non-profit agency called Shakespeare on the Edge, with Paula Vestin as its president. Vestin is the parent of three children in the project. Edge is hoping the agency can to expand her idea to include an adult aspect.