I have a new hero. Her name is Jennifer Bethel.
She is an art therapist who owns Primitive Soul Art Studio in Monroe and is the founder of a program called Shakespeare on the Edge. She directed a production of "Hamlet," presented at our Piazza last Saturday night.
The cast and crew of this mini-renaissance fair were all hard-working 12- to 17-year-olds. They delivered a performance that was impressive in many ways; conviction, energy, joy in what they were doing, a huge amount of memorization and they "acted" it, not just "delivered their lines." They truly understood it. This Shakespeare project changed their lives; you could see it in their eyes. They had been touched and moved and learned about themselves, about history and their world. In short ... they had grown.
I am sorry all lovers of the arts, Shakespeare, children's education and Green County did not see the magic that happened that night. Local businesses had donated a wealth of door prizes and silent auction items, but I am sad to say that this event was not well attended.
Next time Shakespeare on the Edge performs, I encourage everyone to get out and see what commitment, love, a great play, young people and a hero can do.
She is an art therapist who owns Primitive Soul Art Studio in Monroe and is the founder of a program called Shakespeare on the Edge. She directed a production of "Hamlet," presented at our Piazza last Saturday night.
The cast and crew of this mini-renaissance fair were all hard-working 12- to 17-year-olds. They delivered a performance that was impressive in many ways; conviction, energy, joy in what they were doing, a huge amount of memorization and they "acted" it, not just "delivered their lines." They truly understood it. This Shakespeare project changed their lives; you could see it in their eyes. They had been touched and moved and learned about themselves, about history and their world. In short ... they had grown.
I am sorry all lovers of the arts, Shakespeare, children's education and Green County did not see the magic that happened that night. Local businesses had donated a wealth of door prizes and silent auction items, but I am sad to say that this event was not well attended.
Next time Shakespeare on the Edge performs, I encourage everyone to get out and see what commitment, love, a great play, young people and a hero can do.
