Courtesy of A Noise Within via Facebook
A Noise Within is bringing William Shakespeare into the ‘homeschool classroom’ with a specialized course designed to make classical theater accessible and engaging for young learners. The Pasadena-based theater company will offer “Acting Fundamentals for Homeschool Ages 8–14: William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,'” an English Language Arts enrichment program that merges literary education with foundational acting techniques.
“Shakespeare’s plays are extraordinary tools for young people to develop literacy, imagination and empathy,” says Lea Madda, A Noise Within’s director of education. “Parents are often looking for learning experiences that are both academically meaningful and genuinely enjoyable for their children. This class meets students where they are, bringing Shakespeare’s language to life while building confidence, communication skills, and a lasting love of literature.”
The eight-week course runs Tuesdays from January 27 through March 17, meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Students will work through the entirety of Shakespeare’s magical comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” strengthening reading comprehension and language arts skills while learning foundational acting techniques.
Through guided story analysis, theater games and scene work, participants will build confidence, sharpen critical thinking, and discover the joy of classical theater in an engaging, supportive environment. The class stresses process-based learning rather than performance, with no requirement for students to memorize lines or present a final production.
A Noise Within has built its reputation on both acclaimed productions and robust arts education programs.
A Noise Within. Location: 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA. Phone: 626 356 3121. Email: boxoffice@anoisewithin.org. Visit anoisewithin.org/education/youth-classes.
