Students throw a few punches at Shakespeare workshop

By Violet Spader

March 27, 2008 12:40 am

— Punches were flying Wednesday evening at Enid High School as part of the first workshop for “Shakespeare: From Swords to Sonnets,” a joint venture between Enid Public Schools and Gaslight Theatre.
Director Kevin Coleman, of Shakespeare & Company, a Massachusetts-based theater company, taught around 20 Enid area students, in grades 7-12, the basics of stage combat. They learned how to do rolls, throw a theatrical punch and block imaginary swords.
First of all, Coleman taught them the three basic rules for stage combat safety: Maintain eye contact, reverse the flow of energy and the “victim” is in control.
“It’s most like a dance,” Coleman said. “You’re working together with a partner and making them look good.”
The hour-and-a-half workshop culminated in a mock sword fight, as students reenacted the final battle scene from “Macbeth.”
“Turn, hell-hound, turn,” the Macduff students yelled.
“Of all men else, I have avoided thee; but get thee back,” Macbeth students responded.
“I have no words; my voice is in my sword,” was the answer from the Macduff contingent.
Brothers Cody and Casey Hopkins, Oklahoma Bible Academy junior and freshman, respectively, said they enjoyed the workshop.
Cody, who participated in Gaslight Theatre’s recent teen production of “Twelfth Night” said the moves he learned from Coleman were more “intense” than what he had done before.
“Shakespeare: From Swords to Sonnets” is made possible through sponsors Ok-lahoma Natural Gas, Champlin Enterprises, Jon Ford, Security National Bank, Maple Place and Enid Public School Foundation.
EHS language arts teacher and project coordinator Mary McDonald said they’ve been planning the event for more than a year and have raised $10,000 for it.
Additional workshops this week include “Reveling in Shakespeare’s Language” Friday for grades 5-6 and stage combat training Saturday for adults and older teens. Today, EHS students will attend workshops during their English classes, and in the evening EPS teachers will have a professional development session, “Bringing Shakespeare Alive in the Classroom: Investigating Text.”
There is no charge for EPS students or adults involved in Gaslight Theatre’s upcoming production of “Richard III.” Students participating in the workshops will be able to participate in pre-shows for “Richard III,” performances of which are set for June 27-29.
Shakespeare & Company has trained actors such as Richard Dreyfuss, Andie Mc-Dowell and Keanu Reeves. Coleman has been with the company since its inception in 1978 and teaches text analysis, acting, scene study, stage combat and directing. Presenting with Coleman is Jo Anne Valle, of Shakespeare & Company.