21 May 2018
Marrickville High School is using unique cross-curricular teaching techniques in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) to engage students in Shakespeare as part of its inaugural Shakespeare Carnival held on Friday 11th May.
Drama teacher Zan Cross said, "The Shakespeare Carnival gives our students the opportunity to celebrate and explore the works of William Shakespeare in unique ways and to encourage the growth of creative arts at Marrickville High School".
In preparation for the carnival, selected students in Years 7 – 10 participated in a series of acting workshops. This group of students forms the Shakespeare Ensemble, who have regularly rehearsed in preparation for performances on the day of the carnival.
The workshops were run by professional actors Christopher Tomkinson, Sophie Gregg, Justin Smith, and Huw McKinnon, all of whom have worked with Sydney Shakespeare companies Bell Shakespeare and Sport For Jove.
In a cross-faculty approach, students also participated in "Shakespeare in STEAM workshops" on the day of the carnival. Students used Computer Aided Design and 3D printing techniques to create Shakespearean props, including a 3D-printed version of Yorick's skull from Hamlet. Smoke and light experiments in Science were used to produce a variety of stage effects that could be used in the first scene of Macbeth.
Two teams from Marrickville High School will join other high schools at the Regional Shakespeare Carnival on June 4.
