Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026 of Shakespeare with Talent Unlimited High School

Hello again!

As I explained in my previous post, last year was a tough one for me when I lost my dad. While I went to California to be with him as often as my schedule would allow, I still needed to fulfill my responsibilities at Circle in the Square, which included grant applications and reports, marketing, and Arts Outreach with schools, one of which was this Shakespeare program with Talent Unlimited High School. One of Circle's annual auditors, who follows my blog, asked if I completed all of my work last year since I didn’t post anything here, so I’m back to say that yes, I did! This post will cover our TUHS work for both FY25 and FY26.

The layout was similar both years. We capped the sign-up sheet at 16 slots, with some reserve backup spots. This gave us enough time to really connect with each student and do meaningful work on each scene at TUHS on the Upper East Side of Manhattan before tech/dress rehearsal and the performance on the Broadway stage at Circle in the Square Theatre.

I direct this program each year, and, like the past couple of years, I asked Gretchen Schneider to direct half of the scenes while I directed the other half. This way, we were able to work in two classrooms at the same time with four students and two scenes per time slot.

Once we met with the students, we found scenes that they liked, then moved forward with rehearsals to practice voice and diction, projection, understanding of the characters and text, blocking, connection with their scene partner, and authentic acting. Working with Shakespeare’s heightened language is no small task. It demands curiosity, discipline, and the bravery to uncover emotional truth beneath the verse. Our young TU actors met this challenge with dedication and openness, and we are deeply proud of the work they brought to life.

I worked with our Artistic Director at Circle to find our Lighting and Sound Designer, Costume Designer, and their assistants, Stage Manager, and Poster and Program Designer; and at TU, we always welcome a student Production Assistant who assists our Stage Manager, learns the ropes of working in a professional theatre production, and is recognized in our program.

Once rehearsals are underway, Gretchen and I make notes for our Costume Designer, who comes to one of the rehearsals at TU and measures all of the students. I then start working on our production script, which includes an opening speech and introductions for each scene to give the audience an understanding of what’s happening in each play before the scene begins. I draw set plots for the script, write sound and light cues for our Lighting and Sound Designer, and create a detailed set and prop list for each scene, a marketing poster for our Art Designer to make pretty, and the program for the performance. As we get closer to the performance date, I write a to-do list for our tech/dress rehearsal, make sure we have all the props and set pieces we need, find door monitors to stay posted in the lobby during our days at Circle in the Square, and make sure all documents are printed and ready to go.

We always have our tech/dress rehearsal and performance at Circle in the Square so students can rehearse in full costume, lights, and sound before performing on the Broadway stage.

Both years went beautifully. It’s a lot of work in a fairly short amount of time, but the fulfillment of witnessing the students learn, thrive, and shine on stage is always deeply rewarding.

In 2025, tech/dress rehearsal was May 19 after one of my PS 11 Playmaking performances (it was a long day!), and the performance was May 26, Memorial Day, at 7:00 p.m. Here is a photo of Gretchen and me after that show:

Left to right: Gretchen and me after the May 26, 2025 performance

In 2026, tech/dress rehearsal was June 1, and the performance was June 7 at 8 p.m. Here are a couple of photos of us after that show:

Left to right: Gretchen and me after the June 7, 2026 performance

Left to right: Me and Gretchen after the June 7, 2026 performance

As always, while I love the photos of our students in costume, I never post photos of minors or identify them by name in order to protect their privacy.

It always takes a village to produce a strong residency process and student performance. A huge thank you to our student cast, our crew, Gretchen, TUHS, and Circle in the Square, with special gratitude to the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, District 5 Council Member Julie Menin, the New York City Council, and The Waldman Foundation for their funding support. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

AN EVENING OF SHAKESPEARE

Hi! I’m back.

We just successfully wrapped An Evening of Shakespeare—a scene night performance at the end of our annual arts outreach program with Talent Unlimited High School (TUHS) in Manhattan.

I direct this after-school program each year, and it always starts with a few grant applications I submit to the New York City Council and DCLA. Once we’re approved, I start planning, and work with TUHS drama teacher Ted Nusbaum to create a sign-up sheet and schedule. We have to cap the numbers at 20-24 students so that we have enough time to work in depth with each one, and so that the final performance doesn’t last too long with all of the scenes. While at TU, along with directing the scenes, we also teach voice and diction, help students understand Shakespeare’s heightened language, and guide them as they discover deeper aspects of their characters.

Rehearsals are always at TUHS on the Upper East Side in the classrooms and Black Box, and the final performance of the scenes are on the Broadway stage at Circle in the Square Theatre. We have one day prior to the show at Circle for the students to try on/fit costumes, then do a dress tech rehearsal on the stage.

During the planning process, I stay in tight communication with our COO of the Theatre and Theatre School, and School Artistic Director so that we find times when the current Broadway show and other School events running at Circle don’t interfere with our tech and performance and vice-versa. It’s not an easy task to share one Broadway stage (and also plan all blocking, entrances, and exits around the current Broadway stage setup that changes for each production), but we find a way each year thanks to the support of all involved.

Before the first rehearsal, I find a teaching artist to work with me, so that we can split the kids into two groups for more efficiency, especially since TU wants each student to only rehearse one day per week. When we rehearse twice a week, it’s with different scenes and students. For the past two years I’ve chosen Gretchen Schneider (actor, teaching artist, and fellow Circle in the Square alum) to work with me. We get along well, and she’s a passionate and talented scene director.

Gretchen directed half of the scenes with half of the kids, and I directed the other half. We met often to discuss scenes, ideas, and the progress and wellbeing of each student. Gretchen is also savvy and assiduous with costumes and props, and I’m grateful to her for her artistic contribution.

With some referrals from our Artistic Director, I also hired a Costume Designer, Assistant Costume Designer, Stage Manager, Lighting and Sound Designer; and each year I choose a TUHS student to be our Production Assistant to learn about theatre production, help our SM carry large set pieces on and off stage between scenes, and receive the deserved program credit.

Each year I create the program (before our Designer makes it pretty), and write a script that includes all scenes, with added sound and light cues for our Lighting and Sound Designer, plus descriptions before each scene that Gretchen and I narrate to the audience setting up the events that are about to take place.

Everyone did a fantastic job during the performance. Shakespeare is not easy for any student, especially while finding the emotional depth and expression of each character to play them honestly. Our young actors had the interest and courage to confront this challenge, which brings me great joy.

The audience showed enthusiastic support, and I love to see the accomplished exuberance the kids exude when we all visit in the lobby after the show. They worked hard, and deserve to celebrate. I’m very proud of them!

Thank you to Gretchen for her talent and care; our skilled performance crew; Circle in the Square; TUHS; NY City Council and District 5 Council Member Julie Menin; the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs; and NYSCA for helping this program thrive this year.

Next up on my work to-do list are the summer grant applications and reports. Wishing you all an adventurous, fulfilling, and/or restful, peaceful summer. I appreciate you and your time here!

Fellow Scene Director and Teaching Artist Gretchen Schneider (left) and me after the performance.