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MISSION STATEMENT

Project Shakespeare engages and inspires young theatre artists through the discovery
and exploration of classic texts utilizing voice, movement and stagecraft. Students build
an ensemble that values both the dramatic process as well as high-quality performance. In
this supportive and transformative environment centuries-old texts are given new life and
relevance for the students, audience, and community.

TRANSFORMING STUDENTS' LIVES THROUGH THEATRE EDUCATION

MEET THE TEAM

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DEBORAH SHAKESPEARE THURBER

Founder & Artistic Director

Deborah has over 40 years experience as a professional actor, theatre administrator, director, and educator. She received her MA in Theatre Education from Emerson College and has taught and directed throughout

New England at the elementary, high school and college levels. Most recently she taught Shakespeare In Performance at Franklin Pierce University.  In addition to directing for Project Shakespeare,  Deborah directed at Conant High School in Jaffery, NH and ConVal High School in Peterborough, NH, and Mosaic Explore Homeschool in Manchester.

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Deborah is most proud of bringing PS students to Stratford-upon-Avon, England to perform her Hamlet (2014) and Romeo & Juliet (2018) productions at the Royal Shakespeare Company's outdoor theatre,

The Dell.

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ANGELA VROOM GIVANT

Associate Director

Angela first fell in love with Shakespeare through her summers spent acting in Project Shakespeare during the program’s Boston years. While studying acting at Emerson College, she interned with Deborah as an assistant director and stage manager.

 

Since moving to Los Angeles she has helped develop the children’s theatre program of Red Dog Squadron, taught dramatic play, visual art and yoga at the Los Feliz Arts Charter School, travelled to India to learn to teach meditation, write screenplays and collaborate with a leading visual artists.

 

Angela has a beautiful and spirited daughter, Saskia, who shares her mother’s love for all things dramatic.

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TOR PETROV

Assistant Director & Fight Choreographer

Tor Petrov is an avid performer and has a long history with Project Shakespeare. Having completed his Bachelor's degree at McGill University, he's returned to the company as an Assistant Director and Fight Choreographer. In addition, he currently teaches at High Mowing Waldorf School and Pine hill Waldorf School. 

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In his spare time, he enjoys dramatic speeches, board games, and writing his own bios.

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CHRISTOPHER COMMANDER

Associate Director

After first setting foot on stage at the age of 5, Christopher has never taken a step off.

Falling in love with Shakespeare after seeing a production of Romeo and Juliet.

Going on to see, read and perform as much Shakespeare as he can.

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After being scouted out of High School, he went on to perform locally and internationally with roles including Romeo, Macbeth, Hamlet and Richard III. He has been trained by, and is a member of, The National Theatre of Great Britain and won the "Most Outstanding Male Performance" award for his portrayal of Nicky Lancaster in a production of The Vortex.

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Currently residing back in his home country of England, he returns to Project Shakespeare to direct and mentor act when his schedule allows.

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SARAH WENDY BURMAN

Associate Director

Sarah Wendy has been working with Project Shakespeare since she was 15, first as a student and now as a mentor actor and assistant director. In addition to acting, Sarah Wendy has training in voice, dance, and gymnastics.

 

Recent roles have included Macbeth in Macbeth, Viola in Twelfth Night, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing.

 

Sarah Wendy is currently pursuing a degree in Theatre Studies at Wellesley College under the mentorship of Diego Arciniegas and Marta Rainer. 

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KATIE WHITAKER

Former Stage Manager & Production Manager

After starting as an assistant stage manager in the summer of 2015 for Henry V, Katie has gone on to work on over 30 shows with Project Shakespeare over the past four years, including Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Romeo and Juliet.

 

Often traveling with Deborah for collaborations with organizations such as Mosaic Explore, Franklin Pierce University, and the Monadnock Waldorf School, she stays on top of the technical aspect of all PS shows.

 

Among other things, Katie also runs sound, does vocal work, trains aspiring stage managers, and works on social media for the company. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michelle Michaud

Robyn Larson McCarthy

Lydia Hatch

Stephanie Latini

Tina Zaffrann

Deborah Shakespeare Thurber

ADVISORY BOARD

Peter and Theresa Majoy

Keene Community Outreach

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Angela Vroom Givant

Associate Director and Consultant

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Larry Schwartz

PHC Tax Service

TECHNICAL
ASSISTANT

Kaitlynn Shea

HISTORY

Project Shakespeare is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides a process-oriented, professional, immersive experience into the world of Shakespeare’s plays for New England-area elementary, middle and high school students.

 

Founded in 1994 by Deborah Shakespeare Thurber, Project Shakespeare is now in residence in Jaffrey, NH. Our programs span year round.

 

The core of PS programming is our Summer Season of Shakespeare where for several weeks motivated students are engaged in a rigorous exploration of text, stagecraft, voice and movement culminating in a series of high-quality performances that tour to communities throughout the greater Monadnock region.

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One Play In One Week offers students during February and April school breaks the opportunity to rehearse and perform contemporary and classic texts.

 

In 2009, Project Shakespeare launched its annual holiday production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and in 2012 staged readings were added to the performance schedule.

 

In 2014, Project Shakespeare took nine students to Stratford-upon-Avon, England to perform Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company's outdoor theatre, The Dell. Eleven students returned in 2018 to perform Romeo and Juliet.

 

In 2015, Homeschool Theatre Classes was added for students of all ages. Over the years the offerings have expanded to Shakespeare In Performance, Book to Film and Poetry.

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