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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 45 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, Conval High School in Peterborough, NH, Mascenic High School in New Ipswich, Mosaic Explore Homeschool in Manchester, The Colonial Theatre education outreach in Keene; and conducted Shakespeare workshops at Bow High School, Heron Pond Elementary School in Milford, and Founders Academy in Manchester.

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Deborah is most proud of bringing PS students to Stratford-upon-Avon, England to perform her Hamlet (2014 & 2023) and Romeo & Juliet (2018) productions at the Royal Shakespeare Company's outdoor theatre, The Dell and The Thorington Theatre in Suffolk, UK.

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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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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. He currently lives and works in the UK including  at the Shakespeare Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.​

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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 graduated from the Theatre Studies at Wellesley College under the mentorship of Diego Arciniegas and Marta Rainer and The Bristol Old Vic school in England.  She currently resides in  London pursuing her acting career.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michelle Michaud

Robyn Larson McCarthy

Lydia Hatch

Zoe Wroton-Heinzmann

Jennifer Helsel

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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