Bard in the Classroom

Bring Shakespeare’s words alive and into the lives of your students! Students will explore Shakespeare as actors do with the guidance of our professional Teaching Artists. Virtual options also available!

Through playful exploration, students experience Shakespeare’s language and discover how it resonates for them. We’ll work with you to tailor your workshop to your students and your circumstances.

“This program is an absolute must! I saw children come out of their shells and excel in ways I never dreamed possible. The instructor was so skilled in both motivating and guiding the children through this amazing opportunity.” Teacher, Brooksbank Elementary

About our classroom workshops

What: A workshop can focus on a specific play, or it can be structured as a general introduction to Shakespeare’s language and imagery.

Where: At your school, in a classroom or theatre. See Bard in the Virtual Classroom for live, online options!

If you are based outside the Lower Mainland, we may be able to travel to you. If you prefer to travel to us, we may be able to host your workshop at the BMO Theatre Centre in Vancouver (subject to availability, please inquire).

When: Workshops are available year-round. Please submit your request at least 6 weeks in advance of the date you’d like to host the workshop.

Length: Up to 90 minutes long. We’ll adjust the length to fit your school’s bell schedule.

Cost: $150 per workshop (tax included)

Please note: Schools and community organizations can apply for financial assistance through the Bard Access Fund. Established in 2009 by the Bard Volunteers, the fund helps make our programs accessible to all.

Travel fees: Will be calculated based on actual travel expenses. In many cases, the Bard Access Fund can subsidise travel fees. Please inquire.

How does Bard in the Classroom connect to the BC Curriculum? Click here to read about how Bard Education’s programming can enhance your students’ learning within BC’s curriculum.

Request a Workshop

  1. Fill out the form below to request a session. Please submit this form at least 6 weeks before your preferred session date.
  2. We’ll email you to confirm whether we can meet your request.
  3. Watch A Shakesperience with your class and explore its ideas with our companion curriculum. This new and unconventional introduction to Shakespeare will help your students find resonance in Shakespeare’s words and imagery – and it’s FREE!
  4. A Teaching Artist will come to your school on the scheduled date to run your workshop.

FREE Supplementary Resources

  • A Shakesperience and its companion curriculum are available here.
  • More resources are available through our Discovery Zone.

Contact

For more information, please contact Melanie Hiepler, Education Coordinator, at [email protected].

2024 Classroom Workshop Request Form

Your Contact Information

School or Organization Information

Session Information

To request an additional session, please check the "Yes, I would like to request an additional session" button in the section below.
Have you and your students watched A Shakesperience yet, or will you have seen it before the session?
What kind of session would you like to request?
What would you like the workshop to be about?
Which virtual session would you like to request for your class?

Group Information

For example, English 10, Grade 7, etc.
We’re happy to work with any experience level. We’d just like to know so we can create the best session for your students.
Please list several dates and times that work for you. (For example, Friday, March 1st, 9:30 am-10:45 am or 12:30 pm-1:45 pm). In-person workshops can be up to 90 minutes long. Virtual sessions are 45 minutes long.
In what space will this workshop be held?
Bard Education welcomes everyone, regardless of their access needs. Having this information ahead of time will help us provide safe, inclusive, and supportive workshops.

Additional session

Session Information (second session)

Have you and your students watched A Shakesperience yet, or will you have seen it before the session?
What kind of session would you like to request?
What would you like the workshop to be about?
Which virtual session would you like to request for your class?

Group Information (second session)

For example, English 10, Grade 7, etc.
We’re happy to work with any experience level. We’d just like to know so we can create the best session for your students.
Please list several dates and times that work for you. (For example, Friday, March 1st, 9:30 am-10:45 am or 12:30 pm-1:45 pm). In-person workshops can be up to 90 minutes long. Virtual sessions are 45 minutes long.
In what space will this workshop be held?
Bard Education welcomes everyone, regardless of their access needs. Having this information ahead of time will help us provide safe, inclusive, and supportive workshops.

Additional session

Session Information (third session)

Have you and your students watched A Shakesperience yet, or will you have seen it before the session?
What kind of session would you like to request?
What would you like the workshop to be about?
Which virtual session would you like to request for your class?

Group Information (third session)

For example, English 10, Grade 7, etc.
We’re happy to work with any experience level. We’d just like to know so we can create the best session for your students.
Please list several dates and times that work for you. (For example, Friday, March 1st, 9:30 am-10:45 am or 12:30 pm-1:45 pm). In-person workshops can be up to 90 minutes long. Virtual sessions are 45 minutes long.
In what space will this workshop be held?
Bard Education welcomes everyone, regardless of their access needs. Having this information ahead of time will help us provide safe, inclusive, and supportive workshops.

Additional session

To request a fourth session, please email [email protected]

Technological Information

What video call software is your school using?
Please note: hosting via Bard Education's Zoom account is subject to availability.
How will you be sharing this video call with your class? *
If your class will be gathered in one room, we recommend connecting to the call through one device (for example, by connecting a laptop to a projector).
We find that these sessions work best when students and our Teaching Artist can see each other. Will your students be visible to the Teaching Artist during the session? *
Will your students have access to a microphone or chat to ask their questions? *

Classroom Agreement

I agree to remain in the classroom and participate during this/these session(s). If I cannot attend the workshop, I will arrange for another staff member to join my class.
I agree to hold this/these session(s) on a video conferencing platform that has been approved by my school. *
I will provide Bard Education with two guest access accounts to my school's virtual classroom for every virtual session I've requested. *

Financial subsidies

Thanks to the support of our funders and Festival patrons, we have funds available to subsidize qualifying groups' workshops through the Bard Access Fund (formerly known as the Bard Education Bursary). Although these funds are limited, we hope this will help make workshops with Bard on the Beach accessible to a wider audience of students and teachers.
Does your school need financial assistance?
Please note: We treat all workshop booking requests equally. A request for financial support has no impact on your request for workshops. Past financial assistance from Bard on the Beach does not guarantee future funding.

Financial support request

Last things

How did you hear about Bard Education's classroom workshops?
I am interested in receiving emails with more information about Bard Education programs, such as Student Group Bookings, Bard Youth Fest, Explore at Home resources, and Professional Development sessions for teachers.