Parker Parent and Artistic Director Discusses Shakespeare with Freshmen

Parker welcomed Edward Hall, artistic director of Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Parker parent to freshman Savannah Hall, to help supplement the freshman class’s recent study of Shakespeare.

“As busy as he is, Ed made time for us,” Upper School English teacher Matt Laufer shared. “He was eager to, as he put it, help make our jobs easier, and he did just that.” This visit was perfectly timed with Laufer and Upper School English teacher Rex Shannon finishing Romeo and Juliet  in their English classes and Upper School English teacher Jeffery Berger-White beginning Othello in his class. “We knew Mr. Hall, known for his original interpretations of these plays, would have so much to add—about the plays themselves, about his experience with directing and producing them and about the playwright,” Laufer said.

Hall’s visit also helped to broaden the students’ understanding of the plays themselves. As Laufer shared, “My students were struck by how real and human he made the plays, and he brought new life to the drama at the heart of Romeo and Juliet in particular.”

Parker thanks Hall for taking time out of his busy schedule to come and help bolster the freshmen’s study of Shakespeare.

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