Students from across the region DREAM together
When the voices of 250 high school students speak together in conversation with Shakespeare’s stories, it is pure magic. Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, now in its fifth year, is first and foremost about building community. Participants forge connections with fellow students from across the region through creative collaboration and discover the shared experiences that unite them. SLAM breaks down barriers as students become part of something bigger than themselves.
This year, teams from 30 high schools rehearsed with their teacher coaches, gathered (virtually) with the entire SLAM community for a series of workshops, and then designed, directed, and performed a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The experience culminated in two collective, filmed productions, each inextricably bound to the students’ own stories as their lives continue to collide with history in the making.
Join us in giving a "standing O" to the resilient students and teachers who took on this challenge amidst an undeniably difficult year and found their voices to create a beautiful story together. Get a taste of the program with our "Spotlight on Chicago Shakespeare SLAM" feature, or stream the full student performances online.
"SLAM gets students to step outside their comfort zones and engage with texts in a way they might not otherwise have the opportunity to do. They get to see that Shakespeare is accessible and relevant to them here and now."
–Samantha Chapleau, SLAM Teacher
"Getting to see the transformative power and growth in the students' confidence, not just in their performance but in their classrooms as well... makes it so worth it."
–eD Cisneros, SLAM Teacher
"The SLAM experience is always a highlight of the year for our students. The satisfaction they get from tackling Shakespeare and coming to understand that they can handle this material is always a joy to watch."
–Jonathan Meier, SLAM Teacher
Serving Students & Teachers, in Classrooms & Beyond
Through the arts, we find new pathways to empower and inspire the next generation. SLAM is one component of our nationally recognized Team Shakespeare initiative, which serves thousands virtually and in person
The yearlong Bard Core seminar for CPS English teachers introduces drama-based strategies for tackling Shakespeare and other challenging texts. A series of free workshops helps educators hone new skills while engaging with leading theater practitioners and literacy experts. Students benefit from an ever-growing catalog of Team Shakespeare Digital resources, as we prepare to welcome young audiences back to the Theater. Your support today will help us reach even more Chicago-area students and teachers with this critical work.