For more than two decades, Shakespeare and Co., a theater company based in Massachusetts, has come to the Hayground School in Bridgehampton to lead lessons on the language, imagery, and history of the Bard. The group's three-week residency will culminate Thursday in two performances of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by the students at Guild Hall.
Shakespeare and Co. describes "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as "a play peopled with fairies, young runaways, and amateur actors" and "rich with mischief and magic that delights and ignites the imagination."
The school faculty said in an announcement that the goal of the program is to make the works of William Shakespeare "accessible and inclusive." Various theater games and other activities help students understand the stories, emotions, and texts.
All 78 students at Hayground, who range in age from 3 to 13, plus the faculty members, have a hand in the production.
"I am so excited," said Gigi Jordan, 8. "I love the vivid scripts and being up on stage."
Arjun Achuthan, a Hayground faculty member, added: "I've learned all I know about Shakespeare from Shakespeare and Co. at Hayground. Every time is a novel experience."
Thursday's shows are at 1 and 6 p.m. Admission is by a suggested $15 donation, which benefits the Hayground School's visiting artists program. More information can be had by calling the school at 631-537-7068.
