MIDDLEBURY — At the second annual production of the Town Hall Theater’s “Shakespeare: It’s Elementary” program 110 students will perform “King Lear.” Performances are on Thursday, March 14, at 6 and 7:30 p.m.
Students from three fifth-grade classes at Mary Hogan Elementary and one class each at Leicester Central and Shoreham Elementary have worked for 10 weeks on all elements of text and performance, including reading comprehension, stage fighting and scene craft, among others.
“I’m so proud of their willingness to help each other and deal with issues of trust and violence,” said Education Director Lindsay Pontius. “This is a complex play about violence and loyalty and the kids are really rising to it.”
The Education Program was developed in 2011 with a three-fold mission: operating a studio program that includes an array of classes; partnering with the schools to integrate theater arts with the curriculum; and collaborating with other local cultural organizations to support the greater Addison County community. “Shakespeare: It’s Elementary” launched in spring 2012 with a 10-week curriculum in the classroom at Leicester, Shoreham and Mary Hogan elementary schools, culminating with a production of “Hamlet.” This year MCTV has been working with a group of students at Shoreham on a documentary about the making of this production of “King Lear.”
 “It’s not just the fact we’re bringing in a production that includes everyone in the classes,” said THT director Doug Anderson. “In a sense, entire schools are involved in this creative process.”
Ticketing priority will be given to families and members of the Mary Hogan Elementary, Leicester Central and Shoreham Elementary communities.