Suitable for KS3 and KS4 (Years 7–11)
Duration 2 hours
Group size up to 120 per session
Location at your school
Delivered by Professional actors
Shakespeare Remix Workshop for Secondary Schools
An energetic, two-hour workshop exploring Shakespeare through multiple plays. Students discover how performance, interpretation and direction bring Shakespeare to life, building confidence before they study any set text.
Make an EnquiryWhat Makes Our Shakespeare Remix Workshop Different
Rather than focusing on one play, students experience Shakespeare's world through a variety of scenes, discovering the skills that unlock every Shakespeare text.
The Whole Story, Made Clear
We begin by bringing an entire Shakespeare play to life using student volunteers, ensuring everyone understands the plot, characters and dramatic structure before exploring Shakespeare's language in greater depth. Schools can choose the play, or we're happy to recommend one that best suits the group.
Shakespeare Isn't Fixed
Students discover that Shakespeare never wrote stage directions explaining exactly how scenes should be performed. Through practical direction they learn that the same words can produce completely different meanings depending on voice, movement, staging and character choices.
Performance Creates Understanding
Rather than analysing Shakespeare from a desk, students become directors, critics and audience members. They experiment with different interpretations and discover how actors create comedy, tension and emotion through performance.
What Happens in the Remix Workshop
1 ➟ Experience a Complete Shakespeare Story
Student volunteers perform the complete story of a Shakespeare play, introducing the characters, relationships and major turning points. Schools may choose the play in advance, or we can recommend one that best suits the age group and curriculum.
2 ➟ Magic, Mystery and the Supernatural
Students explore the opening of Macbeth, discovering how the Weird Sisters immediately establish atmosphere and suspense. The scene is first performed in exaggerated pantomime style before being reimagined in near darkness with sound, silence and tension.
3 ➟ The Three Loves Experiment
Students then explore the opening exchange between Beatrice and Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing. The scene is performed three completely different ways. Students direct every version, experimenting with movement, staging, vocal delivery and physicality. It's one of the funniest parts of the workshop and leaves students with a powerful understanding that plays are designed to be performed rather than simply read.
4 ➟ Shakespeare Belongs on Stage
Students leave understanding that Shakespeare wrote plays, not novels. They gain the confidence to imagine characters, direct scenes and make informed interpretations whenever they encounter Shakespeare in the classroom.
KS3 and KS4 Curriculum Links
Our Shakespeare Remix workshop develops transferable skills that support every Shakespeare text taught at KS3 and GCSE. Students improve their understanding of performance, language, context and interpretation while building confidence with Shakespeare's writing.
English Literature
The workshop supports AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4 by helping students understand Shakespeare as a performed text. Practical exploration develops stronger personal responses, textual analysis and contextual understanding.
Shakespeare Through Performance
Students discover why Shakespeare wrote for actors rather than readers. By directing scenes themselves, they experience how voice, movement and staging shape meaning and audience response.
Context That Makes Sense
Historical context becomes memorable through practical performance. Students explore witchcraft, King James I and Jacobean beliefs before immediately seeing how that knowledge transforms the opening of Macbeth.
Interpretation and Analysis
The Beatrice and Benedick sequence demonstrates that Shakespeare supports multiple valid interpretations. Students discover how performance choices influence relationships, comedy and dramatic tension, strengthening analytical thinking for the coming years.
Spoken Language and Collaboration
Throughout the workshop students justify ideas, direct actors, debate interpretations and evaluate performances, developing confidence in speaking, listening and collaborative problem-solving.
Confidence With Shakespeare
Perhaps the greatest outcome is confidence. Students leave believing Shakespeare is something they can understand, enjoy and discuss, rather than something to be feared.
What Teachers Say About Our Workshop
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The performance was amazing and the students thoroughly enjoyed it. The actors know how to engage their audience and having the students take part playing roles really helped in maintaining their attention and focus. Having them change their delivery of certain lines towards the end also helped them understand the nuances of stagecraft and the writer's intentions. A brilliant morning - we can't wait to see you all again next year!"
- Ashleigh Moir, Head of English Literature, Walker Riverside Academy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This year, the team went above and beyond by designing a brand new workshop: a courtroom drama where Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were put on trial for the murder of King Duncan. Our students became solicitors and lawyers, using evidence from the play to build arguments and interrogate characters. Many of my students even used this experience to inform their English coursework...a perfect example of how Sky Blue Theatre blends creativity with curriculum."
- Katherine Oddy, English Teacher, Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate
What Your School Gains From The Experience
🎭 Themes
✓ Performance and interpretation
✓ Comedy and dramatic structure
✓ Atmosphere and suspense
✓ Context and historical influence
✓ Character relationships
✓ Audience response
✓ Stagecraft
✓ Shakespeare as theatre
🧠 Skills
✓ Textual analysis
✓ Interpretation
✓ Performance analysis
✓ Director's methodology
✓ Speaking and listening
✓ Critical thinking
✓ Collaboration
✓ GCSE preparation
👥 Who benefits?
✓ Year 7 transition
✓ Year 8 English
✓ Year 9 GCSE preparation
✓ GCSE enrichment
✓ Shakespeare Week
✓ Whole year groups
✓ Literacy events
✓ Schools introducing Shakespeare for the first time
🌟 Why Book
✓ 100% active pupil participation
✓ Zero coach or travel logistics
✓ Critical thinking and analysis
✓ Fits seamlessly into your timetable
✓ Highly cost-effective per pupil
✓ Mass capacity (up to 100 per session)
✓ Rated Outstanding by UK teachers
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One Hour Shakespeare
We also do 1-hour workshops that are designed for up to 60 students with a focus on the key scenes. Enquire for more details.
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FAQs
How long is the workshop?
The workshop runs for two hours, ideal as a morning or afternoon session. We can also deliver two workshops in a single day for larger year groups or for another Year Group, with up to 120 students per session.
How many students can take part?
Our secondary workshops work brilliantly with whole year groups of up to 120 students per session. Every student can participate, either through volunteering, directing, questioning or debating.
Is it suitable for all abilities?
Absolutely. The workshop is designed for mixed-ability groups and works particularly well for GCSE sets of all levels. Our actors adapt the depth of analysis and the pace of discussion to match the group in front of them.
What do you need from us on the day?
Very little. We simply need a suitable hall or large classroom, access to a plug socket if required, and a few members of staff to support behaviour in line with your usual school expectations. We bring the costumes, props, energy and expertise.
How do I book?
Simply complete our enquiry form and we'll normally reply within one working day with availability, pricing and any information you need.
What can pupils expect?
Expect a lively, practical workshop where pupils become part of the action. Using costumes, storytelling, performance and interactive activities, they explore Shakespeare's characters, themes and language by doing rather than simply watching. No previous acting experience is needed, and every child gets involved.
How far do you travel
We work with schools across the whole of England. Travel costs are factored into our quotation, and we regularly visit schools from Cornwall to Newcastle. Distance is never a barrier to an enquiry.
Is this suitable before students study Shakespeare?
Yes. Shakespeare Remix is specifically designed to build confidence before students begin studying a set text, making later classroom learning significantly more accessible.
Can you tailor workshops to the topics we're studying?
Yes. We regularly adapt our workshops to focus on the themes, characters and scenes your pupils are currently studying. If there are particular curriculum objectives or areas you'd like to reinforce, let us know when you enquire and we'll discuss how we can help.
Does it link to the KS3 and KS4 curriculum?
Yes. Our workshops are carefully designed to support the KS2 English curriculum, developing reading, speaking, listening, drama and writing skills while bringing Shakespeare's stories vividly to life.
Which Shakespeare play is used for the story?
Schools are welcome to choose from our current repertoire, or we're happy to recommend the play that best suits your students and curriculum.
Do your actors have DBS checks?
Yes. Every Shakespeare Rewired workshop is delivered by experienced professional actors who hold enhanced DBS certificates and regularly work in schools across the UK.
Payment
We invoice after the booking confirmation, and payment is due within two weeks of the workshop having taken place. We want the booking process to be as straightforward as possible for schools.
Booking lead time
We recommend booking months in advance to secure your preferred date, though we do have availability at shorter notice. Get in touch, and we'll let you know what's available.
Ready to Remix Shakespeare?
Whether you're introducing Shakespeare for the first time or preparing students for GCSE study, Shakespeare Remix gives young people the confidence to explore every play with curiosity, imagination and enthusiasm.
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Request Availability and Pricing
Complete the short form below and we'll usually respond within one working day with availability, pricing and the workshop that's right for your pupils.