Shakespeare High
People:
Alex Rotaru (Director & Producer)
Brad Koepenick (Producer)
Lori Miller (Producer)
Ronnie Planalp (Producer)
Brian O’Connell (Co-Producer & Cinematographer)
Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti (Executive Producers)
Grants:
$20,000 for post-production, outreach and audience engagement in 2011
Awards:
Official Selection: Tribeca Film Festival 2011
About the Project
Shakespeare High is a riveting documentary about a socio-economic cross-section of teens in Southern California that study Shakespeare to compete in a drama Festival run by the many thousand-strong volunteer teacher organization: DTASC (Drama Teachers Association of Southern California).The film focuses primarily on under-served teens, highlighting the life-changing effect that this activity and competition have for them. It underscores the necessity of an arts curriculum and its effectiveness in saving lives and keeping young people engaged and in school.
Highlighted are a compelling group of teens with dramatic personal stories, including: Tosh, African-American, a sophomore; Luis, Latino, a sophomore; and Chris, Latino, a senior - all three former gangbangers from East LA’s Pacoima Valley on their last stop before juvenile prison. Nicole lives in Hesperia, an isolated, low-income desert community, and comes from a struggling family. Tommy was raised by his single mother in Hesperia after his parents - former prominent skin-heads - separated. Galvin and Melvin are African-American twin brothers who witnessed their father murder their mother and grandmother following an acrimonious divorce. Through their love of drama and involvement in DTASC, these determined kids - and others like them - overcome their difficulties and create the enduring foundations of better lives for themselves.
Several stage and screen celebrities, including Kevin Spacey, Val Kilmer, Richard Dreyfuss, and Mare Winningham - all DTASC alumni/ae - appear in the film to discuss and teach students hands-on the magic of drama and Shakespeare.