Hip - Shake Workshop February 28th!

Okay, this might seem like a strange comparison, but trust us, Shakespeare was a stone cold gangsta. With Hip-Shake, we’ll show you how the Grandmaster Bard and modern hip-hop artists use the English language in very similar ways. Here’s a few facts about Shakespeare that might just boost his street cred.

ONE A 1589 production of Comedy of Errors probably felt more like a rap concert than a trip to the opera. While the royal and elite audience members sat in private boxes, the ‘floor seats’ (standing room only) were available to the lower-class masses of ‘groundlings,’ as they were called. We don’t think there was a mosh pit, but it could get pretty raucous down there. Check out page 8 for more on the groundlings.

TWO Shakespeare came from nothing. His parents couldn’t read or write, but he managed to be- come one of the most prolific writers of all time. Not bad, huh?

THREE Don’t let the frilly clothes fool you. Shakespeare was tough. The year he was born, his town was hit with the Black Plague, and Baby Shakes survived. 50 Cent may have been hit with a few shells (he don’t walk with a limp,) but he never had to deal with the Plague.

FOUR Rap producer and artist Timbaland raised $800,000 for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Russell Simmons and Sean Combs are outspoken political activists. But Shakespeare wins again. Queen Elizabeth I was one of his biggest fans. Show me George Bush at a Snoop Dogg show and we’ll talk.

FIVE He didn’t think to add “-izzle” to any of them, but Shakespeare invented an estimated 1,700 words. Here’s a few of our favorites: assassin, bloody, critic, generous, gloomy, gnarled, laughable, lonely, majestic, and puke.

When Hip-Shake visits your class, you will have the chance to ask the characters any questions you like. Be creative! If something they say makes you wonder “why?” or “how?” make a note of it and ask when it is appropriate. We’ve even given you some space below for your notes! Here are a few subjects you might want to consider, but just use this as a starting point. What do you really want to know?

Blog info. courtesy of Syracuse Stage