Romeo & Juliet: Literature + Theater Workshop

Discover Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy through the lens of both an English class and a theater workshop. In this interactive course, students will explore Romeo and Juliet as it was meant to be experienced: as a live performance.

Students will read and discuss key scenes from the play, learn how to understand Shakespeare’s language, explore character motivations, and examine themes such as family conflict, identity, loyalty, communication, choices, and consequences. Rather than simply analyzing the play on paper, students will bring the story to life through playful theater activities, creative exploration, and collaborative scene work.

During class, students can expect to:

• Read selected scenes from Romeo and Juliet aloud and explore their meaning

• Practice interpreting Shakespeare’s language and translating scenes into modern words

• Participate in fun theater activities that help students explore characters, emotions, and relationships in the story

• Experiment with voice, movement, expression, and creative choices to better understand how characters think and feel

• Discuss major themes and conflicts through group conversations

• Work collaboratively to bring scenes from the play to life through low-pressure, light-hearted staging and improvisation

By the end of the course, students will:

• Understand the major plot, characters, conflicts, and setting of Romeo and Juliet

• Have background knowledge of Elizabethan theater for context of the play’s debut

• Gain confidence approaching Shakespeare by learning how to unpack unfamiliar language, understand characters’ choices, and discover the meaning behind the words

• Analyze character motivations and the consequences of characters’ choices

• Strengthen speaking, listening, collaboration, and communication skills

• Practice interpreting literature through both written and dramatic responses

• Gain experience adapting and sharing a literary text with an audience in a supportive group setting

As a final showcase project, students will work together to select their favorite scene from Romeo and Juliet and prepare a light-hearted staged reading to share at the Harmony showcase. Students will collaborate on how to present the scene, make creative choices, and bring Shakespeare’s words to life—no previous acting experience expected, no acting skills required, and no memorization expected. The emphasis is on bringing fun and expression to the script and having a great time doing so--not on perfecting a flawless Shakespearean production!

In-class, we'll fill in our understanding of the missing scenes through storytelling.

For high school students who are looking to build English credit hours, optional coursework will be provided between classes. These assignments may include reading, reflections, literary analysis, character studies, and creative writing responses that extend the in-class experience. Families seeking English credit documentation can use these additional assignments alongside class participation to support their homeschool records.

This class is ideal for middle and high school students. Romeo and Juliet is a timeless Shakespearean play that explores themes of love, conflict, family, and tragedy. Because the play includes mature content, families should decide whether the material is appropriate for their student. Topics include romantic relationships, sexual innuendo, implied intimacy, violence, death, and suicide. 

Required Materials

All required in-class reading materials are included in tuition. Students will use selected excerpts and scenes from Romeo and Juliet during class.

Students completing the optional high school extension work will benefit from having a personal copy of the full play at home. A student-friendly version with language support, such as No Fear Shakespeare, is recommended.

Meet your Instructor:

Betsy Dusenske is the director of Harmony and brings a lifelong passion for theater, storytelling, and helping students find their confidence. With a degree in theater and years of experience as both a professional stage actress and theater educator, Betsy's passion is helping kids grow, learn, & create in a supportive environment. Betsy is excited to introduce students to Shakespeare in a way that feels approachable, engaging, and fun—using performance as a tool to deepen understanding and appreciation of the text.