Shakespeare has been a part of the high school English curriculum for about as long as there has been a high school English curriculum.  But making the Old Bard relevant to students today is not always an easy task.  However, one Tyrone High School English teacher and her students were able utilize their artistic and technological skills to create projects that were both educational and fun.

Senior honors English teacher Kathy Beigle used a teachable moment to inspire her students to create some exceptional video projects that brought Hamlet to life.

“Mrs. Beigle originally gave us two prompts for a four page analysis paper, but analysis papers are highly overrated,” said senior Carly Crofcheck.

After some initial complaints about the assignment, Beigle sparked a discussion with her honors class by asking what they would like to do instead. Students made numerous suggestions but the most popular alternatives were short films and artwork. Beigle seized the moment, set some rules and let the groups to get to work.

Two of her students chose to produce original artwork inspired by Hamlet and two groups of students chose to produce video reenactments of key scenes from the play.

“It was exciting to showcase my artistic abilities in an English assignment,” said senior artist Emily Beam.

In addition to their art, they were required to write  a one and a half page analysis of their project or a literary element in Hamlet.

For the groups interested in film, Beigle stipulated that the projects incorporate original text from the play as well as props. They also had to write a two page analysis paper.

“I was extremely pleased that some of the students took the initiative to take on a different assignment,” said Beigle, “Giving students choices allows them to showcase other talents that they may not usually have an opportunity to express.”

“Personally, I’m not a huge fan of Shakespeare,” admitted student director Sean McGovern. “But by doing a short film, it made Hamlet fun– especially filming with my crew.”

Both groups chose to reenact the final act and scene of Hamlet, where the protagonist, Hamlet, duels against his dead lover’s brother– but the classical Shakespeare ending never disappoints. Both Hamlet and Laertes, the King and the Queen die in the process of this dual leading to an unpredictable ending.

One group was comprised of Coy Focht, Drew Hunter, Will Lash, Anthony Politza, Sean McGovern, and Cullen Raftery.

They used an accumulation of props that included nerf guns, bath robes, crowns, wigs, bottles, cups, and swords. Over the course of three days, filming and editing the clips were finalized and the finished product was ready to be presented.

The other group consisted of Anna Baran, Carly Crofcheck, Erika Voyzey, Marlena Wagner, and Kendra Walker. The girls modernized the scene “street style,” as they called it. Using words like, “yo” and “homie” added a humorous satirical twist.

As the entire class watched and laughed at their peers, Mrs. Beigle was impressed by their hard work and interpretation.

Both groups agreed that finding time to get the cast together was the most difficult part, but it paid off for the final project.

“The best part was when it was over and we saw the final project. They were just so hilarious,” said senior Kendra Walker.

“It was one of my favorite assignments for English through my high school career,” said senior Anthony Politza.

Their teacher was pleased as well.

“I absolutely loved the final projects! Everyone went above and beyond, and I think they certainly enjoyed the process,” said Beigle.