Stage It Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! Once you’ve purchased the Stage It guide, then you will be provided with a code to download and use the materials, including four abridged plays, any way you like. There are no additional or hidden fees. Stage It has intentionally been priced as low as possible to make it easily accessible.

  • Yes. Many successful school plays are directed by classroom teachers with no formal theater training.

    Think of it like this: you might do a lesson is science or math without being a scientist or mathematician. The same thing is true in theater. There are basic concepts that a good teacher can teach with a lesson plan.

    Stage It was specifically written to help teachers without theater backgrounds produce student performances.

  • Right here! Stage It provides short versions of Shakespeare’s plays edited specifically for students ages 9–12 and classroom performance based on research that shows that acting is a “developmental imperative” for this age group. If you’ve ever wondered why students are “natural born actors” during this stage of development, then Stage It helps to answer this question.

    The techniques can also be adapted for slightly younger or older students.

    Traditional Shakespeare scripts are written for professional adult actors. They are rarely practical for elementary or middle school classrooms.

    Shakespeare adaptations focus on:

    • Clear storytelling

    • Manageable scene lengths

    • Flexible casting

    • Minimal technical requirements

    The plays are designed so teachers do not need drama training. Blocking, pacing, and student comprehension are built into the structure of each script.

    These adaptations are especially effective for:

    • Reluctant readers

    • English language learners

    • Students who learn best through movement and collaboration

    By the end of the process, students understand Shakespeare because they have lived inside the story.

  • You will find a detailed breakdown under Outcomes & Standards. To summarize, students who participate in plays develop:

    • Confidence

    • Public speaking skills

    • Teamwork skills

    • Responsibility

    • Creativity

    These skills help students succeed both academically and personally.

  • Yes! The scripts and resource material were created so you have control over how much material you would like to do. You could choose from four to forty minutes. You could choose to do a whole play, an Act, or even to collaborate with colleagues across a grade with each teacher doing one Act. It’s entirely up to you.

  • The most effective way is to use a structured, step-by-step approach that helps students gradually build confidence and skills. Teachers should focus on helping students understand their characters, speak clearly, and move.

    Stage It provides a complete system that guides teachers through every step of the directing process.