Shake It Up with Shakespeare

Shake It Up With Shakespeare Musical

Introduce your students to the world's most famous playwright in a way they'll never forget! Shake It Up With Shakespeare transforms the works of William Shakespeare into an entertaining musical experience that combines literature, music, drama, and humor into one engaging classroom and performance resource.

Designed specifically for elementary and middle school students, this clever musical introduces Shakespeare's life, language, plays, and lasting influence through memorable songs, an easy-to-learn rhyming script, famous quotations, and entertaining character moments. Students explore five of Shakespeare's best-known works while discovering how his words and ideas continue to influence modern language and storytelling.

Whether you're studying Shakespeare in the classroom, preparing a school performance, or looking for a creative way to connect music and language arts, Shake It Up With Shakespeare makes one of literature's most important figures approachable, engaging, and fun.

Why Teachers Love Shake It Up With Shakespeare

• Perfect for grades 3-6
• Approximately 20-minute running time
• Introduces Shakespeare in an age-appropriate way
• Supports language arts and literature curriculum
• Features six original songs for 2-part voices
• Easy-to-memorize rhyming script
• Includes famous Shakespeare quotes
• Combines music, theatre, and literary learning

A Fun Introduction to William Shakespeare

Students often encounter Shakespeare for the first time in upper elementary and middle school. This musical provides an engaging foundation by introducing his life, language, and storytelling through music and performance rather than traditional lecture-based instruction.

Featured Shakespeare Works

The musical explores five well-known Shakespeare plays, including examples of:

• Comedies
• Tragedies
• Historical Plays
• Famous Characters
• Memorable Quotations
• Classic Storytelling Themes

Perfect Cross-Curricular Learning

Shake It Up With Shakespeare naturally connects music education, theatre, language arts, literature, reading, speaking, and performance. It provides a creative way to reinforce classroom learning while giving students an opportunity to perform and present what they've learned.

Educational Themes

• William Shakespeare
• English Literature
• Poetry and Sonnets
• Drama and Theatre
• Storytelling
• Language Development
• Literary History
• Creative Expression

Why Shakespeare Still Matters Today

Many everyday words and phrases originated with Shakespeare. Through this musical, students discover how his influence extends far beyond the stage and continues to shape modern language, literature, and popular culture.

Educational Benefits

• Introduces students to Shakespeare and classic literature
• Supports language arts curriculum standards
• Builds confidence through performance
• Strengthens reading and speaking skills
• Develops musical and theatrical abilities
• Encourages appreciation for literature
• Creates meaningful cross-curricular learning experiences

Easy to Stage and Teach

The included choreography, staging suggestions, props guidance, and reproducible materials make it easy for music teachers and classroom educators to produce a successful performance with minimal preparation time.

Kit Includes

• Director's Book
• Student Songsheets (PDF)
• Script (PDF)
• Graphics Package
• Music Files (MP3)
• Piano/Vocal Arrangements
• Choreography Suggestions
• Performance Resources

Shake It Up With Shakespeare Frequently Asked Questions

What grades is Shake It Up With Shakespeare designed for?

The musical is recommended for students in grades 3-6.

How long is the performance?

The complete production runs approximately 20 minutes.

Who is this musical about?

The show introduces students to William Shakespeare, his writing, his famous plays, and his influence on literature and language.

Does the musical include actual Shakespeare quotes?

Yes. The script incorporates several of Shakespeare's most recognizable quotations in a student-friendly format.

What types of Shakespeare plays are featured?

The musical highlights examples of Shakespeare's comedies, tragedies, and historical plays.

Can this support language arts curriculum?

Absolutely. The production is an excellent cross-curricular resource connecting literature, drama, reading, writing, and music education.

Do students need prior knowledge of Shakespeare?

No. The musical was specifically designed as an introduction to Shakespeare and his works.

What voice parts are included?

The songs are written for 2-part voices and are accessible for elementary and middle school performers.

What materials are included in the kit?

The kit includes the Director's Book, PDF student songsheets, PDF script, graphics package, MP3 music files, choreography, and production resources.

Why is this musical popular with teachers?

It transforms Shakespeare from a potentially intimidating topic into a fun, memorable, and engaging learning experience students genuinely enjoy.