Exeter, NH (March 11, 2009)—Phillips Exeter Academy will host the annual Rex A. McGuinn Conference on Shakespeare, June 21-26, 2009. The event is designed for educators who are interested in learning new techniques of teaching Shakespeare in the classroom. Teachers from public, private and parochial schools across the country are invited to interact with other educators during a five-day working conference that brings together academic and theatrical professionals, and others who love the ‘Bard of Avon.’

The conference brings educators from diverse backgrounds to the Academy to share their joys and challenges of teaching Shakespeare to adolescents, and to establish a network of support, advice and dialogue to sustain teachers during the academic year. The goal of the conference is to help teachers work with their students to reach a deeper understanding of Shakespeare.

Conference activities will include small, daily seminar groups conducted in the Harkness style#a student-centered learning style of listening and discussion#studying Shakespeare on film, in print, on stage, and possibly even through dance. Recently, the conference featured actors’ workshops and round-table discussions led by award-winning members of the Actors’ Shakespeare Project of Boston; participants last year joined renowned Shakespearean Marjorie Garber in conversation about the plays. Previous conferences have included discussions with acting professionals and discussions of the on-stage experience of Shakespeare, and how one can translate that into a classroom situation. Elizabethan dancers have also been part of the seminars. 

The conference is named in honor of McGuinn (1951–2002), a member of the English faculty at Phillips Exeter Academy. Established in 2001, the conference celebrates his career, which was devoted to promoting and advancing the study of Shakespeare among his students as well as collaborating with other teachers.

For more information, contact conference leaders at shakespeare@exeter.edu or call the conference office at (603) 777-4471. Visit the PEA website to also learn more about activities on campus, or call the PEA public events line at (603) 777-4309. Directions to the Academy are available at (603) 777-4330.