Shakespeare High

With producer Brad Koepenick Q&A

Trailer Link: http://www.shakespearehigh.org/

USA, 2011
Director: Alex Rotaru
Cinematographer: Brian O’Connell
Editor: Drew Kilcoin
Composer: Nathaniel Blume
Cast: Tosh Hall, Melvin Emesibe, Sam Sterns, Colleen Greenhalgh, Marisa Gold, Galvin Emesibe
Running Time: 81 minutes

This documentary follows a group of high school students as they prepare to compete in the 90th Drama Teachers Association of Southern California Shakespeare Festival. Filming for more than two years, director Alex Rotaru chose 10 of the many high schools participating in the festival for his inspiring documentary. His team filmed rehearsals, interviewing teachers, the kids and some of their parents to create a sincere and exciting representation of the competition. The film deftly introduces a diverse and determined group of students, many of whom face poverty, gang violence, drugs and broken homes, struggling to build a brighter future through their high school drama program.

Rotaru remembers: “When my friend and producing partner Brad Koepenick told me we needed to film this Shakespeare competition, I wasn’t that interested. But then he sent me to be a jury member. I walked around in a daze with tears in my eyes. There were so many ways these kids were doing Shakespeare, showing how it could be set up or parodied. It was so good, I thought, If I can make a film that would convey just 10 percent of this enthusiasm, it’ll be great.”

Featuring interviews with DTASC alumni including Richard Dreyfuss, Val Kilmer, Mare Winningham and executive producer Kevin Spacey, this moving documentary is a powerful reminder of how theater and arts programs have a positive and dramatic impact on the lives of teenagers.

Note: Q&A discussion between filmmakers and audience adds approximately 30 minutes to running time.